"We’re willing to outwork anyone we come up against!"
Interview with Chattanooga Red Wolves' defender Declan Watters
Declan Watters is in the midst of his second season playing with the Chattanooga Red Wolves in USL League One. So far, it’s been quite the season for both.
Chattanooga currently sits top of the table. With 40 points and a +14 goal difference off the first 20 games of the season, they’ve become a remarkably difficult team to play against, and one that seems to be able to grind-out wins, home and away, consistently harboring a minority of possession and attacking stats. My colleague Alex Ashton recently wrote up an excellent overview of this Red Wolves’ juggernaut for the Southeast Soccer Report that’s well worth a read.
For Watters himself, the Irishman has twice been named in the League’s Team of the Week this season (weeks 14 and 24) and has become a mainstay in a water-tight defensive unit that has only allowed 19 goals across 20 league games so far. Individually, he boasts the third-most clearances in the league (137) and leads his own team in games (20), starts (20), and minutes played (1,785). Of those 20 league games started, he’s only been subbed off once. He also has two goals to his name in league play. I recently caught up with him for a coffee in downtown Chattanooga to talk about the season so far and the journey that brought him to the Scenic City.
I begin by asking how this Red Wolves team is managing to win so consistently right now.
Declan: I’m big on the intangibles and for us as a team, a club, and a culture this year is very much built on that. There’s an understanding that we’re willing to outwork anyone we come up against and that’s a great place to start. We’re willing to outrun; football is a running game. We’ve got no fear of that. And we’re willing to outcompete. Those are three things that we harp on, that we really emphasize. Football, you can make it really complicated, but if you’re willing to do those three things it will take you a long way. You match all that with the amount of detail that goes into our preparation. We’ve emphasized set pieces. We have a solid defensive structure. And we’ve got some unbelievable talent mixed in with that. It’s a pretty solid recipe.
I ask about those 20 starts and the minutes he’s clocked on the field. Does playing so much, so often, tire him or affect him physically?
Declan: No, it’s a privilege. It’s never a question for me. I’m a footballer. I want to be playing football as much as possible and I’m grateful that I get to do that. I’ve put a lot of time in the gym, doing all the boring stuff behind the scenes to keep myself healthy and it’s paying off so far. So, long may it continue.
What are the key strengths of his Head Coach Scott Mackenzie?
Declan: I think a lot of what I just spoke about is what he speaks about. The intangibles. Outworking. Outrunning. These are all coming from him, not me. And his attention to detail is outstanding. I think the clarity we go into games with is second-to-none. I can’t speak for every player; I can only speak for myself. But there’s just no doubt what I’m supposed to do, what he’d like us to do in any given moment, and any scenario. I think if you’ve got that clarity and you give the players license to go act within that, and I’m not saying it’s too rigid, but there’s good guidelines there. It gives everyone the chance to shine.
Did Mackenzie set the team a goal for the season or has the approach been each game at a time?
Declan: I think that’s another big strength. We were pretty much process-oriented from the start. We take it one-week-at-a-time, and it’s treated us well so far.
I comment that when I see the Red Wolves play this season; it looks like there’s a great camaraderie there. Speaking of intangibles, that seems to come through.
Declan: I’m delighted to hear it comes through because we want the fans to see that. We all say it. Every day going into training is genuinely enjoyable. And that’s not always the case. It’s not an easy thing we do, per say. There are times when it can be tough. But for that to be the environment we have, where every day it is a joy to be going to work, it is a privilege.
Watters and fellow center-back Eric Kinzner have struck up an effective partnership this year. I’m keen to hear his thoughts on Kinzner as a teammate and a player.
Declan: Top class. Just reliable, honestly. He’s been a mainstay next to me. We have a great relationship where we’re almost in constant competition with each other, which works out perfectly. Because there’s never a moment to switch off. It’s just two lads that are there with a massive desire to win. And also, a built-in desire to defend first and a ‘what if’ mentality. That’s been a key strength of ours. I think that filters through the rest of the team and gives a lot of people a bit more license to be creative and attacking-minded.
So how did Watters come to play for the Red Wolves?
Declan: Well back home I played academy football, lastly with Shamrock Rovers. And then I moved over to college in the States on a scholarship. I went to Akron for my Undergrad and then transferred to Drake University for my Masters. And once I wrapped up college soccer an opportunity came up to play professionally in Sweden. So, I played a year with Vänersborgs. Then the season ended there, and a contract came up here in Chattanooga. I jumped at the opportunity to come back to the States, get my start in USL, and work with Scott. It didn’t take long; I think it was just one or two phone calls with Scott, and I was fairly convinced that it was a good move for me. I moved here at the start of last season (2024), and I haven’t looked back since.
What did he know about the Red Wolves and about Chattanooga?
Declan: I knew there was a great culture here. Actually, one of my great friends, Tor Saunders, played for them previously. He was my roommate at Akron. We’re good mates to this day. So, I was watching as a fan while he was in the squad. You could see the atmosphere at the stadium, a purpose-built soccer stadium which isn’t commonplace in America yet. That adds to the atmosphere, it’s a great place to play. Those late-night kick-offs there are a treat. And then as soon as an opportunity comes up to come, you’re doing a deep dive into any information you can get.
I love living here, it’s been great. There’s great community here. It’s a city but it doesn’t feel too big. It’s quite welcoming, very friendly. Beautiful too, the scenery is amazing. I’m loving where I live. I just took a trip to the Smokies not long ago, which was amazing.
I ask him to tell me about the Open Cup game against Chattanooga FC.
Declan: It was the biggest crowd [12,131] I’ve played in front of. It was a pleasure to be a part of it all. It was symbolic of what football could become in this country. And I think that’s how we felt as players too. It meant a lot to us. It’s our club, it’s a rivalry, a derby game. There was a big emphasis put on that. It would have been a mistake to try and put it down, to minimize it. We wanted to embrace what it was; a big game that had been built up for years before I arrived in Chattanooga. But I got the privilege to be the one to step out on the pitch. To come away with a win was special and the away crowd supporting us were great. There’s a fantastic community behind the club. I do a little bit of coaching with the Academy as well. So, to see some of the young lads in the crowd, it was great! That’s a memory that will stick with me.
We talk about his background, growing up playing football, and his favotire players and teams.
Declan: I was kicking a ball from the moment I could walk, from what I remember. I had an older brother, he always played. And then straight down to my local club, Ratoath Harps when I was old enough. I played Gaelic football all the way up too with Ratoath GAA, until I got to a point where I had to make a decision when I was about 16. That was probably the last time I played a GAA match. But I loved it and still miss Gaelic.
I grew up supporting Chelsea. It was odd, because everyone around me supported Liverpool or Man United. My brother supported Arsenal. I don’t know, maybe it was because of Damien Duff.
My favorite footballer growing up was Richard Dunne. He was the Irish center-half of my generation. For someone who prides himself on the intangibles, you can imagine why he’s an icon for me. The Russia game, when they had to draw the number on his jersey and all that. In terms of center-halves that I based my game on; I’ve tried to pick up a bit from everywhere. I watch a lot of football. I’ve learned a lot off some really good coaches. In particular, I think at Shamrock Rovers I was really lucky to have Aidan Price as my manager and Graham Gartland was his assistant coach. So, for a 17-year-old to have two of League of Ireland’s best center-halves as coaches was massive for me.
I always wanted to be a professional footballer. From the moment I can remember having a dream, it was that. That’s part of what makes all this so special. I recognize that. It’s not too often you can be 26 and still be clinging onto it. I’m thankful, and I try to bring a bit of gratitude to everyday and to what I do.
We then chat about how his move to play College Soccer in the United States came about.
Declan: It was on my radar from a young age because my stepmom is American, from Illinois. So, that was a bit of a factor. It opened my eyes to the sort of opportunities that are over here. Back home; it’s a bit more of a choice between college and trying to chase proper high-level football, whereas here in America; you can do both. And not only that, but the football at the college-level in America is top class. As soon as that became clear to me, it was something that I began to chase and luckily it worked out.
Was he aware of how the format and rules of college soccer in the US can be very different from football back home?
Declan: Literally, not at all. We were just talking about this in the locker room today, the first time that we’d noticed the clock was counting backwards and thinking, “What the fuck is going on here?” I remember the first drawn game I’d ever had in college, walking off and getting ready to shake hands. And then the lads are dragging me back on saying, “No, no, no, we’ve got Golden Goal”. I thought they were taking the piss out of me. I will say, the rolling substitutes, changes the game.
Watters was at Akron from 2017 to 2020. In all he made 32 appearances for the Zips. I ask him to reflect on his time in Ohio.
At the time, no college program had sent more players to the pros. In my first year [2017] we managed to make the final four, lost to Stanford. I had red shirt that year, which was good for me in the long run. I then started playing in my sophomore year [2018], we made the national final, lost to Maryland 1-0 unfortunately. We were renowned for having the most possession-based style in college soccer, which really sharpened that part of my game. That’s a massive tool to have as a center-half, even if it’s not something you always need to pull out. This year, we’re clearly not a possession-based team but I can still come from a place of “I can do it, but we’re choosing not to play that way”, as opposed to “We need to play this way because I can’t do that”. Jared [Embick, the Akron Zips Head Coach] did a lot for me. He taught me a lot about the tactical side of the game and in-possession skills. It was an unbelievable experience. I didn’t realize what I was being thrown into at 18. Playing Stanford away, coming from Meath, thinking “This is mad”! Akron was amazing. I left after four years of great football, which was massive for my development.
And then I decided for a change of scenery once I’d graduated. I went and did my Masters over in Drake. I loved it. A year-and-a-half in Des Moines, Iowa. And then I finished my Masters online in Sweden.
I ask if many of his college teammates also made it to the pros and if they still keep in touch through professional careers.
Declan: A lot to be fair. At Omaha, there’s Marco Milanese, he was an Akron man. Tor Saunders who played here, was also at Akron. My best mate from there, Danny Strachan, played at Crew 2. Carlo Ritaccio was at Chicago Fire 2. Even now in the Championship, Shane Wiedt, he’s an Akron boy. Nate Shultz, who just retired from Greenville last year.
I got to see Marco a few weeks ago when we played Omaha. We took a little trip in the off season, the two of us, with Diogo Pacheco who plays for San Antonio. These are my friends, so it’s good craic when you get to see them and play against them. There’d definitely be a text in the week leading up to a game.
I’m keen to know if he talks to fellow Irish players when he comes up against them, playing in the US.
Declan: Oh, absolutely, if I hear an Irish accent, yeah. At a minimum I’d go up and be like, “Where are you from”? That’s happened a lot over the years. When I played USL League Two in Florida, you’d get lads from Cork playing for Sarasota. But yeah, there’s Mark Doyle at Knoxville and Kevin O’Connor at Naples. And one of the Championship’s best players by all accounts is Aaron Molloy, he’s from Dublin. Hell of a player.
Who’s the toughest attacker he’s come up against in USL League one?
Declan: There are some great strikers in this league. I’d have to give [Karsen] Henderlong, from Naples, a bit of credit. He’s a very good player. And then you get some of the lads who’ve been around for a while; the likes of [Christian] Chaney at Charlotte, he’s a tough day out. Juan Galindrez, who played here, he’s a good player. It’s great battle, it’s enjoyable.
Does he see coaching as a potential future plan for himself?
Declan: It’s definitely a possibility. I haven’t thought in that much detail that far ahead. But I’m starting to line things up, to at least keep that door open. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love being around the game, whether as a player or potentially a coach in the future. So far though, it’s great being around the lads in the academy, it’s good for us players, good for them.
Outside of football, what does he like to do?
Declan: Ah, not too much, to be honest. I keep busy with the football, the coaching, and the gym. Outside of that, I’m a fairly simple man.
And finally, I ask what are his hopes for the rest of the season.
Declan: I’m subscribing to Scott’s philosophy all year. Being process-oriented, taking it one-week-at-a-time. We’re definitely not going to sell ourselves short in terms of aspirations, but we’re not even two-thirds of the way through the league. It’s gone very well so far, I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved, very proud of the lads. And hopefully we can keep that good form rolling.
The Red Wolves host AV Alta this Saturday at 7pm.
My thanks to Declan for his time and for talking to the Southeast Soccer Report. My thanks again to Jason Jensen for some of the images in this story. You can see more of Jason’s work on his Instagram.