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<SPAN class=sommario><P class=MsoBodyText><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><DIV id=Articolo_ei1_p1>
<DIV id=Articolo_ei1_p2></DIV><DIV><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">30/01/2007 20.35
</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Interview: Jay DeMerit, Watford Defender
Jay DeMerit’s fairy tale rise from obscure college soccer player to English Premier League standout has turned him into somewhat of a cult hero on both sides of the pond.
</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Indeed, Jay DeMerit, a native of Green Bay, Wisc., is the beautiful game’s version of “Rudy” and Rocky Balboa all rolled into one.
Although the 27-year-old defender played with Chicago Fire Premier, the reserves for the Chicago Fire in the USL Premier Development League, DeMerit -- virtually unheard of in American soccer circles until last spring – was not drafted by a Major League Soccer team after playing for the University of Illinois-Chicago. He also has never played for the U.S. national team at any level. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">In 2003, DeMerit took the advice of a friend he met while playing on the Fire reserve squad and moved to England with a dream of playing pro soccer and with just $1,800 in his wallet. In July 2004, DeMerit, who took advantage of his European Union work status because of his Danish grandfather, got a chance to play with Northwood FC, a semi-pro team. But it was his performance in a preseason game that earned him a two-week trial with Watford of the League Championship, England’s second division. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Following the tryout, DeMerit – who could pass for Matt Damon’s doppelganger – signed a one-year contract with the team. He has been a regular in the Watford line-up ever since. Last season, Watford was expected by many to fight relegation from the Championship to League One. Surprisingly, Watford finished third in the standings, earning the right to enter the playoffs for the last of three Premiership promotion spots. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">A corner kick during the playoff final against Leeds United last May at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, changed DeMerit’s life forever. When Ashley Young lofted the corner kick high into the Leeds penalty box, DeMerit was able to put a head on it and the ball was in the back of the net for the game’s first – and winning – goal. He eventually was named “Player of the Game” as Watford won, 3-0, and earned promotion. DeMerit was rewarded with a contract extension, taking him through to the end of the 2008-09 season. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">DeMerit, who has scored two goals in 21 league games this season, is a fan favorite at Vicarage Road. His presence on the field has encouraged many Watford fans to break out into chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and “Jay-Jay-Jay from the U.S.A!” each time he gets the ball. DeMerit’s size (he is 6-foot-1 and 185-pounds) and aerial prowess typically puts the fear of God into even the most seasoned Premiership striker, although that hasn’t been enough for Watford this season. The team is currently in last place and in a bitter battle with five other clubs to avoid relegation.</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Goal.com’s Clemente Lisi caught up with DeMerit recently and asked him about life in England, whether Watford can avoid the drop this spring and if he dreams of donning the U.S. national team jersey someday.</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style
<DIV id=Articolo_ei1_p2></DIV><DIV><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">30/01/2007 20.35</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Interview: Jay DeMerit, Watford Defender
Jay DeMerit’s fairy tale rise from obscure college soccer player to English Premier League standout has turned him into somewhat of a cult hero on both sides of the pond.
</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Indeed, Jay DeMerit, a native of Green Bay, Wisc., is the beautiful game’s version of “Rudy” and Rocky Balboa all rolled into one.
Although the 27-year-old defender played with Chicago Fire Premier, the reserves for the Chicago Fire in the USL Premier Development League, DeMerit -- virtually unheard of in American soccer circles until last spring – was not drafted by a Major League Soccer team after playing for the University of Illinois-Chicago. He also has never played for the U.S. national team at any level. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">In 2003, DeMerit took the advice of a friend he met while playing on the Fire reserve squad and moved to England with a dream of playing pro soccer and with just $1,800 in his wallet. In July 2004, DeMerit, who took advantage of his European Union work status because of his Danish grandfather, got a chance to play with Northwood FC, a semi-pro team. But it was his performance in a preseason game that earned him a two-week trial with Watford of the League Championship, England’s second division. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Following the tryout, DeMerit – who could pass for Matt Damon’s doppelganger – signed a one-year contract with the team. He has been a regular in the Watford line-up ever since. Last season, Watford was expected by many to fight relegation from the Championship to League One. Surprisingly, Watford finished third in the standings, earning the right to enter the playoffs for the last of three Premiership promotion spots. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">A corner kick during the playoff final against Leeds United last May at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, changed DeMerit’s life forever. When Ashley Young lofted the corner kick high into the Leeds penalty box, DeMerit was able to put a head on it and the ball was in the back of the net for the game’s first – and winning – goal. He eventually was named “Player of the Game” as Watford won, 3-0, and earned promotion. DeMerit was rewarded with a contract extension, taking him through to the end of the 2008-09 season. </SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">DeMerit, who has scored two goals in 21 league games this season, is a fan favorite at Vicarage Road. His presence on the field has encouraged many Watford fans to break out into chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and “Jay-Jay-Jay from the U.S.A!” each time he gets the ball. DeMerit’s size (he is 6-foot-1 and 185-pounds) and aerial prowess typically puts the fear of God into even the most seasoned Premiership striker, although that hasn’t been enough for Watford this season. The team is currently in last place and in a bitter battle with five other clubs to avoid relegation.</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Goal.com’s Clemente Lisi caught up with DeMerit recently and asked him about life in England, whether Watford can avoid the drop this spring and if he dreams of donning the U.S. national team jersey someday.</SPAN><P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style