Reading United AC News Release - www.readingunitedac.com
Thursday, February 23, 2012
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – The Philadelphia Union needed a viable option this upcoming season along the back line. For the second straight year, the Reading United’s partnership proved useful, as the Union selected Raymon Gaddis with the 35th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.
“Well, the draft was the day before my birthday – it was a tremendous birthday present for me,” said Gaddis. “It’s a dream come true, actually.”
Gaddis, who officially signed with the Union on Tuesday after several weeks of preseason training, credits the relationships made in Reading as a key factor in his transition to the professional game.
“Coach [Brendan] Burke put together a great atmosphere with good players to play with game in and game out. Obviously, the players he brought in, if you look at his track record of recruiting, include C.J. Sapong, Andrew Wenger, Zarek Valentin and myself to just name some of the notable players in the MLS.”
The relationship between Gaddis and Sapong that began during the 2010 season in Reading has not only given Gaddis something to aspire for in a Rookie of the Year nod, but also someone to offer advice during the trials and tribulations of the MLS season.
“[C.J.] and I keep in contact very often,” Gaddis explained. “He is a peer of mine, but at the same time he is like a mentor for me. He kept encouraging me throughout the college season prior to being drafted and encouraged me to stay humble like him. Just continue to work hard, day in and day out, and good things will happen.”
That same hard work is something that is needed to crack a very talented back four, which includes captain Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, newcomer Porfirio Lopez and recently extended Sheanon Williams.
While Gaddis will likely slot in at right back, he was not opposed to playing elsewhere along the back line, saying “I feel that I can play anywhere that the coaching staff wants me to play. I have a great knack for just taking offensive players out of the game. I’m a hard worker, and that translates to any position.”
One of three United alumni to hear their names called in the MLS SuperDraft, Gaddis is glad he ended up right down the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
“It was a tremendous honor to be drafted by the Philadelphia Union; it’s a first-class organization. I couldn’t ask for a better fit. It’s a blessing, it’s a great blessing.”