Gaddis has right mindset, will be successful in MLS

When he was a sophomore in high school, Ray Gaddis played three sports at North Central High School in Indianapolis. He ran track, was a shortstop in baseball and played on the back line for the soccer team.

It’s not uncommon to see a high school athlete, especially someone as talented as Gaddis, play that many sports. What is rare, however, was the decision that Gaddis made following that year.

"I had a conversation with my dad and he sat me down and told me I needed to choose the one sport that I really loved and focus on it," Gaddis said. "I liked all of them, but I fell in love with soccer.

"After my sophomore season, I knew that was the one I really wanted to pursue the most. That’s when I put my focus completely on that."

That decision was made with a goal in mind. He wanted to rise up the ranks and become a professional soccer player.

Six years later, Gaddis has made that dream come true. The former Mountaineer right back has made an impact with the Philadelphia Union in his rookie season.

It’s the work ethic and mentality that got him to this point that will help him succeed and stay in the MLS for a long time.

Of course, some realizations came with making the jump to the big leagues. First, and most importantly, he realized that – more than anything – professional sports is a business. He was quick to learn how much different it was than the college level.

"I saw how serious this league is as soon as the preseason started. You see right off the bat that it’s a business," he said. "You see that coaches will cut you if you aren’t playing well and then you won’t have a job anymore.

"When you get drafted, it’s great. But then you still have to play well and make the team. You’re not guaranteed anything anymore."

Yes, Gaddis – who was selected No. 35 overall by the Union this season – understands that side of it. But when it’s all
said and done, he still knows he’s getting paid to play the game he grew up loving.

And he has fun with it.

Gaddis has become a fan favorite in his first season in Philadelphia. Fans chant his name, make signs in his honor and even design their own t-shirts dedicated to their favorite rookie.

He’s even been known to wander around the parking lot before games to interact with the fans before they enter PPL Park to watch the game.

"I’ve been just taking it all in. You’ve got to enjoy it," Gaddis said. "There are always going to be ups and downs, especially early on, but you have to enjoy it or else you won’t stick around very long."

Call it a hunch, but at this rate Gaddis won’t have a very hard time sticking around the MLS and with the Union. He carries himself the way a lot of professional organizations would love the face of their franchise to conduct himself.

He’s not going to get in trouble off the field.

He will be great for the fans and he will play hard and handle himself professionally.

Chances are that won’t change anytime soon. Gaddis knows he’s getting to live out his dreams, and he doesn’t want to do anything to mess that up.

"I look around the league and talk to some of my friends who are a little down because they haven’t gotten to play much yet and I know that the fact that I’m getting to do what I’m doing right now is a huge blessing," Gaddis, who has started nine games this season, said. "I have to credit Coach (Marlon) LeBlanc and the rest of the staff at WVU because they taught me a lot about professionalism and how to carry myself on and off the field.

"That’s been huge for me this year, and I’m sure I wouldn’t be as far as I am right now without it, but I still have a lot of work to do to make sure I get even better."