FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Hailed as a possible future defender for the US national team, and a member of MLSsoccer.com's “24 Under 24” list for the second consecutive season, Andrew Farrell is coming up aces in his sophomore campaign with the New England Revolution.
But don’t tell that to the 2013 MLS SuperDraft’s top overall selection, who happens to be his own harshest critic.
“I think I’m doing alright,” Farrell told MLSsoccer.com. “This season, something I talked to my agent and talked to my coaching staff about was just being consistent. I think I’ve had some really, really good performances, and I’ve had some performances that haven’t been my best.”
You’d be hard pressed to find many other detractors of the 22-year-old, who has taken on an increased role with the Revs in his sophomore campaign.
After starting 32 games last season, all at right back, Farrell has been routinely asked to fill in at center back this year, spending 10 of his 29 starts in the heart of defense, including last Friday’s 3-2 win at Sporting Kansas City.
“Just being able to do what he did [last Friday], going from right back to center back, I thought he was really good, he did an excellent job,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “That game could have been played in the backyard of someone’s house and he would have fought just as hard. That’s just the kind of kid he is.”
The amenable defender admits that the position switching, which has come usually when the team hits a rough patch with injuries, hasn’t always been easy, but guidance from his teammates has helped him ramp up quickly.
“My future is probably at center back,” said Farrell. “But we have A.J. [Soares] and Jose [Goncalves] who have been great all season for us. Whatever coach wants me to do, I’ll play.”
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Those teammates in turn credit Farrell’s desire to soak up all he can every day that the team is together.
“He has progressed a lot in the last two years,” said Goncalves, the Revs' captain. “He comes every day here to learn. If you come with this mentality, you progress and you can only be good in the future.”
Farrell leads New England in both starts (29) and minutes (2,610) and maintains the philosophy that you are only as good as the company you keep.
“It’s just good that the team is doing so well right now and happy to be in the position we’re in,” said Farrell. “Career-wise, as the team does well, you always look well.”
