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NCAA men Simpson leaves Portland to sign contract with England's Millwall.
"This is a dream come true for me," Simpson said after signing. "I'm really looking forward to the challenge and hope that I get a chance to play in front of the Millwall fans as soon as possible." The Lions, who finished 10th in England's second tier last season at 18-13-15, open their 2004-05 campaign tomorrow at Plymouth Argyle. Portland became the second prominent program to lose a top player to European professional careers with the 2004 college season imminent. Ten days ago, SoccerTimes reported that Saint Louis striker Vedad Ibisevic had left school to try out for French power Paris St. Germain. Today, the 2003 SoccerTimes.com "Freshman of the Year," who scored 18 goals in his one collegiate season, signed a three-year contract with PSG. Simpson, who will forego his senior season with the Pilots, did not have quite as gaudy collegiate accomplishments, but emerged with a strong performance for Canada in the under-20 world championships last November and December in the United Arab Emirates. Canada was a surprise success in that event, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling 2-1 to tournament runnerup Spain. Simpson, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, started all five matches in the tournament and recorded the decisive tally in a 1-0 decision over Burkino Faso in the Round of 16.
"This is just amazing for me," Simpson said. "When Millwall came over to Canada for the tour, a few of us were really keen to try and make a good impression. In the camp, Simpson stood out in a match against Hearts of the Scottish Premier League, netting the equalizer in stoppage time for a 1-1 draw. He followed with an impressive showing in a 1-0 victory over Millwall. "To be perfectly honest, Josh wasn't a player I was particularly aware of before we went on our Canadian tour, but he certainly caught our eye when we were there and really impressed me," Wise said. "He gave us a hard time when we played Canada and then did exactly the same against Hearts. Josh may only have just turned 21, but he has a lot of quality about him. He is very direct, fast and a player of real promise and ability. Not many people over here will have heard of him, but Josh is a young man with a bright future. He will join up with the other lads for training tomorrow and we'll take it from there." Though Simpson's right foot is considered his strongest, Millwall has penciled him in for a trial on the left flank where the club has a glaring need. He could see action tomorrow, though it seems unlikely. As was the case with Saint Louis and Ibisevic, Portland is left short by Simpson's departure. With 26 days until the 2004 season commences, there is no way to replace a player who was expected to be a playmaker with a flair for scoring. Simpson started all 17 games he played for Portland last season, contributing four goals and four assists to a 10-9-1 team which saw its year end in the second round of the NCAA Division I tournament. He had eight goals and nine assist over 53 matches in his career. Life could become a little more difficult for junior striker Alejandro Salazar, who led the Pilots with 10 goals in 2003. "I knew Josh was pro-caliber and the time would come (when he would turn pro), but I was still hoping to get one last season out of him," Portland coach Bill Irwin said. "Josh had a great opportunity come up and decided to take advantage of it right now. He is just another Pilot great who will don a pro jersey and we wish him the best of luck." Simpson follows three-time U.S. World Cup goalkeeper Kasey Keller as the second Pilot to leave Portland for Millwall after his junior season. As veteran of five years with the club, Keller now toils for Tottenham Hotspur in England's Premier League. |
