Hello everyone and welcome to a very long awaited entry into Jamie's Journal. I apologize that many of you are now experiencing the withdrawal of not having any journals lately to quench your Real Salt Lake thirst. The reason for the delay in getting you guys this new entry has been the fact we finally got to Salt Lake City (lovin' it so far!), and with the start of the season being this past weekend, I thought I would hold off until now so I can put a whole collection of thoughts together since finally getting moved in and going on my first road trip with the team. You know the drill: put up an away message, hold all calls, and try avoiding your boss for the next ten minutes while you are slacking off and reading Jamie's Journal.
You Call The Shots
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that people want this week's Feature Player of the Day to be ... yours truly! Apparently, many of you out there are wondering how I would answer the pressure-filled questions that I ask different players each week. Personally, I would much rather interview others so I can stay off the hot seat, but since there have been a few requests for it, I guess I'll look in the mirror and answer the questions I normally ask others.
How did you first get involved with soccer?
Jamie Watson: When I was younger, I played in the Coppell Youth Soccer Association for the Ninja Turtles. I also played baseball (does tee-ball count?) but I quit baseball to play soccer when I was about 7.
If you weren't a professional soccer player, what would you be doing?
JW: I don't know. I have always wanted to be a pro soccer player, so I never really had time to fall in love with something else like another sport or hobby.
Describe yourself in one word.
JW: Outgoing
How would your teammates describe you?
JW: When I asked our trainer Jake Joachim this question he said, "Do you want to know the truth or what makes you feel better?" Truthfully, I think they would say I'm a handful at times but a good guy.
Favorite American soccer player and favorite non-American soccer player
JW: If you ask Clint Mathis, he'll tell you I think that he is my favorite American player because when I was in residency with the U-17's, we played the full men's national team and after the game I got a picture with Clint (he swears I called him Mr. Mathis to get his attention, but we all know better), but truthfully I think Landon Donovan is a baller. My favorite non-American is Thierry Henry because he is just an amazing soccer player.
What is the something most people don't know about you?
JW: I really like listening to country music. Rascal Flatts is my favorite country group of all time. I also have a birthday coming up on the 10th of this month. Please send all birthday presents to the Real Salt Lake office c/o Jamie Watson (just kidding).
Best difference between college and pro soccer?
JW: The level of play is much higher and the intensity is awesome. I love playing for Real Salt Lake.
Proudest moment of your life off the field?
JW: Being so close with my brother, Brett. He was born with cerebral palsy and has always been confined to a wheelchair, but still, he and I are so close it's unbelievable.
Best player you have ever played against:
JW: Overall, Eddie Pope is so hard to play against. He's good, y'all.
What CD do you have in your car CD player?
JW: 50 Cent's new CD "The Massacre"
Word Association
Best fast food joint
JW: Taco Bell. I'll have a No. 7, chicken, with a crunchy taco and a Sprite, please (I have plenty of practice, trust me).
Favorite car
JW: Infinity G35
Rookie initiation
JW: Miserable. I can't wait to dish it out next year.
Salt Lake City
JW: A fun, small-town city with a big-city feel to it downtown.
Jamie's Journal
JW: Hopefully, it's going over well with the fans of Real.
Pick one
McDonalds or Wendy's
JW: Wendy's
Mint chocolate chip or cookies 'n' cream
JW: Cookies 'n' cream
Better way to score a goal, chipping the 'keeper or 'megging the 'keeper
JW: I prefer one-on-one's and any type of through ball with DJ Countess in goal. I think we all know where the ball ends up from there.
Kobe or Shaq
JW: Shaq; he's hilarious during interviews.
N*SYNC or Backstreet Boys
JW: neither (Haha, I can't believe all those guys answered this question!)
Jessica Simpson or Beyonce
JW: Jessica Simpson every day of the week. She's from Dallas, too.
Pele or Maradona
JW: Pele
Real Gets First Point Ever
A big congratulations is due for everyone associated with Real Salt Lake. From the fans to the staff and office all the way to the players and coaches, I want to say congrats on getting the first point in team history. That is something I will always be able to tell my kids, that I was there in person the night we got our first point in team history. Even though I didn't get in, just to be there was really cool and to be on the bench that windy and rainy night in New York was an awesome experience.
As far as the game goes, the funniest part of the night was watching a bunch of professional athletes swing and miss over and over again because the wind was so bad that the ball would move or make a sudden change of direction that nobody could possibly anticipate. Everyone out there at some point made a mistake due to the conditions, so a 0-0 score was just. I feel we should have won the game since we had about 14 shots in the second half with the wind to our back, but we couldn't find the net and the Metrostars were just sort of trying to survive with a 0-0 tie. There is this saying in professional soccer that you always try to at least get a tie or at best a win on the road and always win at home. If you do that then you'll be sitting pretty for a playoff berth with home-field advantage a possibility. Anyway, a big congrats was due for everyone's hard work. Let's go to Los Angeles and get some points this weekend.
First Impressions of Salt Lake City
My first impressions of Salt Lake City have been great. It is a lot different than I thought, but in a good way. Being downtown has been really cool. A lot of the guys on the team who haven't found a home yet are staying at the hotel where visiting teams stay when they come in on road trips. It's right in the heart of downtown, so there have been a lot of walks around town and rides on the TRAX (I think it's called that) to check out the sites and find places to eat during the day.
The people here are nice, too, and the neat thing to me is how the streets are labeled so easily. Back in D-town (Dallas) all the streets are just named different names and there is no real order, so this is a very efficient way to label the streets. Something I thought was really cool was the first day we had practice at the indoor facility and about 100 die-hard fans show up. We were trying so hard that day to do well for the fans that came because we wanted to make a good first impression. They say it takes 23 different meetings to change a person's first impression of something. They also say that 87.9 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot, but still we really did want to impress you fans and it meant a lot to see those of you who did make it out to training. Overall the transition to Salt Lake has been easy and I am looking forward to continuing to get to know my fellow Salt Lake Citizens (I think that makes sense).
Until next time, wish us luck against the L.A. Galaxy this weekend at 8 p.m. MT on Saturday. Also, wish the reserve team luck this Sunday, April 10, as we kick off the MLS Reserve League Season against the L.A. Reserves on my 19th Birthday. Until next time, take care everyone!
