CARSON, Calif. – Bradford Jamieson IV returned to the LA Galaxy from the US Under-20 team's successful World Cup qualifying campaign with loads of confidence, superb fitness and excellent form. Now he's trying to make a real run toward a Galaxy starting job.
The 18-year-old Homegrown Player, who started five of six games and scored a couple of goals during last month's CONCACAF U-20 qualifying tournament in Jamaica, gave a thrilling performance in LA's preseason victory last week over the Seattle Sounders and hopes to bolster his credentials during the club's 11-day trek to Europe.
He's seeing time on the left side of midfield – the position opened when Landon Donovan retired following the Galaxy's MLS Cup triumph in December – and looks like a viable candidate, despite the fact that he played only brief minutes in two league games for LA as a rookie last year. He can help his cause with strong outings Monday against Hammarby in Stockholm and Feb. 21 against Shamrock Rovers in Dublin.
“BJ played well against Seattle – I thought he was brilliant,” captain Robbie Keane said before LA left Wednesday for Ireland. “He was very aggressive going forward. I keep telling him he has so much ability, that if he gets 1-v-1 against somebody, it's very difficult to stop him.
“It's important that he keeps that up. I tell these young kids [not to] be passive in games. Stamp your authority on the game, show people what you can do. ... You should always try to express yourself.”
Jamieson did so last year with Galaxy II, the club's USL-based reserve team, making 22 appearances in all with six goals and three assists. He came off the bench in first-team encounters July 19 at Sporting Kansas City, contributing an assist in a 2-1 loss, and in an Aug. 8 draw with San Jose.
“We thought he had an outstanding year last year for Galaxy II,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “He's still young, and I believe he has another growth spurt ahead of him. He just needs a little bit more experience, but he's an attacking player that plays with confidence. And he's not shy about taking on players, which is something we think is a real positive.
“I think in time he's going to develop into a good player.”
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Jamieson, who stands 6-foot-1 and from afar resembles teammate Gyasi Zardes, thanks to the blond stripe through his hair, can play up top or wide, just like Zardes.
Arena says he thinks Jamieson is best utilized on the wing.
“Playing out wide is something I love to do, so, obviously, I want to be able to contribute to that spot...,” said Jamieson, who is expected to be away with the U-20s for the May 30-June 20 World Cup in New Zealand. “Mentality-wise, I'm going to stay strong and treat every game like a final and treat every training session, every preparation, like a final because I want to see regular minutes and make more strides forward with the first team.”
He says his experience in U-20 qualifying – and the tough road the US took to get through, posting four straight shutouts after conceding late goals to tie Guatemala and lose to Panama in their first two group-stage games – has made him a better, bolder player.
“[I have] lots of confidence. Lots of confidence,” he said. “And it's a good thing. It's not cockiness, it's having belief in myself, and confidence is a very important part of the game.”
Scott French covers the LA Galaxy for MLSsoccer.com.
