Penn State soccer player drafted to the MLS.
On a cold, brisk October night at Jeffrey Field, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions soccer team, senior midfielder Andrew Privett takes it all in one last time. He is about to play the final home game of his collegiate career.
Unsure of what the future will hold for him, Privett takes his first touch, and all his worries are wiped away as it once again is just him and the ball as it’s been so often in his life.
Fast forward four months and Andrew is achieving his lifelong dream of playing soccer at the professional level. He signed his first professional contract with Charlotte FC of the MLS on February 24th, 2023 after he was drafted in the MLS SuperDraft in December.
Privett’s love for soccer stemmed from an early age.
Growing up in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, all he ever wanted to do was kick, dribble, and shoot. Standing out against all competition at every level of soccer he has ever played at, his high school career was no different.
A four-year starter for an east coast soccer powerhouse, the McDonogh Eagles, he was an influential part of winning three championships in his four years. Known for his precision and finesse, Andrew finished his high school career with 32 goals and 27 assists while being a deadly marksman on free kicks and corner kicks. Continuously scouted by several Division 1 schools, Privett decided on Penn State.
Playing Big Ten soccer would push Andrew to improve his skill set, and that is just what it did.
The coaching staff and competition elevated his talent to levels he could only dream of. Andrew speaks highly of the mentors that paved the way for him, including assistant coach, Greg Dably.
“I owe Dably a lot of credit for my development throughout college to reach the professional level. He’s not only helped me develop on the field as a player but has helped me grow as a leader and person, said Privett about Coach Dably.
A true captain and man of character, he will only continue to grow as a player and a person with Charlotte FC.
Collegiate soccer players are awarded points for the goals and assists they contribute throughout a season. Individual points are awarded to players for their season stats. Goals are worth two points and assists are worth one point. Privett broke out at the collegiate level in his junior season, leading the Nittany Lions in team points, goals, and assists with 22, 9, and four, respectively.
He earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors and garnered third-team All-North Region accolades from United Soccer Coaches for the first time in his career. He played an influential role in the Nittany Lions winning both the Big Ten Conference and the Big Ten Tournament in 2021.
Over his four years with the Penn State program, Privett only missed one match, totaling 68 appearances with 44 starts.
Looking back, Andrew said, “Never did I believe I was able to play professional soccer. It goes to show you that if you follow your dream, and with a lot of hard work, you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Andrew’s high school coach Brandon Quaranta holds him in very high praise, and knows he has a lot more to accomplish as “Andrew is the type of player who coaches love to coach. He is a leader on and off the field while commanding the game from the midfield. He is always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win whether that be dropping back and defending, attacking and scoring goals, or picking out the right pass.”
Privett is what you want in a player and the Charlotte FC fanbase, community, and team have a lot of excitement to look forward to when he shows the MLS what he’s got to prove.
As Andrew embarks on a new journey to North Carolina, he is excited about what the future holds.
“I am going to go out there and do my best to earn my spot on the team. Every training session is an opportunity to build chemistry with the lads and I feel confident about my future here,” he stated.
The confident youngster from Baltimore, Maryland is making his friends, fans, and family proud as he continues to improve as a player and a person. Who knows what is next for this talented midfielder as he has excelled in every level of soccer he’s ever played in.
I can tell you one thing, though. Do not doubt Andrew Privett, because he will pounce on every opportunity to go above and beyond to become the best man he can be.