COLUMBUS, Ohio - The result wasn’t one to cheer about, but the match itself was one John Nelson won’t soon forget.
As Dallas found itself chasing the match in the 74th minute, the No. 10 overall pick from this year’s SuperDraft checked in for his professional debut just 115 miles from his hometown of Medina, Ohio.
"It’s awesome,” the 21-year-old said after the match. “[It was ]very good to make my debut in my home state, a lot of family and friends here so it was an awesome experience.”
In just 16 minutes plus stoppage time, the left back made his mark as the visitors pushed for an equalizer, logging 12 passes with nine coming in the Crew SC half. Two of those created quality chances for Dallas in the dying minutes.
“It’s cool for him. His family was here. You know you could hear them in the stands,” Matt Hedges said after the match. “He came in and he’s a good player, he’s got a good left foot, you know he has good defensive instincts and I think he will be a guy who is in the league for a long time.”
“We have a great competition at the left back position,” head coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “Nelson is in [the middle of] that competition. It’s good competition and it’s good to see Nelson make his debut and show confidence and clarity on the ball, and to help us push the ball at the end.”
