(December 19, 2009) - David Falk of the Seattle Soccer Examiner writes, "Washington Premier FC’s U 17-18 Development Academy club is turning heads this fall as they lead the Northwest Division after winning eight of nine division matches. In all competitions, totaling sixteen games, WPFC are supercharged by the twelve goals of Darwin Jones." When you put up such lofty goal-scoring numbers at this high level, you get people’s attention, and Jones got ours. So I contacted the Mount Rainer High School senior about his Academy play this fall. Jones has made a verbal commitment to attend Seattle University next year.
Jones is not one of those kids who kicked the ball around when he was a toddler. "I have been playing for six years," says the striker, "four years for Highline Premier FC under coach Dave Hanson, who was very motivating and pushed me to work harder. Two years for WPFC with Jerry Hill and Jimmy McAlister, who are both great coaches with a lot of experience." Jones also played high school ball at Mount Rainier.
Jones is enjoying the success WPFC is having this fall. "WPFC has been around for awhile. They have won a couple of national championships. Things are going well (this year) because everyone is working hard and pushing one another. The ultimate team goal is to make it to finals week in LA and compete for the national championship." About his twelve goals in all matches, Jones says, "breakaways and technical finishing in the box are allowing me to make the goals, as well as the assistance of a few of my teammates, Evan Robicheau, Nico De La Cruz, and other guys too. My first goal of the season is the one that comes to my mind (as my best). We had played 5-6 games and I hadn’t scored in any of the games yet."
The USSDA website recently honored Jones. U-17/18 Performer of the Week: Darwin Jones: Darwin Jones and Washington Premier FC made it three wins from three games during their recent away trip to Northern California. His strong performances and four goals helped lift Washington Premier FC to the top of their division with a little over half of their Academy games left in the season.
Jones is quick to give credit to his teammates and head coach Jimmy McAlister (of NASL Sounders fame) for his success. "One and two touch and pass and move (is McAlister’s coaching style.) It has been a great experience being coached by Jimmy. He pushes the team to do and give their all." I asked Jones to describe his own playing style. "Fast and creative," he starts, "I like to get everyone motivated during the game. I’m very passionate about the game and hate to lose. I would have to say my strongest skills are dribbliing and shooting. I think my speed makes me hard to stop."
Jones is clear about his focus for the future. "I want to go to the next level, have a successful college career and then go on to play professional soccer."
There is more good news for Jones and Nico De La Cruz (who paced the South Kitsap High School Wolves to the 2009 state championship). The WPFC website has announced that K.C. Phillips, Nico De La Cruz and Darwin Jones have been named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) All-star team to play the US Men’s National U-20 team on December 20th in Chula Vista CA.
