Gallagher snapped up by Atlanta in MLS draft
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
WHILE there will be plenty in America casting an eye on Dundalk in the coming months following the club’s takeover last week, there will be a few local eyes looking back across the Atlantic too.
That’s because Blackrock man Jon Gallagher has been snapped up by MLS side Atlanta United.
The 21-year-old striker was the 14th pick in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia on Friday with the Georgia-based side swooping to bring him to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where he will play alongside the likes of former Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Irish man Chris McCann – formerly of Burnley and Wigan – and a number of internationally capped players.
New team-mate Julian Gressel was on hand to greet Jon following his selection and told him ‘it’s a great club.’
While less known than some other MLS sides, Atlanta finished fourth last season in the Eastern Conference, level on points with third placed Chicago, two points off the Patrick Vieira-managed New York City FC and 14 points off eventual MLS Cup champions Toronto FC. That was good enough for a play-off spot but they lost their first match 3-1 on penalties to Columbus Crew.
Gallagher, who started out on his football journey with Rock Celtic, admitted he has never been to Atlanta – a city which staged in the 1996 Olympic Games – but said it was a ‘dream come true’ to have a professional contract.
‘It’s amazing and a dream that I’ve been chasing for so long,’ he said.
‘To be with such an amazing club is an incredible feeling. The brand of soccer we play is so exciting and I just can’t wait to start.
‘I’ve never been to Atlanta but it will be a new experience and I’m excited for it.
‘I’m super excited about being able to play for Atlanta and them taking a chance on me. It’s an honour and a dream come true.
‘I’m excited to see what the next year holds for us,’ said Gallagher.
Jon’s parents Paul and Denise still reside in Hamilton Drive in Blackrock, brother Stephen is in UCD and young siblings Mark and Sophia are both in Dundalk Grammar School.
Gallagher earned his move on the back of some impressive performances for Notre Dame in recent years, where he graduated with a business degree before Christmas.
He scored 39 goals in 84 games since joining in 2014. That record is even better when his debut season, which saw him limited to just substitute appearances, is omitted. It reads 36 goals in 63 starts. When you add in 15 assists and the fact that just one of his goals was a penalty you can understand why he was in such big demand.
Not many from the area would have heard about Jon before he was featured in The Argus at the start of the year but hopefully a big career lies ahead for him.
The FAI have already been in touch with him about a possible call-up to the Republic of Ireland U-21 squad and if he can hit the ground running with Atlanta he could soon be in Martin O’Neill’s thoughts as well.