Jones carves out increased role by limiting his desire to roam
Since Derrick Jones first laced up his boots for the Dynamo on day one of the 2021 preseason, coach Tab Ramos has been trying to get him to stay put in the center of the midfield.
The early returns were not sparkling because, well, Jones has never been the type of person willing to remain in one place. He couldn’t do that, or he’d never be as successful as he is now.
Luckily for the Dynamo, Ramos might be the perfect coach to rein him in because of what he meant to Jones’ career well before they were reunited in Houston.
“Tab has done a lot for me that I can never forget,” Jones said. “He’s like my soccer dad.”
The Dynamo acquired Jones in a draft-day trade in January, and Ramos’ project of returning Jones to his old position in the defensive midfield instantly began. Jones appeared in Houston’s first three games as a substitute and earned his first start in Saturday’s road draw against FC Dallas.
He’s a great candidate to see the field again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when the Dynamo (1-1-2, 5 points) play host to Sporting Kansas City (2-1-1, 7 points) at BBVA Stadium.
The Dynamo have held their own so far, most notably in consecutive 1-1 draws against Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas. Ramos and a handful of players have said they’re happy with the way everyone has bought into Ramos’ no-nonsense, hardworking approach.
Most of them are seeing that for the first time. Jones, on the other hand, is a veteran of Ramos’ tutelage.
Their relationship began in 2016 when Ramos was the coach of the United States’ U-20 National Team. Jones had been in the country for only four years after moving with his family from Ghana to southwest Philadelphia.
Jones did not have his U.S. citizenship when he began excelling on the soccer field. When Ramos knew Jones would be in his plans for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, however, he got the citizenship process started.
Jones made four appearances in the World Cup, and the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals.
The extra time together allowed them to get to know each other off the field. Ramos learned all about Jones’ tumultuous journey that included moving to a strange continent and spending his teenage years in a rough Philly neighborhood.
“We went through a lot,” Ramos said. “And I know his background and his situation from Philadelphia, and I know his days from when he played at Bethlehem Steel and then made his way into the Philadelphia Union first team and (was) traded away to Nashville.
“So I think Derek is playing with a chip on his shoulder right now, and I think that’s good for the Houston Dynamo.”
Jones played in the defensive midfield with the Union, but that system was different from the one the Dynamo play. When he was traded to Nashville SC, he played an attacking role.
Ramos always viewed Jones’ acquisition as a long-term plan because he intends to mold him back into a defensive-minded player. It didn’t take any convincing for Jones because of the success he has had with Ramos and because of their personal connection.
The most important thing for Jones to remember as he learns his relatively new role is to not get pulled out of the middle of the field one line ahead of the defense. The Dynamo need him there to be physical, win tackles and break up plays.
If he pursues the ball all the way to the sideline or too far up the field, the Dynamo could be exposed.
“In Derrick’s case, it’s still a little bit of a project at this point, but I think you can only develop a project by giving him time on the field, and I think he needs that,” Ramos said. “I thought the Dallas game was a very good experience for him in terms of how we want him to play. He won some big tackles in the middle of the field, and I think he was a big presence in the game.”
That Jones has become such a big presence is a surprise even to him sometimes.
He was lucky to catch on with Junior Lone Star FC, a club founded by West African immigrants in southwest Philadelphia. That’s where Jones caught the eye of YSC Academy, a high school run by the Philadelphia Union. He began his pro career shortly after graduating from YSC.
It took a lot of hard work, but Jones said he knows that isn’t always enough. That’s why he doesn’t take for granted what he has earned.
“Where I come from it is so hard to get out and get into a professional team,” Jones said. “There are so many good players out there that are even better than me that don’t have the opportunity. So every time I step on the field, it’s like, ‘OK, I feel like this is the opportunity I have now. I need to take it.’ ”