MLS player determined to mark mark in second season at Dynamos

GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

DANIEL ISLAND, South Carolina, USA:

Last season tested him with a bumpy rookie ride. This year, Jamaica's Jason Johnson is confident adjustment to professional football life will establish him as a bigger force in Major League Soccer (MLS).

"Coming in as a rookie, a young player, it takes time to adjust to the situation and the environment," Johnson admitted prior to a preseason tournament game for Houston Dynamo last Saturday.

Now he's raised expectations for a second MLS campaign, which kicks off March 8.

"I have gotten over that rookie stage right now and, yes, I'm ready to make a big step," declared Johnson.

The good news for the 23-year-old from Happy News, St Ann, is that Houston believes. Coach Dominic Kinnear thinks 'JJ' has benefited from his MLS baptism.

"He's learned a lot about the league and about the team," Kinnear said.

"You expect a guy with his amount of talent, when he has a year under his belt, can make more progress during the preseason. So things have been okay for J.J."

Last year was a steep learning curve. Johnson left Virginia Commonwealth University after scoring 28 goals in 60 games. He signed a coveted Generation Adidas contract. Jamaica invited him for friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago, but Johnson appeared in only 13 MLS regular season matches, starting four, scoring one goal. He had another in CONCACAF Champions League, but made only one MLS playoff appearance as a substitute. It was meagre returns from the 13th pick in the MLS SuperDraft.

Good year's work

"Overall, performance-wise, I think I did a solid, good year's work," said Johnson, "but not good enough."

Despite support of Houston's Reggae Boyz Omar Cummings, Jermaine Taylor and, before he was traded, JeVaughn Watson, Johnson was slowed by the gap between college and North America's top pro league.

"The quality of play is not as great as the professional standard," said Johnson.

The T&T game was Johnson's first with Jamaica's seniors since his 2010 debut against Argentina. The experience perked his spirits. He entered Houston's 2014 preseason ready to make an impact. However, the competition for strikers is fierce. Giles Barnes and Will Bruin formed a solid 2013 tandem. Cummings appears fit again. The club also drafted striker Mark Sherrod in the first round this year.

Johnson has scored once this preseason, in Houston's first 'scrimmage'. On Saturday, against MLS club DC United, he was a second-half substitute in midfield, showing willingness to drive forward. He promises more.

"The first year wasn't so bad," he said. "Hopefully, this year I will be much better."

"(Johnson) demands a lot out of himself. He has great potential," said teammate Ricardo Clark, a United States international.

Houston play their second tournament game against MLS club Seattle Sounders. Johnson's confident going forward.

"I feel as if I do my best, I will play," he said. "I feel as if I can help the club."

Profile

Jason Johnson

Current Club: Houston Dynamo

Height: 6'

Weight: 180 lbs.

Birth Date: 10-09-1990

Birthplace: Jamaica