April 29, 2008 MLS Toronto FC Julius James back to full fitness (from toronto FC Media Relations)

04/29/2008 3:52PM
Julius James back to full fitness
Defender sees first action since suffering shoulder injury
Toronto FC Media Relations

Toronto FC defender Julius James is happy with his fitness and tells TorontoFC.ca he has fully recovered from his shoulder injury. James played in the reserve team against Kansas City on Saturday in his first competitive game since sustaining the injury in preseason. "It has been frustrating not being able to play in the first weeks of the season, and I was really happy that I was able to play in the reserves last weekend," said James. "It was a good game and I felt good, my shoulder was good and there were no problems. We played pretty well in the first half."

James missed training early in 2008 with a knee problem and had only just returned to action when he injured his shoulder in the final game of preseason against Charleston Battery. This time around coach John Carver wanted to make sure the MLS SuperDraft 1st round pick was fully fit before he was put into a game situation. "Julius could have played before if we needed him," said Carver. "But the way things have been going, there was no need to rush him back. It was important to me that we got him into a match situation with the reserves before thinking about using him in the first team."

James has been keen to play, but understands Carver's way of thinking. "He's a wise guy. He's been around for a long while," said James. "The first time I came back from a knee injury I got injured again so it's good to take time and let me get back fully fit and get my form. Hopefully I'll get a chance but he is a fair coach and I have to prove myself again. I feel really happy that I'm considered part of the team and I've been able to remain on the first 18. I feel really honoured because the team is very strong and I think that we can take it pretty far this year," said James.

Tyrone Marshall and Marco Velez are the current pairing in central defense, and with Olivier Tebily having signed last week there is plenty of competition in James' position. He knows he'll have to wait his turn, with the team not conceding any goals in the last two games. "Competition is always healthy and I always welcome it," he explained. "I love the competition because it only makes me and other people in the position better players because it is such a challenge. We all want to get better and be in the team and when you get in the team you have to play very well to stay there."

Despite the injury, James has settled in well to life in Toronto and with TFC. "I feel really honoured to be part of the team and love the atmosphere here. I have never seen anything like this in my life. The supporters are great. They love the game and the team. I'm really happy here. I can't really express how happy I am, but hopefully soon I will get a chance to play and show everybody my passion for the team and the game."

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