PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ray Gaddis has been a standout defender for the Philadelphia Union since he was drafted out of West Virginia University in the second round of the 2012 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
Gaddis grew up in Indianapolis and soccer has been a passion for him for most of his life. He talked about when he started to realize the doors that the sport could open for him.
"I want to say, really around nine or ten, when I started to be able to travel and go to different states. I always knew that soccer would take me places," he said.
And he meant "always." Gaddis told a story about his father recording him as a young child. "I said I was going to be an All-American," he recalled. "I said I was going to be a professional soccer player."
Gaddis is the all-time Union leader in starts, appearances and minutes played. He's been with the team through some rough times and now is a leader as the Union has emerged as one of the top teams in all of MLS. He talked about taking stock of all the milestones and records.
"I think I'll look at them more as I'm older. I'll sit down and when I have kids and grandkids, I'll say, 'Hey, I was a part of this.' I do believe and I think that I've left a good impact even on our younger players," he reflected.
"The thing that is most important is changing the culture here, being a part of it, being entrusted by our coaches to be a leader. Really pushing this thing. My whole concept is to leave this place better than what I found it in every aspect and to leave my footprint in the sand with the Philadelphia Union."
You can listen to the entire interview with Ray Gaddis above, by checking out the latest episode of the KYW Newsradio original podcast, "1-on-1 with Matt Leon." Subscribe on the RADIO.COM app or wherever you get your podcasts.
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