Player profile

The fearless Watford captain and central defender admits he is lucky to still be playing after suffering a career-threatening eye injury in September.

Grit trapped under his contact lens triggered a bacterial infection that dissolved most of the cornea in his right eye; DeMerit said his vision was reduced to 20%.

He underwent a pioneering corneal transplant and returned in December after a 13-match lay-off. A more conventional transplant might have kept him out of football for two years, according to his surgeon.

His vision is now nearing 90%, but he admits his judgment is still impaired during night matches under floodlights.

DeMerit’s path to the World Cup has been as unusual as it has been unexpected. He failed to get signed by any MLS side following his graduation from the University of Illinois, so he moved to England in 2003 with only $1800 (£1200) in an attempt to find a club.

He started off with Southall Town in the ninth tier of English football, earning £40 a week. The following year he moved up a couple of divisions to Northwood and within weeks he got his big break in a pre-season friendly against Watford.

The Hornets’ then-manager, Ray Lewington, offered DeMerit a trial and signed him two weeks later. He has now made 213 appearances for the club.

DeMerit had never been called-up to the national team at any age group prior to his senior international debut against Guatemala in March 2007.

He was ever-present during last summer’s run to the final of the Confederations Cup and can expect to start at the World Cup if Carlos Bocanegra switches to left-back.