Please read this full story on Ray Gaddis in the latest edition of our Inside the Net online magazine
Re-signing Ray Gaddis was an obvious move for Philadelphia Union. In an age when fullback is one of the most important positions on the field, keeping those that excel is vital. But Gaddis isn't the prototype of the modern fullback. He's a defensive star who has never scored a goal, and since he was drafted the Union have twice added a right back that looked like someone who could keep Gaddis off the pitch.
But on Saturday night, Ray Gaddis will be on the pitch again, starting at right back on a team riding a two-match shutout streak. He has played in Philadelphia for eight seasons -- the Union are the only professional club he's ever known -- and he is the team's all-time leader in minutes and appearances.
Ask Gaddis how all of this happened and he has a simple answer: His faith connected him with the city of Philadelphia, and all the work he has put in since has been about fulfilling a path that was laid out for him years ago.
"The story I'm telling you," Gaddis begins, "it's not my own because God gets the glory."
The rest of it unfolds like this: During his senior season at West Virginia, one of the best defenders in the country picks up an ankle injury and misses the latter portion of the short collegiate season. He fights to return for the College Cup and helps his team to the second round; they fall to Maryland.
Invitations are sent out for the Major League Soccer pre-draft combine; Ray Gaddis doesn't receive one.
"A lot of people thought I was crazy for going," the former West Virginia defender and now-MLS veteran admits. But again, the story is not his own: He sought guidance and, when it came, he trusted in it.
"I was praying in my room, it was a day before the draft, and the lord spoke to me," Gaddis continues. "He said: You're going to get drafted. And he actually told me the two cities -- I won't tell you the other city -- and I couldn't make this up! I told my parents the two cities."
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