It’s been quite the offseason for Redditch, England born midfielder Matt Watson as he enjoys some well-deserved time off, highlighted by his wife Cat’s pregnancy, a coaching change for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and taking on his day-to-day role as a father of two children, Evelyn and Theo.
As he waits for the newborn’s arrival any day now, even the calm-minded midfielder can grow impatient, as he sits around at his Vancouver residence.
“The offseason is going alright, when you don’t have much to do you can be a little crazy at the house,” Watson told whitecapsfc.com. “I have my family here and I’ve just been taking my daughter to school, while also keeping myself entertained as I wait on the baby.”
As the Watson’s are eager to progress towards the celebration of a third child, a shifting lifestyle is on the horizon for the returning ‘Caps player, but he is happy to accept such a change, and is excited for the challenge.
“To be honest my wife does most of the work, and obviously I am just excited to have a new life and it is exciting for my kids to have a new brother or sister,” said Watson. “It may be tough at first when I leave for preseason, but I will make good of the time I have right now.”
A changing personal life is not the only adjustment for Watson this offseason, as Whitecaps FC recently announced the promotion of Carl Robinson from assistant to new head coach.
Watson is very familiar with Robinson and his work ethic and attention to detail, and he feels the Welshman was the right choice for the Blue and White.
“I would describe him as very sharp, smart, and very thoughtful. Whenever he talks you know that everything he says makes total sense," Watson commented on Robinson. "It's great to have someone like that who has been a player; he is a player’s coach, and he will let you know what situation you’re in and what you can do to improve your game, and I feel like he’s improved me as a player. He constantly looks out for you and having been a midfielder, he likes the passing game, so I think you will see us play some attractive football and I am very excited to be a part of that.”
Exciting times all around for the Englishman, as he looks to improve upon a career year in the 2013 MLS season where he logged personal bests in MLS appearances (21), starts (15), minutes played (1292), shots (14), while also registering his first career assist in regular season play (his first assist overall came in the 'Caps first ever MLS Cup playoff appearance in 2012).
Watson still feels like there is room for immense improvement though as he looks to establish himself offensively in 2014.
“I want to involve myself in the attack a bit more, while obviously improving defensively by working hard to win the ball back. I'm looking to play with more confidence.”
A changing atmosphere may help him achieve those goals for the upcoming season, as a new coach and philosophy may be just what the doctor ordered for the 28-year-old.
“For me the biggest difference is going to be adjusting to the way things are run, but I think it is good for me to have a change of pace and to see how I can do."
An offseason of this much change does not come around very often, but some required patience and a rapid lifestyle shift will undoubtedly prove to be a positive for the rising midfielder’s personal and professional life.
