CARSON, Calif. – Bradford Jamieson IV was one of the standouts of the U.S. Under-20’s run to qualify the U-20 World Cup and now the 18-year-old has his sights set on carving out a larger role with the LA Galaxy’s first team.
Jamieson was a regular for Tab Ramos’ side as he appeared in all six of the U-20’s matches at the 2015 U-20 CONCACAF Championship, making five starts. During his time in Jamaica, the Galaxy Homegrown product showcased his finishing acumen as he scored two goals including a crucial finish against Trinidad and Tobago that saw the Americans through to a decisive playoff game against El Salvador.
In the do-or-die match against El Salvador, Jamieson once again earned the start up front as the U-20’s qualified for this summer’s U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Even though the U.S. started the tournament slowly, Jamieson was left pleased with the way the Americans battled back to earn a place in the World Cup this summer.
“It was a trip to remember,” Jamieson recently told reporters. “We didn’t get the results that we wanted at the beginning of the tournament which put us in a difficult place, but as a team we came through and it brought us closer together, and we ended up getting the job done and qualifying.
“[The experience] will definitely carry over to the club level and it’s going to stick with me because I’ve experienced it. We played so many games and every game was a final and that [tournament] helped me develop the mentality to learn that each game is a final … It gave me a lot of confidence.”
While helping the U-20’s qualify for the World Cup, the 18-year-old was never alone as he was supported by his family who were in attendance and shown prominently during broadcasts of each U.S. match.
“It was beautiful,” Jamieson said. “It was like when I made my MLS debut against Sporting Kansas City and I had my mom and my brother there. When you have those special moments in your career and also have loved ones present, it makes it even better.”
Back from international duty, Jamieson has already made two appearances with the Galaxy during preseason, putting in 45-minute shifts in preseason scrimmages against Cal-State Fullerton and Georgetown.
In both matches, Jamieson played along the right side serving as the chief back-up behind Stefan Ishizaki. But despite playing primarily wide right this preseason, Jamieson showed during his 2014 campaign with Galaxy II and with the U-20’s that he can play on both sides of midfield as well as up top.
That versatility could be Jamieson’s route to the first team especially with the Galaxy lacking depth along the left side of midfield since the retirement of Landon Donovan. Heading into his second full season as a professional, the precocious teenager is totally aware that the opportunity is there for him to make his mark not just with Los Dos, but the first team as well.
“Playing out wide is something that I love to do and I want to contribute in that spot, but I need to stay strong and treat every game like it’s a final and treat every training session like it is preparation for a final,” said Jamieson. “I want to earn regular minutes and to make strides with the first team and while I’m not going to turn down playing time, first team football is what I have my heart set on.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
