When New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol needs a young player, there's a good chance the Atlantic Coast Conference will be involved.
At the start of last week, nine players on the Revolution roster played their college ball in the nation's top soccer conference. The Revs coaching staff scouts the ACC consistently during the year and likes the ability of its players to adapt to the professional game.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol kept that in mind as he searched for some cover in defensive midfield last week. All of a sudden, the Revs looked short in that area. Shalrie Joseph is off with Grenada for World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica on June 14 and June 21. Gary Flood picked up a left ankle sprain that leaves him doubtful.
In a pinch for some depth, Nicol turned to what he knew and increased the number of ACC players on his roster to 10. Off went a vacant international slot to Toronto FC in exchange for Pat Phelan, a rookie defensive midfielder out of Wake Forest.
"There's a possibility that Shalrie could be missing for a few games," Nicol said. "Gary Flood's injured at the moment. We know all about [Phelan]. It was pretty straightforward. We've seen him all four years he was at Wake Forest, so we know all about him. We know his capabilities."
Those capabilities might have led to his selection by New England in this year's SuperDraft, Nicol said, but Toronto selected Phelan before the Revs had a chance to make their first selection.
Nicol is pleased that he managed to add someone who he thinks can parallel other successful players already on the roster.
"He reminds me of Jeff [Larentowicz, Revs defensive midfielder]," Nicol said of his new red-headed midfielder. "His passing is good. He'll win the ball and then distribute the ball."
Fellow Wake Forest alum Michael Parkhurst played alongside Phelan for one season before joining the Revolution and thinks Phelan will fit right into the system.
"He's a versatile player," Parkhurst said. "He played in the back line with me, but I think he played defensive midfield after I left. He's a strong guy who tackles well and is good in the air. He passes the ball well. He's a good addition for us."
Parkhurst said players with Phelan's abilities to adapt to the professional level tend to thrive in New England because of the emphasis the coaching staff places on cerebral players willing to adapt to the system.
"Under the tutelage here, it's an easy environment to do well," Parkhurst said. "I think he'll do well. He's closer to home and he knows a few of us on the team. Hopefully, it'll be a comfortable environment for him."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
