Four months ago, Aiden McFadden was happily surprised to be selected by Atlanta United in the MLS draft.
He wasn’t watching the draft. He found out by text that he was selected. Instead, he was focused on staying at Notre Dame to play for one more season and completing his degree in business analytics.
Though he was drafted, he stayed in school to finish the season. A few days after he played his last game, McFadden drove from South Bend to Atlanta and signed with Atlanta United 2. He completed his course work online, which included a 45-page paper on the business and educational applications of Lego.
It seems McFadden made a good decision.
Earlier this week, McFadden was named the USL Championship Player of the Week after scoring four goals in two games to help Atlanta United 2 pick up four combined points against Tulsa and Memphis. The team will play Birmingham on Sunday, giving McFadden a chance to add to his team-leading tally.
“I wanted to play at the highest level I can,” he said. “I enjoy playing this game. I wanted to see what was next.”
McFadden said his favorite goal usually is his next goal, but said his last one, a right-footed volley in the final seconds of a 2-2 draw with Memphis on Sunday in Kennesaw, takes the top spot for now.
“Just happy that it went in and happy we got out of there with a hard-earned point,” he said. “We feel we have a good team this year and trying to make some noise.”
The other goals were examples of McFadden’s range of skills.
His third goal during the streak, and first against Memphis, was a free kick from 25 yards into the upper left corner.
His second in the streak came on a header after he beat his defender to the back post.
His first came when he won a header near midfield, continued his run some 50 yards and one-timed a shot from close range.
“Only two things I can promise, I will give you everything I have, I will run until I can’t run anymore,” he said. “I will learn from mistakes.”
Interim Atlanta United 2 manager Tony Annan said that McFadden’s work ethic, character and desire place him among the best players he has every coached.
“If you have (those) three things then you are on your way,” Annan said.
McFadden also is good at “play forward, run forward,” which Annan said is something the players often are told.
Now, McFadden needs to reign in that free spirit a bit and improve his tactical awareness, particularly his starting positions and finishing spots. He also need to work to improve his techniques with passes and dribbling.
McFadden’s dream is to play for the first team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He recognizes he’s not at that level yet, but will keep working to get there.
And, though it’s four months and four goals later, McFadden said he still can’t believe that he’s playing professionally, which has been a goal since he wrote it in a senior paper when he was younger.
“Part of me is still riding it,” he said. “Every day, I get up, I get to go play soccer, and they are giving me money for that. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. That’s still how I feel. It’s how I want to feel every day for the rest of my life.”
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