FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Seattle Sounders FC right back Jordan McCrary started his professional career with the New England Revolution, though he never really managed to break into the club’s starting ranks.
In fact, McCrary, who the Revolution drafted 10th overall in the 2016 MLS Superdraft, was released at the conclusion of his rookie season after failing to record a single appearance.
But McCrary appears to harbor no bad blood against his former team.
He spoke briefly to reporters after the Sounders’ 0-0 draw with the Revolution Saturday night in what was also his first competitive game at Gillette Stadium.
“[I] didn’t get as much time as I really wanted, but at the end of the day, things happen for a reason and I’m [in Seattle] now and things are going well,” said McCrary after going the full 90 minutes against New England.
McCrary, who has made 11 appearances this season for the Sounders, left MLS briefly after having his contract option declined by New England in November 2016.
He signed with Toronto FC II, a USL team, making 26 appearances in 2017. He then earned a tryout before the 2018 season with the Sounders and impressed the coaching staff enough to earn his second shot in MLS.
“As a professional athlete, you just have to grind,” McCrary said. “No matter where you go, what’s going to happen, you just got to grind, day to day, and let the opportunities fall into place. When I got the opportunity to come out to preseason with Seattle, I tried to take as much as I could. And then, we’re here right now. Things have been going OK. We just want to keep it going from there.”
When asked about why McCrary never appeared in a competitive game for the Revolution (he went out on loan to the Rochester Rhinos of the USL), the Alpharetta, Ga., native came up with a few excuses.
“I mean, we had Andrew Farrell,” McCrary said. “He’s a good player. He was drafted No. 1, so what much can you say? Just learn from him and go from here. I think I learned a bit. So, we go from there, we’re here, Seattle.”
Was there any explanation from former Revolution head coach Jay Heaps as to why he didn’t get as many chances with the first team?
“That’s what I would say I like about Seattle right now: A lot of communication back and forth from the coaches about everything,” McCrary said. “There wasn’t much then. Now, I think it’s a good situation. I’m able to talk with my coaches…and we’re on the same page… figure out what I need to get better at each day.
“[Jay Heaps] was a good coach. It’s no knock to him or anything. He was a good coach, it was just that I was new as well. Maybe we just didn’t create that relationship right away, I don’t know. But I’m happy right now. I like Seattle.”