22. U.S. Soccer Legend- Jay DeMerit

Hi and welcome to the Tales From The Trail Podcast by MatchPlay. This episode is a big one for us. We welcome US Soccer legend Jay DeMerit. Jay played his college soccer at University of Illinois-Chicago and then decided and committed to pursuing his goal of becoming a professional footballer in Europe. We get into what he went through to finally see that happen for Watford FC. He was instrumental in them being promoted to the English Premier League (he scored a fantastic goal in their promotion match) and became captain at the club and became a beloved player. He built on that experience and made the US National Team. They bagged some legendary victories and competed in the 2010 World Cup. The next step of his career was becoming the captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS. Now retired from competition, Jay focuses on ventures that benefit youth and their development. Our conversation ranges from his recruiting story, his playing career, and how his program Rise and Shine truly is doing great things for kids. Justin Chezem, the men’s coach at Christopher Newport University and I were privileged to have him on the podcast and we’re certain that you’ll enjoy the conversation.

Jay D shares his journey from playing soccer in college to becoming a professional player for Watford FC. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and having a positive mindset. Jay also discusses the need for a new way of learning that is device-driven and focuses on individual strengths and interests. He highlights the benefits of playing multiple sports and the impact it has on personal development. Jay shares his experiences with professionalism and the support he received from his family and mentors. He concludes by discussing the Rise and Shine program and the development of an educational app. The conversation covers various topics related to coaching and engaging with fans in the digital age. The guest shares insights on adapting to the changing landscape and leveraging technology to benefit athletes. The host expresses appreciation for the guest's valuable input.

Takeaways

Be prepared and have a positive mindset to achieve success.

Create a new way of learning that is device-driven and focuses on individual strengths and interests.

Playing multiple sports can have a positive impact on personal development.

Support from family and mentors is crucial in pursuing your goals.

Teach high performance and help individuals develop their true potential.

Embrace opportunities and be open to new experiences. Adapting to the digital age is essential for coaches and athletes to stay relevant and connect with fans.

Technology can be used as a tool to enhance coaching methods and improve athlete performance.

Engaging with fans through social media and digital platforms can increase fan loyalty and support.

Appreciation and gratitude are important in building relationships and fostering a positive coaching environment.

Chapters

00:00 Preparing for Success

08:14 Creating a New Way of Learning

13:16 The Importance of Playing Multiple Sports

23:42 Taking the Leap to Play Professionally

36:07 Support from Family and Mentors

41:08 Playing for Watford FC

47:42 Experiences with Professionalism

57:16 The Rise and Shine Program

01:10:06 Teaching High Performance