Word: rongen
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...intention to complete his degreerequirements, and he selflessly expressed hiswillingness to play in the lower A-league ranksfor a time in order to prove his worth. But it wasprecisely this aspect of McLaughlin's attitude,coupled with his ability to play a number ofpositions, that had prompted Rongen and theRevolution to draft McLaughlin...
...Anytime you draft a rookie, particularly insoccer, where it is quite a jump from college tothe professional level, you have to take along-term view," Rongen said. "For spots numbers18, 19 and 20 on the roster, you look for playerswho can play more than one position to give youdepth. Tommy was moved from defense to forward,which shows what a talented and versatile playerhe...
That self-confidence must have helpedMcLaughlin impress Rongen. On a bus ride home froman A-league scrimmage in Connecticut, Rongencalled McLaughlin to the front of the bus and madehim an offer he couldn't refuse. Rongen toldMcLaughlin to forget about playing A-league,because the Revolution wanted him on its roster,and management wanted to sign him as soon aspossible. At that moment, Tommy Mac's dream becamea reality...
Shortly after the MLS draft, Rongen commentedon McLaughlin's situation...
Luckily McLaughlin was not willing to wait, andthe Revolution did not have to. In sporadicpractices during a hectic schedule, McLaughlin wasable to show Rongen and the rest of theRevolution's coaching staff that he was ready tostep in and contribute. But that should come as nosurprise to Harvard fans who have watched TommyMac shuffle positions over the last four years tohelp the Crimson in any way he could...