Steven DeLeo used to play for the Boston Bolts and FC Blazers. (Courtesy: Colgate Athletics)
Before arriving at Colgate, Steven DeLeo had never truly sat on the bench. Much to his chagrin, that was the situation he found himself in during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
But the Concord, Mass., native also understood why more experienced players like Ethan Kutler and Jared Stroud received the lion’s share of minutes. Both are now part of New York Red Bulls II in the USL, America’s second tier of professional soccer.
“It was really tough not playing and not contributing,” the forward, now a senior, said. “I was a part of the success, but not really. I knew that I’d get my shot eventually and make the most of it.“
During that waiting period, Raiders’ head coach Erik Ronning considered DeLeo a “developmental player."
