The improbable rise of Jay DeMerit has been well-documented in American soccer circles since the former Chicago Fire PDL player signed with English Championship side Watford FC in 2004. Now through the drive and determination of some of DeMerit’s closest friends and many more small donors, the U.S. international’s unlikely rise from pub league player to World Cup starter is set to be released on big screens across the country with next Thursday’s release of “Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story”.
While former Fire head coach Bob Bradley and defender Carlos Bocanegra (who both make appearances in the film) will draw most of their experiences with DeMerit from their time together with the U.S. Men’s National Team, former Fire assistant Mike Matkovich (who was interviewed for the film last season) coached DeMerit before many knew who he was.
An assistant coach to Bret Hall on the 2001 Chicago Fire PDL team (then known as the Chicago Fire Reserves), Matkovich remembered DeMerit’s defensive contributions to the club’s inaugural Premier Development League side.
“Back then we played in a 3-5-2, playing with him as the marking back,” said Matkovich. “He was very good at marking and shutting players down. I have memories of him shutting down Pat Noonan who was playing with the Michigan Bucks at the time. You’d always put Jay on the opposing team’s key forward and he would do a very good job of snuffing them out. Beyond that he’s just a super freak athlete – he was very fast, decent with the ball but his strength was defending and marking on that side of the ball.”
DeMerit and Matkovich would help the side to a 15-4-1 regular season record and the Great Lakes Division crown before falling in the Conference Finals to the Sioux Falls SpitFire. Going undrafted by MLS teams following the season, it was one of DeMerit’s British teammates on the Fire Reserves, Kieren Keane that suggested DeMerit join him in trying to find a club overseas, what Matkovich deemed as, “a walkabout Europe, just looking for an opportunity to make a living playing.”
While it may seem crazy that 10 MLS teams would pass up a player that would go on to play in the English Premiership, Matkovich chalks it up to a small, chance happening.
“Obviously he tried in MLS a little bit. Every coach has a different eye, everyone’s looking for a different type of player. Its not surprising that a guy could slip through the cracks in that case, but it would have to be someone of Jay’s determination. Aside from his physical tools, I think the reason he succeeded came down to his mentality to compete every day. He shows up with a great work ethic, great attitude towards the game, always willing to listen and learn. For him, that went a long way in
Keane and DeMerit played together for Southall in the Combined Counties Football League, the ninth division of English football from 2003-04. It is well written that DeMerit made little money in the time, eating “beans and toast” to survive. The pair then moved to Northwood F.C. of the regional Isthmian League (seventh division) in 2004 where DeMerit’s hard work would pay off, impressing enough during a preseason match with Watford F.C. to earn a two-week trial with the Championship side.
The rest is history… DeMerit would go on to become a key player for the Hornets, eventually sealing the club’s promotion to the English Premiership as he headed in what would be the game winning goal in Watford’s 3-0 promotion playoff victory over Leeds United in 2006.
DeMerit would go on to forge his way into the U.S. Men’s National Team picture, eventually starting all four U.S. matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“The promotion goal and seeing him in the World Cup were very special moments,” said Matkovich. “You don’t get guys like him that come around too often. There was something unique there, I just think he needed the opportunity and this was the platform that gave it to him. On one side of me it didn’t surprise me that he made a career out of it, on the other side it did surprise me that he ended up in the Premiership playing against guys like Henry and Drogba every week. That was fabulous for him and it was neat to see a local guy like that come out of nothing to accomplish that.”
Above all, Matkovich, who now heads the Chicago Fire Juniors-South, credits DeMerit’s character for producing such an amazing story.
“Jay had the right mentality to be committed to make it. Some guys talk about it but he could actually do it. Honestly that’s what took him where he was, he was willing to sacrifice and suffer to accomplish his dream. It’s inspiring and I’m honored to have played some small part in that story. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie.”
The film debuts locally in Chicago at the AMC River East 21. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
