Francis Okaroh during a New England Revolution game against the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl. (Stephen Dunn/Allsport)
Editor's note: With the 25th season of Major League Soccer upon us, this story is part of a New England Soccer Journal series with local players reflecting on the return of top-flight soccer to America.
During his time at Boston University in the mid-1980s, Francis Okaroh compiled a résumé that nowadays would likely make him a prized Generation adidas signing and MLS SuperDraft pick.
Okaroh was a three-time All-American and led the Terriers, then in their early days under legendary ex-head coach Neil Roberts (Braintree, Mass.), to back-to-back NCAA tournaments in 1985 and 1986. A defender, Okaroh also boasted Nigeria national team experience.
