Podcast: Patrick Agyemang on his journey to becoming an MLS first-round draft pick

Rhode Island's Patrick Agyemang looks for space with the ball at his feet. (Drew Adames)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is University of Rhode Island senior forward Patrick Agyemang (East Hartford, Conn.).

The 6-foot-4 Agyemang was drafted by Charlotte FC with the 12th overall selection of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft on Dec. 21, making him the highest draft pick in URI program history.

One of the most dominant scorers in the Atlantic 10, Agyemang recorded 50 points (19 goals, 12 assists) for the Rams in just 37 matches. He was a 2022 First Team All-Conference selection, after leading URI in total points on seven goals and two assists. He started his career at Division 3 Eastern Connecticut State, after not receiving a single Division 1 or 2 offer coming out of high school.

Agyemang joined host Matt Langone to discuss the thrill of being a first-round draft pick and his journey to get there.

The full podcast can be accessed below and is available on all major platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review.

Here are some highlights from our discussion with Agyemang:

On the draft day experience with family and friends:

Agyemang: “It was filled with a lot of emotions, man. It was, like, anxiousness, hoping to get picked — just trying to enjoy the moment as well. It felt like a lot of things going on all at once, but it was a great night. When I did end up getting picked, it was just a sigh of relief and it was such a great moment, because all the people in that room just had so much to do with my success. It felt good having those people there to be able to celebrate me getting picked, and just seeing the reaction afterwards was lovely.”

On being selected in the first round and 12th overall:

Agyemang: “With the (MLS pre-draft) combine, I knew going into that if I do well, if I played well, I would have a good chance of impressing teams. When I was out there, I felt as if I did what I needed to do. I felt like I played really well. I showed who I was, I felt confident on the ball, I felt confident doing the little things. I think I did my thing and I think I did it well. Leading up, I didn’t know who I had interest from and stuff like that. I didn’t know the exact number of when I was going to get picked, but I did have a good feeling that the first round was a possibility.”

On being in Charlotte:

Agyemang: “In terms of the city, I don’t really know much, but that’s what I’m kind of eager about. I love learning new things. I love being around new people and stuff like that, so I’m happy about that. But I have communicated with people that are down there and I communicated with people that have been, and they all say the same good things about the spot. There are people I know that are down there, who are willing to help me around with anything I need. I’m just excited. I know I have support here and I have support down there as well.”

On receiving no Division 1 offers in high school and starting his career at a Division 3 program:

Agyemang: “It was tough. I had all those people on my side who had my back, they helped me. They kept telling me ‘just stick with it.’ I got discouraged a couple times, man. You have goals and you want to do these things when you get on the field. And then it’s, like, I’m not doing the things I feel like I can be doing. Always, in my head, I’m, like, ‘I feel like I could be great.’ I feel like I could be a good player, but I’m not showing it, I’m not proving it yet. It was a mental thing and obviously a physical thing, too. But as time went on, I started to click a little bit more. Every time I went up a level, I found myself going up a level. When I was at high school, I was at one. When I went to Eastern, I got to another level, and then when I got to Rhode Island, I went to even another level. It was all these little things just kept helping my development in all aspects, all areas.”

On how his game could translate to the professional level:

Agyemang: “I think the speed that I have and how comfortable I am on the ball. I am light on the ball on my feet. I think when you see me walk on the field, you wouldn’t think that right away. You’d be like, ‘what’s this hold-up guy gonna do today? All he’s gonna do is flick the ball forward.’ But when I start playing, it’s, like, ‘whoa, what’s going on?’ I get that, if a 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5 guy is going on the field, you’re not going to expect him to be the best on the ball. And you’re not going to expect them to even be the fastest, because usually if you’re tall, you’re a little slower. … I create chances, man. I feel like whenever I’m on the field, somehow some way, I’ll get at least one chance.”

The Goal” podcast is brought to you by the New England Revolution and Soccerheads New England.

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