US International Jermaine Jones Arrives in Foxborough

Foxborough, arguably the best American player from the World Cup not named Tim Howard now plays in your backyard.

On Tuesday, US international Jermaine Jones spoke the the media for the first time as the member of the New England Revolution along side team president Brian Bilello, coach Jay Heaps, and general manager Mike Burns.

Jones was acquired by the Revs in a blind draw after them and the Chicago Fire expressed interest in the defensive midfielder.

“It’s something that we just can’t wait to see him out there, Bilello said. “On the field we know he’s not only going to be tremendous for himself, but raise the level for all our players.”

A move to MLS for Jones became public about a month ago when rumors about the Revolution’s interest began to appear online. At the same time, representatives for Jones began discussions with New England, aware of the team’s interest in the player.

“When you hear a player of Jermaine’s caliber is available we jumped at that,” Heaps said. “ We can’t always pick the players that we want but if you look at a spectrum of players, he’s the type that we wanted.”

Jones said that it was US National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann that encouraged him to play in MLS when he was contemplating a move. While admitting there were prospects in Europe, Jones said he wanted to be closer to his family in Los Angeles.

Revolution striker Charlie Davies also helped Jones with questions he had about playing on the turf field at Gilette Stadium rather than a grass pitch used in European soccer and many American MLS team.

“I talked with Charlie, he’s a good friend. A lot of people were talking about the turf pitch and he told me it’s a good pitch. It’s still turf but you can play on it. I was on that pitch and I have to say it’s a good turf and I’ll have no problem playing on that pitch,” Jones said.

A young squad which featured an average age of 23 in the starting lineup for last Saturday’s game against Chivas USA, Jones also brings a veteran’s presence missing in the Revolution locker room. At 32, Jones will likely be someone who the team will look up to based on his experience for the national team and in the German Bundesliga

“They’re looking for someone to lead and I think when he walked in that’s what the players felt,” Heaps said. “There is a certain excitement I think you can sense that today.”

Jones added that he expects to be one of those leaders for the squad.

“I watched the game against Chivas and they have a great roster and great players inside. I’ll tried to be one of those leaders but the team has to be in front and not only me,” Jones said.

Jones has not played since the World Cup and started training with the team on Tuesday morning, giving him a chance to meet a team he has only seen on TV and find that leadership role he is expected to take.

“After long break it’s not easy to come back but I will work hard and I come back good in shape. I already watched that game against Chivas so I know a couple of guys from TV so we have a good team and they showed today. I have to be there and anyone who knows me knows I’m a guy that does not like to lose,” Jones said

One of the more prominent American players, the German born, Chicago raised star spent most of his career playing in Germany, most notably for Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04. Last season, he moved to Turkish side Besiktas.

In international play, Jones has 46 caps for the US Men’s National Team and three goals. Jones most memorable play for the Americans came in the 2014 World Cup against Portugal when he tied the game in the 64th minute with a bending shot into the top right corner from the top of the penalty box.

Jones said he hopes to play in the Revolution’s next game on Saturday at Toronto FC.