Bradford Jamieson IV showed flashes of his potential against Sporting Kansas City
By Ivan Yeo
Could Bradford Jamieson IV be the next one for the Los Angeles Galaxy?
The Galaxy’s youth academy have brought out some fine young talent throughout the last few seasons. Gyasi Zardes has been the most shining example as evidenced by his breakout 2014 season and his increasing role on the U.S. National team. Other players such as Jose Villarreal and Oscar Sorto haven’t had the same sort success as Zardes, but both are still highly regarded by the LA coaching staff.
The versatile Villarreal has filled in at numerous positions in the Galaxy lineup and Sorto, who spent time with the USMNT at the January camp, could be a fixture on the LA backline in the near future. Other players such as Mario Rodriguez and Paul Arriola have used their time at the Galaxy academy to land themselves spots on teams in Europe and Mexico.
After Saturday’s match against Sporting Kansas City, we might have to add Bradfird Jaimeson IV to the list of Galaxy academy prospects ready to burst out of the gates. Jaimeson IV got the start on Saturday night at forward alongside Alan Gordon, as head coach Bruce Arena preferred to rest Zardes just three days after he and Omar Gonzalez had returned from the United States’ 2-0 win over Mexico in San Antonio and Jamieson was given Zardes’ spot in the starting 11, not that he was seating the opportunity to start.
“I tried to downplay it as much as possible and treat it like a regular day,” Jamieson said. “To be honest I woke up at like eight and watched Netflix almost all day on my couch.”
Jaimeson showed flashes of why he was the latest to move from the Academy to the first team on Saturday night. In the 12th minute, Jaimeson took a ball from Stefan Ishizaki on the right side, immediately sprinted for goal and sidestepped Kevin Ellis on his way to the penalty area. Jamieson took a shot on goal, but it was deflected out for a corner. Later in the 76th minute, Jaimeson had a chance for a winning goal when Zardes led a Galaxy break from the left side, crossed a ball into the penalty area and Jaimeson back-heeled a ball past keeper Luis Marin, but just missed the far post by inches.
“A player who played with a lot of convinced,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said of Jamieson. “He was aggressive. We told him that when in doubt run. His pace, I think, was a factor in the game. We lacked a little of speed, so having him in the lineup was important.”
Saturday’s match was the continuation of the process of development for Jamieson, who was signed by the Galaxy straight from its academy back on February 20, 2014. Jamieson split his time between the first team and its USL side, LA Galaxy II. Jaimeson scored six goals with LAGII and was named the USL rookie of the year. Jamieson made his debut with the first team last July, ironically against Kansas City, and assisted on a Robbie Keane goal.
“The night before, it was a lot more surreal because I was like, tomorrow I’m going to be playing against Kansas City and how funny is it that it was against Kansas City last year that I got my first league assist and this year is my first MLS start,” Jamieson said.
You can’t blame Galaxy and the fans for feeling a little giddy about the Galaxy’s future after seeing Saturday’s game. How can you not be excited abut LA’s future after seeing Jamieson show flashes of his potential along with Zardes’ ascent. Hey, both players share the same hair do, so there is a similarity there. While both players are forwards, it appears Jaimeson’s future might be in the midfield, probably out wide, as Zardes’ size and skill makes him an ideal striker and of course, there is the reigning league MVP Robbie Keane.
“Games like this, when it’s your first MLS start, you really have to just have a solid performance for the fans and for the coaches;” Jamieson said. “I gave myself a lot of confidence tonight and that’s going to carry on the ought the season.”
As MLS teams start to rely more and more on their youth academy to pump in talent, the Galaxy appear to have that area nailed down pretty well. From Zardes to Villarreal and now Jamieson, the Galaxy are well ahead of the game, so don’t be surprised in a few years when were talking about the next Bradford Jaimeson IV.
