HOUSTON – Je-Vaughn Watson doesn’t just bring years of MLS experience, versatility, speed and physicality to the New England Revolution. He brings all of those qualities immediately.
Watson, officially acquired via trade from FC Dallas on Friday morning, is currently with the Revolution in Texas ahead of Sunday afternoon’s season opener against the Houston Dynamo. He’ll likely feature in the game day squad, and could even be in the mix for a spot in New England’s starting lineup.
“I’m always ready to play, always ready to run because I’m a runner,” Watson said on Friday afternoon. “No matter if I’m fit or not, you’re going to get 100 percent out of me in the game. If the coach calls on me, I’m going to do my best to make sure the Revolution win the three points.”
Fitness isn’t much of an issue for Watson, who’s been training with the Revs for the past 10 days after joining up with the team during preseason in Tucson, Arizona.
Watson – who can play in central midfield, on the wing, or across the backline – started at right back for the Revolution in their Desert Diamond Cup finale against Columbus Crew SC. The 32-year-old played 63 minutes and earned unsolicited praise from head coach Jay Heaps.
“I think he’s right there,” Heaps said when asked if Watson is ready to contribute immediately. “We were excited to get him [to Tucson] and see where he was at, and we’re excited that we were able to put together the trade and finalize everything to be ready for the first game.
“He’ll add an immediate impact, for sure.”
Watson’s short-term goal is to contribute on Sunday, but the Jamaican international is also thinking big picture. He’s been close to an MLS Cup title before – he featured in the 2011 final when his Dynamo fell to the LA Galaxy – and that’s only made his hunger to win a championship even stronger.
In New England, Watson’s hoping the Revolution’s first MLS Cup title can be his first, as well.
“The main reason I’m here is to win trophies for the team,” Watson said. “It seems like everybody’s on the same page here. We’re here to do what we’ve got to do because at the end of the day, we want to top the conference so we can head toward the final.”
