SEATTLE — Seattle Sounders defender Joevin Jones’ performance since the beginning of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs has been nothing short of spectacular.
The 25-year-old Trinidadian left back has five assists in his last nine matches dating back to last season, including the game-winner in three of the last five Sounders wins. Whether it was whipping in the cross that led to Clint Dempsey's goal in Houston or beating a player off the dribble today leading to Jordan Morris' game-winner, Jones has displayed his full arsenal to start the 2017 season proving there may not be a single outside midfielder or defender in MLS who can slow him down.
“He’s the best left back in MLS,” said Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan. “He’s that good. Joevin is unpredictable. You see it in Jordan [Morris’] goal where [Jones] 'megs the guy and passes it to [Nicolas Lodeiro].”
Jones flew down the left flank with the score level at 1-1 and outran Red Bulls defender Sal Zizzo to corral a long over-the-top through ball. Jones turned the ball away from the endline and in one motion slipped the ball back through Zizzo’s legs toward goal. The defense collapsed, so Jones teed up Lodeiro, whose one-timed cross found a wide-open Morris at the back post for an easy headed tap-in and eventual game-winner in a 3-1 victory.
“The composure that [Jones] has is unfair almost,” said Roldan. “It’s crazy how good he is, how technically sound he is, and how fast he is.”
Said center back Gustav Svensson of Jones: “He controlled that game and did what he wanted to do with the ball. He was good defending as well. He helped us a lot.”
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer, while praising Jones’ attacking play, was quick to point out that so much of Jones’ holistic game is sometimes overlooked. He’s a fairly solid 1-on-1 defender and causes tons of difficulty for opposing wingers and strikers on the left side. Even when he makes those full-field runs, he has such pace he’s able to recover like few others can.
“I like Joevin for a lot of reasons,” Schmetzer said. “We’re working on his tactical awareness, but what makes him a good attacking player is he’s so technically clean and he’s got speed which is a God-given gift. It’s nothing you really develop.”
Jones’ next assignment will come with the Trinidad and Tobago national team for two important CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Panama on March 24 and against Mexico on March 28. He plays further up the pitch as a true winger for the Soca Warriors, so it should help him to continue to hone his attacking tendencies.
“[Jones has] got good technical ability, good speed and that’s something in our system where we want guys to go forward in those positions,” Schmetzer said. “It’s a good fit.”
