Steven Goff of the Washington Post reported earlier via Twitter that 32-year-old Je-Vaughn Watson of FC Dallas was looking to come to Philadelphia to be closer to his daughter.
JeVaughn Watson of Dallas not in camp, may retire after making multiple trade requests to be closer to hearing impaired daughter in Philly
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 9, 2016
Watson came to MLS after six seasons with Sporting Park Academy in the Jamaican Premier League. He came to the Houston Dynamo in 2011 before moving to Dallas in 2013 where he became a fixture with FCD. Watson played in 70 games for Dallas, scoring six goals and contributing four assists in his three seasons. He also has 29 caps for his native Jamaica.
While in a perfect world Watson would come to Philadelphia to play while being near his daughter, there are roster-based problems that prevent that scenario. Watson is an international player (and the Philadelphia Union are out of international slots) but the Union are deep at right back (with Ray Gaddis, Keegan Rosenberry, and Anderson Conceicao) - as are Bethlehem Steel FC (with Ryan Richter and Nick Bibbs). There's really no room here for Watson, and unfortunately the Union need to look out for their own interests in this situation.
There is a bit of a silver lining to this story though.
@PHILLYSPORTS42 He wants to be close to Philly, not necessarily in Philly. Several teams in the northeast.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 9, 2016
It probably won't be D.C. United though.
@jakehirsch77 dc has franklin and korb at right back; priority is midfield
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 9, 2016
Wherever he ends up, we hope things work out for Je-Vaughan and his daughter.