Last Thursday University of Tampa alumnus Ryan Maxwell was drafted by the New England Revolution in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft held in St. Louis, Missouri.
‘I was so nervous that I couldn’t even watch the TV,’ said the Tampa soccer alum as he anxiously awaited his fate while watching MLS Draft with a handful of friends in Tampa. ‘When it came time I had to leave the room to watch it by myself because I was just too nervous.’
As soon as he heard that he had been drafted as the 15th overall pick, the last in the first round, there was only one thing for him to do.
‘As soon as I found out I got drafted, I called my mother back home (in Jamaica),’ Maxwell said. ‘I credit all of my soccer accomplishments thus far to her. She has always believed I could be a professional (soccer) player, so this is for her,’ Maxwell said.
Although quick to praise his mother for his accomplishments, Maxwell was very insistent in recognizing and thanking his coaches at UT.
‘But I also have to give credit and much thanks to my coaches and trainers that I have worked with both here at UT and back home,’ said Maxwell. ‘The coaches at UT have taught me to be both a better player and person’hellip;they were patient with me and always believed in me.’
The Revolution has always had a reputation of being one of the best clubs in the MLS, and Maxwell is eager to continue that legacy next year. Last year the Revolution won the SuperLiga tournament in a penalty kick shootout against MLS rival Houston Dynamo.
‘New England has always been a fantastic soccer team and I’m happy to be drafted by them,’ Maxwell said. ‘My expectations are do well; I hope to create and score goals and do anything that will help my new team in every way possible.’
Maxwell is in the process of talking with his mother and Tampa coaches, figuring out what his next move will be. ‘Right now I’m just enjoying the moment. We’ll figure everything else out later,’ Maxwell said.
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