‘Tired’ Watson Rejoins Revs Before Next Jamaica Game
- Updated: February 8, 2017
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
Je-Vaughn Watson wasn’t going to lie about the way he felt following his first game of the winter with the Revolution on Tuesday.
Barely 72 hours removed from going the full 90 for Jamaica in its 1-0 loss to the U.S., the veteran defender gave it a go in Tuesday’s preseason tilt against Sporting Kansas City with little left in the tank.
“To be honest, I’m really tired, but it’s preseason, you’re supposed to be tired,” Watson told the media after the match. “After playing with Jamaica, [I] flew back here, I did a regen the next day because Jay [Heaps] is managing the players well. I did a regen and then I practiced, and then today he said I was going to play 45 [minutes]. I’m feeling good even though I’m tired.”
Watson entered Tuesday’s match in the second half stationed as a central midfielder, a spot he saw at various points during last season. Although the role didn’t make things any easier for the versatile veteran, Heaps had confidence that Watson and fellow recent National Team returnee Juan Agudelo could keep pace.
“It’s good to get them back in because they’re fit, but they’re with another group,” Heaps told the media after the match. “We want to get them back in with our guys, getting the chemistry right before we start the regular season in a couple weeks.”
Heaps mentioned that Watson’s return to camp will be brief as the Jamaican international will re-join the National Team ahead of next week’s friendly vs. Honduras in Houston, Tx.
However, the fact Watson made it a point to get some minutes with the Revolution in Arizona is a clear sign of his commitment to the club, and an indication of his belief in what can be accomplished following last year’s disappointing seventh-place finish.
“We’re looking forward to doing great things this season,” Watson said. “We didn’t make the playoffs last year, so we can’t make the same mistakes that we made last year. Everybody’s putting in the work and trying to be the best player they can throughout the team and the organization.”
And in Watson’s view, the Revolution need not look far to find the inspiration to do just that.
“Because as you see,” Watson said, “the Patriots win, so we’re greedy and we want to win something as well.”
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