BALTIMORE, Md. – In selecting Jordan McCrary with the 10th overall pick of Thursday afternoon’s MLS SuperDraft, New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps had to overlook one tiny detail.
Heaps, a proud graduate of Duke University, was thrilled to scoop up McCrary despite the young defender’s four-year college career at Duke’s biggest rival, the University of North Carolina.
“It means a lot to me because back where I am in Carolina, that doesn’t happen,” McCrary said with a knowing laugh. “Usually Duke people and North Carolina people aren’t the biggest fans, but I can’t wait to be a big fan with him.”
Heaps, for his part, called UNC “an excellent school” and said although there’s a tremendous rivalry between the North Carolina universities, there’s also a mutual respect.
Jokes aside, it was clear that the smile on McCrary’s face as he weaved his way through the media gauntlet on Thursday was genuine. Like every player selected, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream and – perhaps – the beginning of an exciting adventure in the professional ranks.
“It feels amazing,” McCrary said. “It still kind of feels like a dream and I’m waiting to wake up. I just can’t wait for this opportunity to step on the field with the rest of the guys and be a part of this organization.”
While the Revs went the route of “best player available” in the second round with the selection of Wake Forest winger Michael Gamble (30th overall), their pick of McCrary was calculated.
Heaps and the Revolution’s technical staff had targeted outside back as an area where the club required competition and depth and McCrary provides both, and can do so at both right back and left back.
But unlike most young defenders, McCrary isn’t distracted by an over-eagerness to get forward. He racked up nine assists in 86 career games with the Tar Heels, viewing himself as a “defense-first back.”
“I’m defense first, attack second,” McCrary said, noting a strength at one-on-one defending. “I like to pride myself on that. Hopefully I get to bring a little contribution to the team, hold down that backline and keep it steady and strong.”
McCrary could immediately challenge for minutes with New England, who feel confident with Chris Tierney at left back and London Woodberry at right back – and Darrius Barnes covering both sides – but require competition and depth at the position after Kevin Alston and Jeremy Hall departed this offseason.
“That’s one thing [the technical staff] was saying is that they’re looking for someone to be able to come in and make a big impact and I’m there,” McCrary said. “I want to be able to be that impact and be able to contribute to this team as much as I can.”
The 22-year-old defender won’t have to wait long to test himself as preseason camp opens in Foxborough next Friday evening. McCrary will spend a few days training with his new teammates at Gillette Stadium before taking off for Casa Grande, Arizona on January 26.
That short stint in Foxborough will be McCrary’s first-ever visit to New England, and while the Georgia native won’t be particularly used to the cold, he’s not letting that dampen his excitement.
“I’ve never been there. I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s going to be a whole new environment for me. I’m excited.”
