Ray Gaddis

Raymon "Ray" Gaddis (born January 13, 1990) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati.

Ray Gaddis
Gaddis playing for the Philadelphia Union
Personal information
Full name Raymon Gaddis
Date of birth (1990-01-13) January 13, 1990
Place of birth Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 FC Cincinnati
Number 28
Youth career
North Central Panthers
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 West Virginia Mountaineers 72 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Reading United 9 (1)
2012–2020 Philadelphia Union 221 (0)
2022– FC Cincinnati 29 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 2, 2023

College career

Gaddis grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, attended North Central High School, and played college soccer at West Virginia from 2009–2011. Gaddis received second team all-Big East honors in his junior and senior seasons respectively. Gaddis was also one of two players to play every minute during the 2010 campaign. Gaddis ended his college career with 6 assists in 73 career games. Gaddis also played for Philadelphia Union PDL affiliate Reading United in 2010 and 2011. During his tenure at Reading, he scored a goal and registered 8 assists.

Club career

Gaddis was drafted in the second round (35th overall) of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union.[1] Gaddis made his MLS Debut on April 14 against the Columbus Crew SC when Danny Califf was a late scratch. On June 23, he recorded his first MLS assist in the Union’s 4–0 win over Sporting Kansas City.[2] Gaddis's rookie season finished with 18 appearances, including 17 starts, earning him recognition in the Soccer By Ives 2012 MLS All-Rookie Best XI.[3][4] His rookie season was further recognized by earning the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Male Athlete of the Year.[5][6]

During the 2014 season, the Union signed Gaddis to a contract extension through the 2016 season on September 10.[7] Through the 2014 season, Gaddis became a mainstay of the Union's defense, often deployed as a left-back (as opposed to his natural right-sided position). He would finish the season with 34 starts and contributed to the Union's first U.S. Open Cup final.[8] Gaddis was also recognized in 2014 with the team specific FIFA 15 MLS covers where it was reveal Gaddis was chosen as the cover man to represent the Union.[9]

In August 2018, Gaddis became the Union's all time leader in minutes played after a home win against New England Revolution.[10] Gaddis re-signed with the Union in January 2019, keeping in Philadelphia for an eighth season.[11]

On March 4, 2021, Gaddis announced his retirement from professional soccer, after appearing in 227 matches for Philadelphia.[12] On January 5, 2022, he came out of retirement to sign for FC Cincinnati on a contract that runs through 2023 with an option for the 2024 season. The move reunited him with both Cincinnati head coach and former Union assistant Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright, his former Union teammate and later the club's technical director.[13]

Personal life

Gaddis is a Christian.[14] Gaddis is active in giving back to the community. On January 7, 2013, Gaddis represented the Philadelphia Union in Newtown, Connecticut for the "Soccer for Newtown" event. In March 2013, Gaddis and fellow Union members participated in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.[15]

In 2020, Gaddis took up an instrumental role in the creation of Black Players for Change, an organization of MLS players and coaches intended to help spur political action with peaceful protests and to amplify black voices and black communities.[5][16]

Career statistics

Club
As of September 4, 2021[17]
Club performance League Playoffs National cup Other Total
SeasonClubLeague AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
2012Philadelphia UnionMajor League Soccer1800020–200
20133100020–330
20143400050–390
20152800050–330
2016700020–90
20172600010–270
20182801040–330
20193402010–370
202015010003[lower-alpha 1]0190
Career total 221040220002500
  1. Appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament

Honors

Philadelphia Union

Individual

References
  1. "Union select Hoffman, Jordan, Gaddis in 2012 SuperDraft". Philadelphia Union. 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  2. "Meet Philadelphia Union Defender, Ray Gaddis". fcdelco.org. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  3. "Raymon Gaddis | Philadelphia Union player profile".
  4. "SBI 2012 MLS All-Rookie Best XI". Soccer By Ives. 2012-10-31.
  5. Matthew McClain (16 July 2020). "Ray Gaddis: 200th start and a lasting legacy". phillysportsnetwork.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  6. @PhilaUnion (November 20, 2012). "Congratulations to @raygaddis who received the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Male Athlete of the Year. Well deserved. #DOOP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. Ed Farnsworth (10 September 2014). "Union announce new contract for Ray Gaddis". phillysoccerpage.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  8. Nick Youngstein (30 December 2014). "2014 Philadelphia Union Player Review: Ray Gaddis". brotherlygame.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  9. "Major League Soccer (MLS)". www.facebook.com.
  10. Jonathan Tannenwald (August 26, 2018). "Ray Gaddis makes Union history in all-time minutes played". www.philly.com. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  11. "Philadelphia Union Re-Sign Defender Raymon Gaddis". philadelphiaunion.com. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  12. "Philadelphia Union Defender Ray Gaddis Announces Retirement".
  13. "FC Cincinnati sign defender Ray Gaddis | FC Cincinnati".
  14. "Philadelphia Union defender Ray Gaddis glorifies God through soccer". Sports Spectrum. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  15. "The Delaware County Daily Times Blogs: Union Tally: Union get presidential for Easter holiday".
  16. "Ray Gaddis | Black Players for Change profile". blackplayersforchange.org. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  17. "United States – R. Gaddis – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com.
  18. "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
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