Bobby Convey: The Silver Lining

Soccer Digest, Oct, 2000 by John Philip Wyllie

Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for D.C. United this year--except Bobby Convey

THE UNEXPECTED DECLINE of D.C. United this season left most prognosticators scratching their heads and United fans in disbelief. But even a team with a suddenly porous defense and a lifeless attack has a few bright spots, and one of the brightest of those has been the performance of United's youngest player, 17-year-old Bobby Convey.

D.C. United risked their first pick in the 2000 Superdraft on the diminutive Philadelphia native who, at the time, was a high school junior attending the Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, Florida. A member of the celebrated U.S. U-17 Team which finished fourth in the 1999 U-17 World Cup, Convey thus became the youngest player ever to be signed by the MLS.

Convey is at a loss to explain his accelerated development, but coming from a family of athletes hasn't hurt. Convey's father was a collegiate basketball player and later a coach. His sister, Kelly, played collegiate soccer for Penn State and was named to the 1998 NCAA Women's All-America Team. While many of his peers began youth soccer at seven or eight, Convey was playing at age five. His natural athleticism and considerable skills were no doubt enhanced last year by the 11 months of intense training he received while in residence with the U-17 national team in Florida.

United coach Thomas Rongen initially planned to bring Convey along slowly. However, a rash of injuries and a ceaseless parade of departures due to various national team commitments made him a frequent starter in the United lineup. "It is remarkable to see that a player his age has done so well so early," says Rongen. "It speaks volumes about him, but also speaks a little bit about our season. The amount of minutes that Bobby has seen has not been with any real intent, but he has played well and proven that he can be a starter in this league and on this team."

Being the youngest player in the league, Convey has attracted more than his share of media attention. And while he would rather play than talk, he understands that doing frequent interviews comes with being a professional.

"It's cut down from the beginning of the season, but a lot of people still want to talk to me" Convey says. "I don't worry about it too much. If it promotes the league and the team then it's good." Convey, who at 5'8" and 150 pounds is a bit small even for a teenager, makes up for his lack of size with superior skills and a good pace. Prior to his arrival at spring training, there was some concern about how Convey might be accepted by players who in some cases, are nearly twice his age.

Former United teammate Mike Slivinski, who has since departed for the A-League's San Diego Flash, recalls Convey's initial introduction to the team. "Any first-year player is going to be teased a bit initially, as he was, but Bobby is a great guy and one that is very mature and full of confidence," says Slivinski. "Whether they are 17 or 34, United is looking for people who can play. Bobby is a talent, so he was greeted with open arms."

Fellow midfielder Richie Williams has also been impressed by Convey. "He still has a way to go, but then he is only 17," Williams says. "He understands the game and he is putting in a good effort and doing his job. When he has stepped into the lineup, he has helped our team. He's a really good player with a bright future ahead of him."

Convey was listed as a forward on John Ellinger's U-17 national team, but he has been utilized more often as midfielder for United. His versatility is a definite asset. Convey has filled in respectably in five different positions for Rongen. His first regular season opportunity came in the week six of the season against the San Jose Earthquakes. He started and played the full 90 minutes four days later against Columbus and he's played frequently ever since--usually as a starter.

While Convey prefers playing in the middle, either in an attacking or defensive role, he has also performed well while patrolling United's flanks. Most of all, he is just glad to be playing and pleased to be learning from players such as United's captain, Marco Etcheverry, one of several who have taken a special interest in him.

"The whole team has been like a family and everyone treats me well, but I'm [especially] lucky to be on a team with Marco," Convey says. "He was my age when he started as a pro and I can learn a lot from him. He shows me a lot of stuff after practice and even when I have a bad day, he is always very positive."

For most rookies, a successful MLS transition hinges upon attaining a suitable skill level and adjusting to the pace of the league. For Convey, there has been the added burden of dealing with life away from home. His stint at the aforementioned residential Bollettieri Academy helped to prepare him for this, but becoming a full-time professional was an even greater leap.

In order to make Convey's transition to the professional ranks a smooth one, general manager Kevin Payne went beyond what might be expected of a team official. Payne and his wife Pam opened their home to Convey providing him a surrogate family along with free room and board. Convey was "adopted" into the Payne family and shares their Virginia home along with the Payne's two adolescent daughters.