D.C. United's technical staff raised some eyebrows last week when, despite surrendering six goals in two MLS matches, they used their 28th and final roster spot to further bolster their copious attacking resources, signing unheralded striker Nicholas Addlery.
But early returns suggest that the club's faith in the big Jamaican is well-placed. Addlery's impressive work on the training field and prolific scoring with the reserve team led to a substitute appearance in Saturday's loss in Columbus, his first senior match in a United uniform.
"Hard work, tenacity, the ability to get goals," said Addlery when asked to describe what he brings to the Black-and-Red. "I want to be part of the winning mentality."
His size, speed and finishing acumen have served him well over a uniquely globetrotting career, and his arrival in Washington has already ramped up the competition for playing time among United's strike force.
"When he's gotten chances, he's put them away," said head coach Tom Soehn. "You can never have enough of that. When the balls are delivered into the box, he's looking to get on the end of it, like Luciano [Emilio]. So we saw some qualities in him that we think can help."
United routinely loan young players to United Soccer League teams to gain experience and match action. But in Addlery's case, the direction was reversed as the striker made his way from the Virginia Beach Mariners to United after an ownership dispute triggered the saddening demise of the USL First Division club.
"It was a heartbreaking situation," Addlery said of the Mariners' folding. "We had a good group of guys, a good mix of talent, we had a good coach who used to work in MLS, Colin Clarke. It was tough."
The four-hour move north to D.C. is a simple relocation compared to the far-ranging journeys he's already taken. Addlery hails from the Red Hills area of Kingston, Jamaica, but he had secured a green card to emigrate to the United States upon completing secondary school when he was approached by a coach from California University of Pennsylvania, an NCAA Division II program located outside Pittsburgh.
After a prolific career with the Vulcans, he made his way to Trinidad & Tobago and had earned a spot on one of that nation's top teams, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, before his coach made an intriguing proposition: a trial with Dong Nai F.C. in Vietnam.
"He asked me if I wanted an opportunity to go up, an opportunity to move forward in my career, so I had to take advantage of that," said Adderly. "It was a good experience, I thought. The soccer was good."
Trading the West Indies for Dong Nai, a heavily industrial region near Ho Chi Minh City, would seem to be a perfect recipe for culture shock - and while the 6-1, 185-pound Addlery certainly drew his share of stares from the local population, he thoroughly enjoyed plying his trade in a distant land.
"I relish the opportunity to do things like that, because I like to grow as a person, go different places and do different things," he said. "I tried to learn a little bit of the language. You never know - I might be a translator one day!"
United's losing streak has prompted deepening concern around RFK Stadium, and with head coach Tom Soehn demanding more commitment from his side in the wake of its pallid performance against the Crew, Addlery's desire and confidence could earn him more playing time at the senior level.
"He's a guy that comes to training every day and gives passion," said midfielder Ben Olsen. "He came at the right time. The coaches saw that, I believe, and rewarded him for the hard work he's done. He makes it very difficult for our backs at training. He's busy, he's strong and he's hungry to play, hungry to stay in this league. In that sense, he's been a blessing to all of us."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
