University of Portland soccer player Josh Simpson has signed a two-year professional contract with Millwall Football Club of the English League Championship (former English First Division), joining a long list of former Pilots to play overseas. Simpson, who will forgoe his senior season as a result of the signing, will begin training with his new teammates today in anticipation for Millwall’s season-opening match against Plymouth this Saturday, Aug. 7.
The Victoria, B.C. native put his name on the international scene beginning with a strong showing at the 2003 FIFA Youth World Championships last winter with the Canadian Under-20 National Team. Canada surprised the field by advancing to the semifinals as Simpson started every match and scored the game-winner against Burkina Faso to send his squad to the quarterfinals. He earned his first World Cup Team cap in a friendly against Barbados on Jan. 18, 2004 and carried the momentum into a role on the Canadian Olympic Team, starting all three matches for Canada in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Although Canada failed to qualify, Simpson earned a spot on the 17-player roster for the Men’s World Cup Team Development Training Camp in early July, an action that would soon lead to his ascent to the professional ranks.
Simpson was stellar in a match against Hearts of the Scottish Premier League at the camp, netting the equalizer in a 1-1 draw during stoppage time. He followed with an impressive showing in a 1-0 victory over none other than Millwall, who was touring Canada in preparation for their upcoming season.
Millwall head coach Dennis Wise admittedly knew little about Simpson before his team took part in the Canadian tour and faced his newest player. "To be perfectly honest Josh wasn't a player I was particularly aware of before we went on our Canadian tour. But he certainly caught our eye when we were there and really impressed me. He gave us a hard time when we played Canada and then did exactly the same against Hearts. Josh may only have just turned 21, but he has a lot of quality about him; he is very direct, fast and a player of real promise and ability. Not many people over here will have heard of him, but Josh is a young man with a bright future. He will join up with the other lads for training tomorrow and we'll take it from there."
Having impressed the manager straight out of the gate bodes well for Simpson as Millwall are lacking in depth on the left side of the midfield, his preferred position. It is expected that he could see action in Saturday’s match, or soon thereafter.
"This is just amazing for me,” Simpson said after signing. “When Millwall came over to Canada for the tour a few of us were really keen to try and make a good impression. This is a dream come true for me. I'm really looking forward to the challenge and hope that I get a chance to play in front of the Millwall fans as soon as possible."
Simpson’s departure is bittersweet for Pilots Director of Soccer Bill Irwin, who lost his third leading scorer from the 2003 season and a player on the cusp of collegiate stardom.
“I knew Josh was pro-caliber and the time would come, but I was still hoping to get one last season out of him,” Irwin said. “Josh had a great opportunity come up and decided to take advantage of it right now. He is just another Pilot great who will don a pro jersey and we wish him the best of luck.”
Simpson is the second Pilot to be signed out of college by Millwall, U.S. National Team goalkeeper Kasey Keller played five seasons for the club after leaving Portland following his senior season.
