CARSON, Calif. – Bradford Jamieson IV looks, acts and talks like an 18-year-old, but on Saturday, he showed in his first career start in Major League Soccer that his talent is mature beyond his years.
Making his first start of his young career in the LA Galaxy’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City, Jamieson didn’t look a step out of place. Filling in for the injured Robbie Keane, the teenager from Culver City was a threat each time he touched the ball as his speed stretched the Kansas City back four throughout his 90-minute appearance.
While some youngsters may have been overwhelmed by the magnitude of their first career start, Jamieson was cool and collected as he prepared the momentous occasion.
"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 throughout the season. … I tried to downplay it as much as possible and treat it like a regular day.
“To be honest I woke up at like eight and watched Netflix almost all day on my couch. 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. I think it's a good stepping stone in my career."
After watching American Dad and Barbershop 2: Back in Business on Netflix, Jamieson headed to StubHub Center and showcased the skills that he has provided for the club’s academy and USL affiliate Galaxy II.
Starting up top alongside Alan Gordon who is 15 years his senior, Jamieson’s pace and creativity provided the perfect complement to the veteran’s physical play. Just two minutes into the match, the pair almost opened the scoring when Jamieson made a lovely turn that nearly found Gordon open in front of goal. Following his near assist to Gordon, the youngster grew in confidence and continued to test the experienced Kansas City backline.
No moment better encapsulated his youthful bravado, however, quite like his daring back heel shot in the 76th minute that forced a remarkable save from Sporting goalkeeper Luis Marin. Even though the teenager couldn’t find the back of the net, he earned plenty of plaudits after the Galaxy’s latest win.
“[He’s] a player who played with a lot of confidence. He was aggressive. We told him that ‘when in doubt–run’. His pace, I think, was a factor in the game,” said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. “We lacked a little bit of speed, so having him in the lineup was important. At the end of the game, him and Gyasi, they were threats. They put Kansas City on their heels at times. It was a pretty impressive game for him.”
Added eventual game-winning goal scorer Omar Gonzalez, “Watching BJ out there giving guys hell was awesome. He has tremendous speed. He’s a great young talent. It’s great to see him out there on the field. I look forward to seeing more of him this year.”
Once Keane returns from his nagging groin injury, the captain will undoubtedly return to the starting lineup, but even if Jamieson finds himself on the bench next week, the gutsy teenager is eager to show that he deserves to be considered for major minutes in the future.
“It’s reassurance for people like Bruce [Arena] and the staff, they know that I’m a guy that’s dependable and this has been just one match,” Jamieson said. “The hardest thing is the next match and the one after that and the one after that.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
