Player Spotlight
L.A.'s Bradford Jamieson, 18, Starting to Hit His Stride
The Los Angeles Galaxy prospect has high hopes for the 2015 MLS season, and he just might play a key role in the United States' January push to qualify in the U-20 World Cup.
THE UNITED STATES under-20 national team concluded its trip to Honduras with a pair of 2-1 wins over the host country. The games marked the conclusion of a successful 2014 schedule and provided momentum heading into World Cup qualifying in January.
Bradford Jamieson IV has emerged late in the cycle and now appears to be an important part of the team’s attack. His first appearance with the team came in September during a trip to South America. During that time, the U.S. posted a 3-1 win over Defensa y Justicia, a 2-0 victory over Racing Club’s reserves, and a 1-1 draw against Argentina’s U-20s. Jamieson scored two goals in the Defensa y Justicia contest.
The U.S. U-20 team finished 2014 with a record of 6-1-2 in international competition and 12-2-2 overall (including games against club teams) this year.
“The mood of the team is very positive because a lot of the guys get along very well on and off the field,” Jamieson told American Soccer Now. “That’s a huge piece of having a successful squad. Good chemistry is something that coaches and players dream of. As far as the attitude of the team going into qualifying, we’re going to get the job done no matter what—and we’re going to have a good time doing it.”
The attacking positions on the U.S. U-20 team are tightly contested, with Jamieson vying for playing time with the likes of Amando Moreno, Zach Pfeffer, Andrija Novakovich, Tommy Thompson, Paul Arriola, Ben Spencer, and even full U.S. international Rubio Rubin.
“The team specializes in the depth we have,” Jamieson explained. “In so many positions we have so many guys that can step up and do the job just as well as the guy before him. You have so many guys that are very versatile with players who can play lots of different positions. That is a huge plus.”
Jamieson is in many ways the byproduct of many Major League Soccer initiatives for youth player development. After playing with top youth clubs in Southern California, he joined academies of two MLS teams—first Chivas USA and then the Los Angeles Galaxy. Earlier this year, he inked a homegrown contract with the Galaxy.
With playing time difficult to come by for a teenager, Jamieson spent most of the season training with the Galaxy first team but playing with the L.A. Galaxy II team, which competes in USL Pro. It’s a pathway MLS hopes to foster and the latest requirement that MLS teams either have their own USL team or an affiliate is geared toward giving young players serious minutes as opposed to riding benches.
Jamieson appeared in 20 games for Galaxy II this season, scored six goals.
“It prepared me pretty well, especially as far as the aggressiveness in terms of these guys having just as much intensity as the guys in MLS,” Jamieson said. “They’re playing for their families and they’re all very passionate about it. So it’s the ideal mindset for someone my age to be around someone as competitive as you are.”
“As far as development goes, I think it is going to be influential for the future of U.S. Soccer,” he added, referring to MLS' use of USL Pro reserve teams. “It’s big time. You look at other successful countries and successful leagues, you look at younger players and they need games to develop. At the end of the day, training isn’t the only thing that is going to help kids grow as players. You need games week in week out.
"It gives players a bridge to the gap of playing in the academy and playing in the first team. That’s a huge jump. It’s even good for players that aren’t super young who aren’t getting minutes with the first team.”
As most are aware, the Galaxy will be a team entering into a transitional phase next season following the retirement of Landon Donovan. The squad itself boasts a solid group of players in their prime but there is an aging core of attacking players—including league MVP Robbie Keane, Rob Friend, and Alan Gordon.
In 2014, Jamieson made two substitute appearances with the Galaxy's senior team and even notched an assist in his 23 total minutes. Next year, he is aiming to play an important role on a team that is most known for its high-priced veterans.
Ahead of the MLS Cup final, Jamieson was given a decision to either attend a fitness camp in Florida with the U.S. U-20 team or attend the American domestic league's ultimate game—despite having only a slim chance of making the matchday roster. The first person he consulted was Landon Donovan.
The all-time leading U.S. and MLS goal scorer reminded Jamieson that the opportunity to represent your country is special and that the chance to play in U-20 World Cup qualifying in January would be an honor.
“The veteran guys have all the knowledge,” Jamieson recalled. "I had a deep discussion about it and I ended up deciding to go to Florida. He was a big part of that decision.”
As for his future, a big part of what will happen is up to Jamieson and his ability to handle the spotlight. Most people seem to agree that Jamieson has the talent but the history of American soccer is full of examples of players who never made it because of the failure to handle the weight of expectations.
"He has the right mentality right now, but it continues to be challenging because people start talking to them and telling him how great they are, when in reality they aren't as good as they think," Arena told the Los Angeles Times. "It's going to take time, and only over time can we tell what type of player he's going to be."
Robbie Keane has made similar statements, pointing out that the potential in Jamieson is huge. When Jamieson made his professional debut in July, it was the Irishman who cashed in on Jamieson’s assist.
“I congratulated him on his first game because you always remember your first game and to set up an assist was certainly nice for him,” Keane said at the time. "He’s going to grow in confidence. But he can be proud of himself [getting] in his first game, getting his first assist, and as I said there will be a lot more to come from him.”
Jamieson is filled with confidence despite turning 18 in November. While last season was about getting his feet wet, he is adamant that next year he can begin to live up to the expectations.
“Next year I want to accomplish a lot more regular season appearances and starts,” Jamieson said. “I want next year to be a real breakout season. This was just scratching the surface this year. Next year I really want to be the guy people are starting to recognize a lot more.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
“The mood of the team is very positive because a lot of the guys get along very well on and off the field,” Jamieson told American Soccer Now. “That’s a huge piece of having a successful squad. Good chemistry is something that coaches and players dream of. As far as the attitude of the team going into qualifying, we’re going to get the job done no matter what—and we’re going to have a good time doing it.”
The attacking positions on the U.S. U-20 team are tightly contested, with Jamieson vying for playing time with the likes of Amando Moreno, Zach Pfeffer, Andrija Novakovich, Tommy Thompson, Paul Arriola, Ben Spencer, and even full U.S. international Rubio Rubin.
“The team specializes in the depth we have,” Jamieson explained. “In so many positions we have so many guys that can step up and do the job just as well as the guy before him. You have so many guys that are very versatile with players who can play lots of different positions. That is a huge plus.”
Jamieson is in many ways the byproduct of many Major League Soccer initiatives for youth player development. After playing with top youth clubs in Southern California, he joined academies of two MLS teams—first Chivas USA and then the Los Angeles Galaxy. Earlier this year, he inked a homegrown contract with the Galaxy.
With playing time difficult to come by for a teenager, Jamieson spent most of the season training with the Galaxy first team but playing with the L.A. Galaxy II team, which competes in USL Pro. It’s a pathway MLS hopes to foster and the latest requirement that MLS teams either have their own USL team or an affiliate is geared toward giving young players serious minutes as opposed to riding benches.
Jamieson appeared in 20 games for Galaxy II this season, scored six goals.
“It prepared me pretty well, especially as far as the aggressiveness in terms of these guys having just as much intensity as the guys in MLS,” Jamieson said. “They’re playing for their families and they’re all very passionate about it. So it’s the ideal mindset for someone my age to be around someone as competitive as you are.”
“As far as development goes, I think it is going to be influential for the future of U.S. Soccer,” he added, referring to MLS' use of USL Pro reserve teams. “It’s big time. You look at other successful countries and successful leagues, you look at younger players and they need games to develop. At the end of the day, training isn’t the only thing that is going to help kids grow as players. You need games week in week out.
"It gives players a bridge to the gap of playing in the academy and playing in the first team. That’s a huge jump. It’s even good for players that aren’t super young who aren’t getting minutes with the first team.”
As most are aware, the Galaxy will be a team entering into a transitional phase next season following the retirement of Landon Donovan. The squad itself boasts a solid group of players in their prime but there is an aging core of attacking players—including league MVP Robbie Keane, Rob Friend, and Alan Gordon.
In 2014, Jamieson made two substitute appearances with the Galaxy's senior team and even notched an assist in his 23 total minutes. Next year, he is aiming to play an important role on a team that is most known for its high-priced veterans.
Ahead of the MLS Cup final, Jamieson was given a decision to either attend a fitness camp in Florida with the U.S. U-20 team or attend the American domestic league's ultimate game—despite having only a slim chance of making the matchday roster. The first person he consulted was Landon Donovan.
The all-time leading U.S. and MLS goal scorer reminded Jamieson that the opportunity to represent your country is special and that the chance to play in U-20 World Cup qualifying in January would be an honor.
“The veteran guys have all the knowledge,” Jamieson recalled. "I had a deep discussion about it and I ended up deciding to go to Florida. He was a big part of that decision.”
As for his future, a big part of what will happen is up to Jamieson and his ability to handle the spotlight. Most people seem to agree that Jamieson has the talent but the history of American soccer is full of examples of players who never made it because of the failure to handle the weight of expectations.
"He has the right mentality right now, but it continues to be challenging because people start talking to them and telling him how great they are, when in reality they aren't as good as they think," Arena told the Los Angeles Times. "It's going to take time, and only over time can we tell what type of player he's going to be."
Robbie Keane has made similar statements, pointing out that the potential in Jamieson is huge. When Jamieson made his professional debut in July, it was the Irishman who cashed in on Jamieson’s assist.
“I congratulated him on his first game because you always remember your first game and to set up an assist was certainly nice for him,” Keane said at the time. "He’s going to grow in confidence. But he can be proud of himself [getting] in his first game, getting his first assist, and as I said there will be a lot more to come from him.”
Jamieson is filled with confidence despite turning 18 in November. While last season was about getting his feet wet, he is adamant that next year he can begin to live up to the expectations.
“Next year I want to accomplish a lot more regular season appearances and starts,” Jamieson said. “I want next year to be a real breakout season. This was just scratching the surface this year. Next year I really want to be the guy people are starting to recognize a lot more.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
