Carver Memories - Oscar's Windy, Less Traveled Road
 
WWU's Jimenez grinds way to pro career
 
It's 2,400 miles from Bellingham to Louisville. It took Oscar Jimenez six years to get there, and only because he is driven.
 
There may be soccer players with more skills, more flair, than Oscar Jimenez. Yet precious few share the astronomical scale of his most outstanding traits, dedication and determination. Jimenez always wanted to play professionally, and after taking the road less traveled, he not only succeeded but has left a road map for others to follow.
 
"The path to my career of becoming a pro athlete, it's not a straight road," said Jimenez. "It's been windy, with a couple exits where I turned around and went the other way. There were quite a few times when I thought it was a dead end, and it took me a long time."


 
Jimenez is now a fixture for Louisville City of the United Soccer League Championship, America's second tier league of pro soccer. He's in his sixth season and entered 2022 as the club's career assist leader and a favorite among the fans at newly built and soccer-specific Lynn Family Stadium.
 
At 32, Jimenez is also one of the league's 26 oldest players, and he is constantly competing to keep his position against younger men, some still in their teens. But he wouldn't have it any other way.
 
"Perseverance is the word that comes to mind with Oscar," observed Greg Brisbon, his coach at Western Washington University from 2008-11. "He has to earn every minute, every new contract. He's competing against these young kids, and he's able to outplay them and still do it."


 
Beneath the Radar
 
In some ways, Jimenez was an over-achiever by just playing at Western. Although he led his school to the state quarterfinals, there was limited exposure at Mount Vernon. Fortuitously, at 15 he joined a Whatcom Rangers team with a collegiate coach: Brisbon. He soon detected a drive and "soccer IQ" that set Jimenez apart.
 
At Western, Brisbon asks three things of his players: Be a good teammate, want to be coached and work hard. It's no wonder the coach recruited him to play for the Vikings. Jimenez wasted no time in making his mark in those years at Orca Field when WWU played its home games at Whatcom Community College. Despite starting only three times in 2008 he was second in assists and figured heavily in a stretch drive when Western claimed its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in six years. A seven-game unbeaten run was punctuated by a 3-0 win over Seattle Pacific in which he scored and assisted. He went on to start the final 54 games of his career, share the WWU career assists record and twice earn all-GNAC. Still, that was beneath the radar of any pro scouts.
 
There were opportunities awaiting Jimenez, more so based on his relationships and degree in communications and Spanish. A former teacher reached out about a job opening at Mount Vernon High School. For two years he served as a bilingual instructional assistant while playing senior amateur for Bellingham United, a team in Vancouver and the Sounders Under-23. While at the latter, he played alongside but too often behind the likes of Jordan Morris, DeAndre Yedlin and Sean Okoli. All were still in college, in renowned programs such as Stanford and Akron, and all would reach MLS (Major League Soccer) within three years.
 
Kellan Brown played alongside Jimenez at Western, Bellingham United and the Sounders U23s. "He really made a big step in that summer with the Sounders," remembered Brown. "Where most players might struggle adjusting to the pace of play, that actually suited Oscar's game and he looked the most comfortable. I think this validated his self-belief that he could play at the next level."
 
Still, he yielded playing time to those coming from DI programs. "It was frustrating to play alongside guys who were on the radar," concedes Jimenez. "I didn't find myself being out of place. Mentally I was frustrated because I wasn't given the opportunity."
 
You Never Know Who's Watching
 
Sensing his frustration, Sounders U23 coach Darren Sawatzky, a former MLS and USL veteran, pulled him aside and offered what proved sage advice. "He said, 'You never know who's watching.' I took it as I'm not playing in these games, but I'm training with them every day. I don't know if someone's in the stands watching. I started to realize that in soccer, it's about the people you know." Or the people who've seen you.
 
Knowing he could hold his own with the likes of Morris and Yedlin, both future Sounders and U.S. National Team members, Jimenez was convinced he could reach the next level and play for pay. But first he had to tune-out those who didn't share his belief.
 
There were times when even those close to him advised him to give up, to quit and move on with real life. They would say negative things, remarks that only served to fuel his resolve.
 
Others, such as Brisbon, were more reassuring. They encouraged him, urging him to follow his dream and push forward. Jimenez paid his way to combines and tryouts in distant destinations. Somewhere along the way, just as Sawatzky foretold, the right person was watching.
 
Before attending a three-day combine in San Diego, he sought to steady himself. He increased his weightlifting, ramped-up his running mileage and focused on ball work. When he arrived in San Diego, the nerves from previous combines were no more; he was calm and comfortable in his skin. It showed.
 
David Irving was among the coaches who approached Jimenez afterward. Irving was the coach of a new USL team, the Tulsa Roughnecks. Within days of their introduction a contract was offered, signed, and Oscar Jimenez was on his way to Oklahoma to become a professional.
 
Another Step Back


 
In Tulsa, Jimenez was reunited with another Western alum, Gibson Bardsley. They earned significant roles as part-time starters, and the Roughnecks were a respectable 11-11-6 in their first season. Sometimes, though, there are steps backward.
 
Despite his contributions, Jimenez was not offered a contract for 2016. Instead, he returned home, rejoined Western as an assistant to Brisbon, resumed his work at MVHS and searched for the next opportunity. Along that windy road he referenced, this was the seemingly dead end. Once again, he was back to combines and working the phones. Finally came an answer, from far-away Clinton, Mississippi.
 
Mississippi Brilla is a fourth-tier club in the USL Premier Development League, now known as League Two. The Brilla were division champions but essentially it was two steps backward. As Jimenez later told a reporter, he signed there, "because it was going to put me in an uncomfortable situation, which is the way you grow the most." And once more, someone was both watching and looking out for Jimenez.
 
Mississippi would struggle, finishing below .500. Jimenez, however, was unflappable. "Oscar was there until the end, doing the exact same things when he knew we wouldn't qualify for the playoffs," Brilla coach Mark McKeever told the Louisville Courier. "Football was his life and he treated it that way."
 
Following the short, 14-game season, McKeever joined Jimenez in working the phones. One of those he dialed was James O'Connor, a longtime friend who was coaching Louisville City. Months later, after McKeever's recommendation and a January tryout, Jimenez got himself a pro contract again.
 
Now Arriving: The Complete Jimenez
 
In 2017, at the age of 27, Jimenez was his best self. He was as competitive as ever, a true and tested teammate. There was a fire in his gut, yet a calm demeanor, on and off the field. He absorbed coaching advice. He was/is impeccably fit. He was a right-footed player who, after hundreds of hours developing his weaker foot, now took Louisville's corner kicks and free kicks with his left.
 
"He was able to adapt along his journey," said Brisbon. "He was willing to take chances, and he believed he could do it. I'm super proud of him."


 
The road and his story are now always going forward, passing milestones. LouCity won the USL title in 2017 and 2018. They reached the championship match again in 2019, won the division in 2020 and made the playoffs once more in 2021, all with Jimenez as a key contributor. The fans, some 9,000 per home game, have taken to him, and he never misses a chance to express his appreciation for their friendliness and southern comfort.
 
Kentucky is a long way from Skagit Valley, where 20 years ago he played pick-up in the parking lot of an apartment building and wore the colors of his Les Schwab-sponsored youth club and, later Mount Vernon High green. Jimenez has found a second home in Louisville.
 
"It's not a crazy city, the food is very good, and it's a great place to focus on playing," Jimenez explained. "But the best thing about it is the people. They have been very, very friendly from the start."
 
Telling Oscar's Story
 
Because Jimenez is superbly fit, his career expiration date could be pushed out a few more years. When that day arrives, he is equipped to take that next step, whatever it may be. Brisbon foresees a career in coaching because he relates so well to players. Even while thousands of miles away from Harrington Field, Western's on-campus home field completed in 2014, Jimenez is an inspiration to Vikings coming behind him.
 
Above Brisbon's desk hangs Jimenez's Louisville jersey. Whenever a player asks about playing at the next level, "I tell them Oscar's story," said Brisbon. "You're going to have to be willing to be told you're not good enough and keep going. That's how this works, generally. If you're not from a Power Five DI school where you get to go to the draft, you're going to have to go to combines across the country, and probably pay for them yourself and be told no, again and again. You just have to believe and find the right fit for your ability and then keep getting better. Find something that separates you from the other guys. That's what Oscar did."
 
Having won championships, set records and realized a dream, Jimenez finds great satisfaction in seeing others inspired to embark upon this windy road leading to the banks of the Ohio River.
 
"It's the little things that get you to that next level. Just because you're not where you want to be at this current time, you never know who's watching a scrimmage or a training session or a game," he said. "I've played against million-dollar players, and the gap is not that wide. How you go about your sessions, your mentality. Give it your all every day, do your best in everything and always want to learn."
 
It's far from a straight path. It will always take longer than planned. But there is a road map, and Oscar Jimenez can provide directions.


   
Oscar Jimenez biography
 
Pro: Completing sixth season as midfielder for Louisville City of the United Soccer League Championship, America's second tier league of pro soccer. Entered 2022 as club's career assist leader … Spent 2013 season with Bellingham United and was named Most Valuable Player. During his time on the club, he also trained with the Seattle Sounders U23s. During his time at the club, Jimenez took part in a Las Vegas combine in 2013 and Swedish showcase in January 2014 but could not earn a professional deal. He also had an unsuccessful trial with the Wilmington Hammerheads in the 2014 pre-season. Jimenez made a single appearance for the Seattle Sounders U23s in the Premier Development League.

College: Lettered four years in soccer at Western Washington University between 2008 and 2011 … As a freshman, he appeared in 18 of Vikings' 19 matches, scoring five goals and having five assists as WWU won the GNAC regular season championship for the second time in its history …  As a sophomore, he appeared in all 20 of WWU's matches, scoring six goals with a team leading six assists and was a first-team all-Great Northwest Athletic Conference selection and second-team all-West Region pick … As a junior, he again appeared in all of the Viking's 18 matches while leading team with seven assists and scoring four goals … He was a unanimous first-team all-GNAC choice as well as first-team Daktronics all-West Region honoree … As a senior, he appeared in 17 of the Viking's 18 matches while scoring two goals with a team-leading five assists.  He was named second-team all-GNAC … Left WWU as the program's leader in assists with 22 as well as being among top 10 in points (56), games started (57) and minutes played (5811).

High School: Played soccer and was cross country runner at Mount Vernon High School … Three times named Skagit Valley Herald Boys' Soccer Player of the year and as senior was named Northwest League co-MVP … As senior was team captain and scored 10 goals as Mount Vernon won both league and district titles and reached quarterfinals of Class 3A state playoffs … Also as senior, he finished eighth individually at Northwest District cross country championships.

Personal: Born Nov. 3, 1989, in Mount Vernon, Wash. … His step father is Ramon De Leon.

Tulsa Roughnecks

On Feb. 24, 2015, Jimenez signed a professional contract with USL club the Tulsa Roughnecks. He made his professional debut on April 3 in a 2–0 defeat to Saint Louis … Sitting out eight weeks of action due to injury, Jimenez made his return with a two-minute cameo appearance in a 5-1 victory at the Seattle Sounders 2 on June 5 … On July 9, scored his first professional goal in a 4-1 victory over the Orange County Blues. Two weeks later, he recorded his first professional assist in a 1-1 draw at the Oklahoma City Energy. He also made his final appearance for the Energy on Sept. 6.

Mississippi Brilla

On May 2, 2016, Jimenez joined the Mississippi Brilla in the Premier Development League … On June 10, scored first goal for club in 2-1 victory over Oklahoma City Energy U23s, while assisting on his team's second goal … A week later, scored first career brace in a 3-2 win at Saint Louis U23s. He scored his fourth goal of the season on June 25 at the Midland/Odessa Sockers FC to secure a 1-1 draw and finish as his club's joint top scorer for the 2016 season.

Louisville City

On February 15, 2017, Jimenez was announced as USL club Louisville City's seventh signing of the 2017 season after successful try-outs.
 
Presented by Paul Madison, who served 48 years as sports information director (40 full-time, three on part-time basis and five as student) at Western Washington University. He retired in 2015 and is in his seventh year serving as the Vikings' Athletics Historian.