Look, Graham Smith gets it.
He understands that if you only pay attention to goals and assists and attacking flair, he’s not going to jump out at you. Fine. It is what it is.
But to hear North Carolina FC’s rookie midfielder tell it, “Somebody’s gotta do the dirty work out there.”
Like goals and assists, “the dirty work” – although often less quantifiable – leads to points in the table. That was the case when NCFC visited Bethlehem Steel last month.
Looking to preserve a 1-1 draw in the dying minutes of a match away from home, NCFC found itself pinned back deep in its own end, desperately defending its goal as a collective, 11-man unit.
All of that hard work could have been undone, however, when Bethlehem’s James Chambers stepped into a powerful shot from 12 yards out.
It was going to be the match-winning goal, surely. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, through no fault of his own, was going the wrong way. Chambers’ shot was destined for the left side of the net as the 96th minute approached.
Late-match drama can be brutal at times, and this looked to be one of those occasions.
Insert Smith, the first-year professional who has quietly emerged as one of NCFC’s most consistent and dependable players in 2018.
In what was a match-saving move, the selfless Smith alertly dropped to the ground, put his body on the line and blocked the shot with his ribs. Temporary pain? For sure. But it’s the cost he’ll blindly pay to avoid a loss that would have been even more agonizing.
Ask those at the club about Smith – head coach Colin Clarke, for example – and they’ll gush about his work rate and describe a guy willing to do the little things to make the team better.
According to Clarke, you can best measure a player’s work rate by looking at what he does without the ball, not just with it at his feet.
On that brutally hot July afternoon, what Smith did away from the ball earned NCFC a crucial point that could come in handy down the road, a play teammate Steven Miller said “epitomizes” Smith’s game.
“Somebody’s got to be the behind-the-scenes guy that keeps the team together,” Smith said.
There was nothing low-key about this moment for Smith. In this moment, the behind-the-scenes guy was front and center.
Look, Graham Smith gets it.
He understands that if you only pay attention to goals and assists and attacking flair, he’s not going to jump out at you. Fine. It is what it is.
But to hear North Carolina FC’s rookie midfielder tell it, “Somebody’s gotta do the dirty work out there.”
Like goals and assists, “the dirty work” – although often less quantifiable – leads to points in the table. That was the case when NCFC visited Bethlehem Steel last month.
Looking to preserve a 1-1 draw in the dying minutes of a match away from home, NCFC found itself pinned back deep in its own end, desperately defending its goal as a collective, 11-man unit.
All of that hard work could have been undone, however, when Bethlehem’s James Chambers stepped into a powerful shot from 12 yards out.
It was going to be the match-winning goal, surely. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, through no fault of his own, was going the wrong way. Chambers’ shot was destined for the left side of the net as the 96th minute approached.
Late-match drama can be brutal at times, and this looked to be one of those occasions.
Insert Smith, the first-year professional who has quietly emerged as one of NCFC’s most consistent and dependable players in 2018.
In what was a match-saving move, the selfless Smith alertly dropped to the ground, put his body on the line and blocked the shot with his ribs. Temporary pain? For sure. But it’s the cost he’ll blindly pay to avoid a loss that would have been even more agonizing.
Ask those at the club about Smith – head coach Colin Clarke, for example – and they’ll gush about his work rate and describe a guy willing to do the little things to make the team better.
According to Clarke, you can best measure a player’s work rate by looking at what he does without the ball, not just with it at his feet.
On that brutally hot July afternoon, what Smith did away from the ball earned NCFC a crucial point that could come in handy down the road, a play teammate Steven Miller said “epitomizes” Smith’s game.
“Somebody’s got to be the behind-the-scenes guy that keeps the team together,” Smith said.
There was nothing low-key about this moment for Smith. In this moment, the behind-the-scenes guy was front and center.
Smith’s journey to NCFC
Clarke describes Smith, a 24-year-old New Hope, Pa., native, as someone who will “do anything that he needs to do to become a professional soccer player,” a conclusion he arrived at after watching the 5-8, 155-pound midfielder compete at NCFC’s invite-only player combine this past December.
Smith’s journey to the club strengthens that notion and tells the story of a player desperate for a chance.
In fall 2016, Smith played his final collegiate season at the University of South Florida, where he transferred to in 2014 following two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. Having already earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting but still on scholarship, Smith figured he would stick around during the 2017 spring semester to work on his MBA.
But the desire to play professionally was still there, even if catching on with a team proved elusive.
Smith earned trials with multiple clubs but was repeatedly told a variation of a similar message: Thanks, but no thanks.
“Getting trials out of college was difficult. I was still pursuing it, but not a lot was coming about,” he said. “I heard a lot of, ‘We think you’re good enough, but we just don’t have a roster spot,’ or, ‘We’re full at that position.’”
Still eager to play, Smith was approached by a coach he knew from his time at South Florida about going down to Trinidad & Tobago to join Central FC, a club that typically brings in a several new players in advance of the Caribbean Club Championship, a competition to determine which team from the region earns a spot in the Concacaf Champions League.
Not knowing what to expect but thinking that it “sounded like a cool life experience,” Smith headed south in May 2017 to join Central FC, and played for a month with the club. It was time well spent for Smith, who met some new people and broadened his horizons.
He knew that wasn’t a long-term gig, though, and returned to the U.S. later during the summer. Still unable to join a club in the U.S., Smith began working with a soccer training company.
At last, Smith was presented with an opportunity by his agent as 2017 approached its end: an invite to NCFC’s player combine in December.
As Smith puts it, trials and tryouts can be tricky “because you don’t know what the team already has” or what their positions of need are. Performing well in these auditions is often just one part of the equation.
But at least he had the chance over a three-day span to prove his worth to a new set of coaches and observers. Maybe this time somebody would appreciate his hustle, technical ability and organization in the midfield.
Determined to stand out, Smith did just that. His work ethic spoke for itself and captured the attention of Clarke, who was impressed with Smith from the get-go. Smith also tried to be vocal on the field as well, willing to show his commitment to being a leader.
Clarke and his staff liked what they saw, and Smith thought he performed well but knew better than to get his hopes up.
“You never really know what a coach is thinking,” Smith said, but he thought he “left a good impression.”
Smith was right and soon thereafter received an invitation to join NCFC in the preseason as a trialist in February. After continuing to play well, Smith earned a contract offer from the club. At last, the player who was told no multiple times and went all the way to Trinidad & Tobago to practice his trade had the opportunity to sign with a club in the U.S.
“I took it and haven’t looked back since,” he said.
What’s followed has been a dream start to Smith’s professional career. Relied on immediately, he started in NCFC’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in March, the first of 20 times he’s been part of Clarke’s starting XI. Each appearance for Smith has come as a start, and he’s played the full 90 minutes in 17 matches.
Defensively sound and a key distributor, Smith has made himself known in the middle of the park for NCFC. His 1,098 passes completed are the second-most on the team, and he leads the group of NCFC players to have completed 1,000 or more passes with a passing accuracy of 87.5 percent.
Watch Smith play on defense and he’ll stand out for both his aggressiveness – he leads NCFC in both tackles (53) and tackles won (33) – and ability to stay in position, rarely getting caught off-guard.
The numbers back up what is evident to both his teammates and coaches: Smith has been vital to NCFC in 2018.
“If you asked me six months ago if this was going to be the scenario,” Smith said, “I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”
Smith’s journey to NCFC
Clarke describes Smith, a 24-year-old New Hope, Pa., native, as someone who will “do anything that he needs to do to become a professional soccer player,” a conclusion he arrived at after watching the 5-8, 155-pound midfielder compete at NCFC’s invite-only player combine this past December.
Smith’s journey to the club strengthens that notion and tells the story of a player desperate for a chance.
In fall 2016, Smith played his final collegiate season at the University of South Florida, where he transferred to in 2014 following two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. Having already earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting but still on scholarship, Smith figured he would stick around during the 2017 spring semester to work on his MBA.
But the desire to play professionally was still there, even if catching on with a team proved elusive.
Smith earned trials with multiple clubs but was repeatedly told a variation of a similar message: Thanks, but no thanks.
“Getting trials out of college was difficult. I was still pursuing it, but not a lot was coming about,” he said. “I heard a lot of, ‘We think you’re good enough, but we just don’t have a roster spot,’ or, ‘We’re full at that position.’”
Still eager to play, Smith was approached by a coach he knew from his time at South Florida about going down to Trinidad & Tobago to join Central FC, a club that typically brings in a several new players in advance of the Caribbean Club Championship, a competition to determine which team from the region earns a spot in the Concacaf Champions League.
Not knowing what to expect but thinking that it “sounded like a cool life experience,” Smith headed south in May 2017 to join Central FC, and played for a month with the club. It was time well spent for Smith, who met some new people and broadened his horizons.
He knew that wasn’t a long-term gig, though, and returned to the U.S. later during the summer. Still unable to join a club in the U.S., Smith began working with a soccer training company.
At last, Smith was presented with an opportunity by his agent as 2017 approached its end: an invite to NCFC’s player combine in December.
As Smith puts it, trials and tryouts can be tricky “because you don’t know what the team already has” or what their positions of need are. Performing well in these auditions is often just one part of the equation.
But at least he had the chance over a three-day span to prove his worth to a new set of coaches and observers. Maybe this time somebody would appreciate his hustle, technical ability and organization in the midfield.
Determined to stand out, Smith did just that. His work ethic spoke for itself and captured the attention of Clarke, who was impressed with Smith from the get-go. Smith also tried to be vocal on the field as well, willing to show his commitment to being a leader.
Clarke and his staff liked what they saw, and Smith thought he performed well but knew better than to get his hopes up.
“You never really know what a coach is thinking,” Smith said, but he thought he “left a good impression.”
Smith was right and soon thereafter received an invitation to join NCFC in the preseason as a trialist in February. After continuing to play well, Smith earned a contract offer from the club. At last, the player who was told no multiple times and went all the way to Trinidad & Tobago to practice his trade had the opportunity to sign with a club in the U.S.
“I took it and haven’t looked back since,” he said.
What’s followed has been a dream start to Smith’s professional career. Relied on immediately, he started in NCFC’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in March, the first of 20 times he’s been part of Clarke’s starting XI. Each appearance for Smith has come as a start, and he’s played the full 90 minutes in 17 matches.
Defensively sound and a key distributor, Smith has made himself known in the middle of the park for NCFC. His 1,098 passes completed are the second-most on the team, and he leads the group of NCFC players to have completed 1,000 or more passes with a passing accuracy of 87.5 percent.
Watch Smith play on defense and he’ll stand out for both his aggressiveness – he leads NCFC in both tackles (53) and tackles won (33) – and ability to stay in position, rarely getting caught off-guard.
The numbers back up what is evident to both his teammates and coaches: Smith has been vital to NCFC in 2018.
“If you asked me six months ago if this was going to be the scenario,” Smith said, “I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”
‘But you can still work hard’
Ask Miller, Smith’s teammate, for a scouting report on the first-year pro, and he’ll reply with sarcasm.
“Graham Smith? Very average player, doesn’t work very hard, doesn’t like to train,” Miller said with a wry smile across his face before changing course and noting that Smith is “obviously the opposite of all that.”
In reality, Miller appreciates Smith for being the type of teammate who does “the dirty work that you don’t necessarily see on the stat sheet.”
“That’s something that I value as a player,” Miller said. “That’s something I founded my game [on], so I respect anybody who can put the work in day in and day out and always busts their butt.”
As a player, Smith doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as only a hard worker. He knows he has the skills and knowledge of the game to stand out for reasons other than his work ethic alone. But while form can fluctuate from game to game for even some of the game’s best players, effort is controllable.
“Some days maybe the touch just isn’t great,” Smith said. “Some days your passing isn’t as sharp as you want it to be. But you can still work hard – that’s where you take control.”
It’s been a great beginning for Smith at NCFC, but he’s not satisfied with where he’s at in his development. Becoming more of an offensive threat is a point of emphasis.
“I know I’m not going to score as many goals as Daniel Rios. I’m not going to get as many assists as Kyle Bekker,” Smith said, referencing two of NCFC and the USL’s best in those categories, respectively. “Do I still think I should average a few goals and assists per season? Yeah, I think I should start being a little more dangerous.”
He knows his continued improvement could factor heavily in what NCFC achieves this year. After two victories from a three-game homestand and five straight matches with a point, the team is a mere three points out of playoff position.
“We need to start making a run,” he said. “Just because I’m a rookie and this year is my first year playing pro, I still need to step up and have a good contribution to the team.”
This time a year ago Smith was longing for the chance to be a part of a team. Now he’s trying to do everything he can for the one he’s with.
‘But you can still work hard’
Ask Miller, Smith’s teammate, for a scouting report on the first-year pro, and he’ll reply with sarcasm.
“Graham Smith? Very average player, doesn’t work very hard, doesn’t like to train,” Miller said with a wry smile across his face before changing course and noting that Smith is “obviously the opposite of all that.”
In reality, Miller appreciates Smith for being the type of teammate who does “the dirty work that you don’t necessarily see on the stat sheet.”
“That’s something that I value as a player,” Miller said. “That’s something I founded my game [on], so I respect anybody who can put the work in day in and day out and always busts their butt.”
As a player, Smith doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as only a hard worker. He knows he has the skills and knowledge of the game to stand out for reasons other than his work ethic alone. But while form can fluctuate from game to game for even some of the game’s best players, effort is controllable.
“Some days maybe the touch just isn’t great,” Smith said. “Some days your passing isn’t as sharp as you want it to be. But you can still work hard – that’s where you take control.”
It’s been a great beginning for Smith at NCFC, but he’s not satisfied with where he’s at in his development. Becoming more of an offensive threat is a point of emphasis.
“I know I’m not going to score as many goals as Daniel Rios. I’m not going to get as many assists as Kyle Bekker,” Smith said, referencing two of NCFC and the USL’s best in those categories, respectively. “Do I still think I should average a few goals and assists per season? Yeah, I think I should start being a little more dangerous.”
He knows his continued improvement could factor heavily in what NCFC achieves this year. After two victories from a three-game homestand and five straight matches with a point, the team is a mere three points out of playoff position.
“We need to start making a run,” he said. “Just because I’m a rookie and this year is my first year playing pro, I still need to step up and have a good contribution to the team.”
This time a year ago Smith was longing for the chance to be a part of a team. Now he’s trying to do everything he can for the one he’s with.
