FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Cast away from his homegrown team, FC Dallas, after just one season and eight appearances, defender London Woodberry revived his career in the desert sun last year, playing for USL side Arizona United.
Getting an opportunity to gain experience through playing time, the former University of Maryland standout quickly worked his opportunity in Scottsdale into a return trip to the MLS.
Having been in the sights of the New England Revolution since his college days, Woodberry trialed with the club in the preseason, showing off a versatility that lead to a contract which is now paying big dividends for both sides after the 23-year-old finally cracked the lineup three weeks ago.
“It was definitely a lot of games and good training every day,” said Woodberry of his time with Arizona United, where he scored 3 goals in 27 appearances. “I stayed pretty fit because of the heat, had to adapt to that. I was in a good environment with people I knew, I felt comfortable, which allowed me to feel more comfortable in my game.
“Because I had more games, I had the opportunity to learn more … definitely the learning curve, playing a full professional season with 20-plus games, was important.”
“When we got him into preseason, we got to take a look at him in training and really get a look at him outside of center back,” said coach Jay Heaps. “We played him at right back in a game in preseason, it was only 15, maybe 30 minutes, but it was a really good 30 minutes for him.”
Following some injuries along the Revs backline, Woodberry’s preseason performance gave Heaps confidence to start him at right back in Week 7 against Philadelphia, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Showing a propensity to deliver beautiful service from the right side while also minding his defensive duties, Woodberry has started three straight matches, playing all 90 minutes in each. In the process he picked up his first MLS point, an assist off a right-side cross which found the head of
Charlie Davies
in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls.
“It was good,” said Woodberry on tallying the helper, one of his eight crosses into the penalty box over his three starts for the Revs. “Charlie made a great run and got on the end of it, which is nice for me. I’m just trying to take it one game at a time, hopefully more will come. Trying to keep my head on my shoulders.”
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Added Heaps: “London has taken to the task. He’s really instinctual defensively, and what he adds going forward is a bonus. But that’s one of his strengths, which we really like.”
While Woodberry was not afforded much of an opportunity to show off his skills on gameday for his hometown club FC Dallas, he does place much of that onus on himself.
Now, with veterans Bobby Shuttleworth, Jermaine Jones and Chris Tierney helping him adjust and get comfortable in his new home, he is taking full advantage of a fortuitous opportunity.
“I just kind of think it was bad timing, ultimately,” Woodberry told MLSsoccer.com about his time with FCD. “I can’t knock them because I got an opportunity there, but maybe I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been coming out of college. It’s just bad timing, some unluckiness, but I’m lucky to be where I am right now.”
