Jared Watts

Hometown: Statesville, North Carolina
College: Wake Forest
Citizenship: USA
Birth Date: February 3, 1992
Acquired: Selected by the Rapids with the 33rd overall selection (second round) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

MLS CAREER

2017

• Picked up his first assist at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, and only the third of his MLS career, in the opening-day win over New England Revolution (3/4).
• Started the first five games, alongside three different central defensive partners (Axel Sjöberg, Bobby Burling, and Kortne Ford).
• Sent off for the second time in his MLS career during the latter stages of the 2-1 home defeat by Real Salt Lake (4/15). Served his suspension during the 1-0 defeat at Minnesota United FC (4/23).
• Made his 50th MLS start in the 1-0 home loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5/5).
• Calf injury kept him out of the games at Philadelphia Union (5/20) and home to Sporting Kansas City (5/27).
• Started as a central midfielder in the 2-1 home win over Portland Timbers (6/17), but was subbed out early for Dillon Serna as the team struggled.
• Watts started the 1-0 loss at San Jose Earthquakes (7/29), which was his first start in six games.
• Scored an own-goal from 35 yards, with a mis-guided back-pass to Tim Howard, as the Rapids lost 1-0 at home to D.C. United (8/19). He was an unused substitute for the next three games, before starting four of the next five.
• His last game was at home to Montreal Impact (9/30), in which he was sent off for the second time in 2017, after just 12 minutes.
• Watts missed the final three games of the season due to him serving his suspension, and then undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.
• Equaled his career-high number of starts (18), which he first achieved in 2016.

2016

• Granted opportunities in 2016 due to injuries, Watts grabbed them with both hands and established himself within the tightest defense in MLS with career-high numbers.
• He made more appearances, more starts and played more minutes than either of his previous two seasons in the league.
• Watts started the first three games of the season, but sat out the next eight.
• The two injuries to Bobby Burling afforded Watts two lengthy spells in the side. With Watts starting, the Rapids were 6-3-9.
• He made his 50th appearance in MLS during the 2016 season, achieved in the 1-0 loss at Portland Timbers on October 16.

2015

• Undoubtedly, 2015 will be best remembered by second-year pro Jared Watts as the year in which he scored his first professional goal, which turned out to be the game-winner in the 3-1 home win over Real Salt Lake (7/11).
• His solitary assist was also key, coming as it did in the historic 1-0 win at Seattle Sounders FC (8/18) - the first win for the Rapids in Seattle.
• A toe injury prevented him from making more than the 13 appearances (12 starts).
• Although he made more appearances and starts (17/13) in his rookie season, Watts had never gone 90 minutes for more than two games in a row. In 2015 he started and went the distance in six successive matches, before injury struck.

2014

• Had a solid rookie season, starting 13 of his 17 appearances.
• Made his MLS debut on 3/29 against defending MLS Cup champions, Sporting Kansas City, playing the full 90 minutes.
• Had one assist in his rookie season, directing a header into the path of Dillon Serna for his spectacular volley at D.C. United (August 17).
• Pressed into service following injuries to central defenders Drew Moor and Shane O’Neill, but filled in admirably.
• Sustained a hamstring injury during the 4-3 home loss to LA Galaxy (Aug. 20), and sat out the next six games.
• Originally arrived as a defensive midfielder but played as a central defender.

NATIONAL TEAM

• Played for both the U-17 and U-20 youth national teams.
• Captain of the U.S. U-17 squad at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

COLLEGE

• As defensive midfielder at Wake Forest University, Watts was selected to the All-ACC first team for three consecutive seasons.
• Contributed five goals and 10 assists in his four years with the Demon Deacons.

YOUTH/CLUB

• Ranked as the 17th best recruit in the country in the class of 2010, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
• Named an NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American in 2008 and 2009.

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