The 2007 season was a special one for the UConn men's soccer team, one to which many people in the program compare this year's team, in terms of offensive production, strong defense and high intensity. One of the captains on the 2007 squad was defender Julius James. The Trinidadian native was instrumental for the 2007 team.
This resource economics major was the ninth overall pick in the 2008 MLS Draft. He went to Toronto FC, and scored in his MLS debut against the LA Galaxy after sitting out the beginning of his rookie campaign due to a shoulder injury. In 2008 he was the traded to Houston Dynamo, and after a loan period in the United Soccer League in Minnesota, he was traded again to D.C. United. Earlier this fall, he scored his second career MLS goal against the team that gave him his first chance in professional soccer.
James has also been blessed with the chance to play for his homeland's national team. Before coming to UConn, he played for the U-17 team in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. His first national team cap came against Guyana, and more recently he played in a World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica.
Recently The Daily Campus had a chance to catch up with this former Husky and here is what Julius had to say:
DC: What was your favorite memory playing soccer at UConn?
JJ: "I would say winning the Big East Championship."
DC: How has the transition from college soccer to the MLS been?
JJ: "It was rough because of injuries in the preseason, but it wasn't too difficult. Coach Reid prepares you and gets you ready for the league."
DC: What's been your favorite thing about the MLS thus far?
JJ: "The increase in the high level of competition and the travel."
DC: What do you miss most about college life?
JJ: "The camaraderie with all the guys on the team, the friendships and all of my teammates."
DC: At what point did you think, I could play professional soccer?
JJ: "Before I went to UConn I wanted to be a professional when I lived in Trinidad and Tobago. UConn helped me along the way, and it was instrumental."
DC: Who do you look up to or has had the biggest impact in your life?
JJ: "In general, I have a friend back home, my age, who took me under his wing while in high school. He showed wisdom beyond his age. And also my father has had an impact."
DC: What opponent would you most want on your team?
JJ: "In the MLS, Kei Kamara from the Kansas City Wizards. We played with each other while I played in Houston."