Jan. 13, 2011 – Revolution select A.J. Soares with No. 6 pick in draft

Today in NE Soccer History

Jan. 13, 2011 – Revolution select A.J. Soares with No. 6 pick in MLS SuperDraft

This turned out to be Steve Nicol’s final MLS draft as Revolution coach, and Nicol showed he still could pick winners. In 1999, when Nicol arrived in the U.S. to be a player/coach with the Framingham-based Boston Bulldogs he might not have known the difference between the MLS draft and the Selective Service. But Nicol caught on quickly and two of his prize picks were central defenders: Michael Parkhurst (2005) and Anthony James Soares.

Soares progressed quickly, and Nicol placed him in the starting lineup for his first MLS game, paired with Franco Coria in central defense for a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy in the season-opener at the Home Depot Center March 20, 2011. Soares thrived starting next to Jose Gonçalves in his final two Revolution seasons. Soares’ MLS days ended where they started, with a 2-1 extra time loss to the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in the 2014 MLS Cup, among his final acts a disdainful shove on Jaime Penedo.

The Revolution had not acted quickly enough in attempting to re-sign Soares, and so he was soon off to Europe. Things did not go as Soares hoped, a pre-contract with Verona failing to come through, landing him in Norway, then Denmark, before he announced his retirement due to injuries last year.

I always thought the Revolution should have negotiated a new deal with Soares sooner, since his Italian passport was going to provide him with Euro options. Having known Soares’ family in San Diego for many years, I had a strong feeling about him be ambitious and wise enough to capitalize on the opportunity. That was one reason I emphasized his dual citizenship on draft day: “Soares has an Italian passport, but decided to forgo a career in Europe, for now.”

The Revolution also might have taken Soares’ advice to attempt to acquire Servando Carrasco, his closest friend growing up. Carrasco was selected in the second round (27^th overall) and has developed into a dependable starter for Orlando City SC.

Here is the story I wrote for 1/14/11 editions of the Boston Globe:

The Revolution continued to rebuild from the back in yesterday’s MLS SuperDraft. The Revolution selected central defender A.J. Soares with the sixth pick, two days after announcing the signing of French left back Didier Domi.

Soares, 22, helped California reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament and was the Pac-10 player of the year.

Soares was a forward growing up in San Diego, moving to defender as a college freshman.

“For me, I would do anything to get on the field and they moved me [to defender] when I first got there and it was the right thing to do,” Soares said. “I like putting a hit on and making a stop as much as [playing in an attacking role]. It’s the same thing with the Revolution, I’ll do anything to get on the field.

“Stevie [Nicol] is a legend in the game and it’s an honor to be picked by him. I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot from him.”

Soares has an Italian passport, but decided to forgo a career in Europe, for now.

“I’m committed to the Revolution,” Soares said. “I love American sports and I’m glad to have the opportunity to play here.”

The Revolution, who acquired former Dynamo defender Ryan Cochrane last month, also used a second-round pick on midfielder Stephen McCarthy (University of North Carolina), and third-round picks on forwards Steven Perry (Notre Dame) and Alan Koger (William & Mary), and forward/midfielder Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn., and Monmouth College).