Ara Adjusts to Life in DC United Ranks

While most seniors have spent the past semester relaxing, balancing trips to the beach, senior bar and tan lines with the occasional class or two, the Harvard men’s soccer team’s senior midfielder Kevin Ara has never found himself busier.

After being drafted as the 24th overall pick in the third round by D.C. United in January, Ara has been both playing for the team in Washington and taking three classes in Cambridge in order to fulfill his requirements for graduation.

“D.C. United has been great about allowing working with me to finish up my graduation requirements,” said Ara, who finished the 2003 season second on the Crimson in goals (five), and points (14). “When he drafted me, [United] coach [Peter] Nowak knew that I went to Harvard, and that graduating was very important to me.”

Ara also noted that his TFs and professors were helpful and willing to work with him in order to allow him to be both a full-time student and a full-time professional athlete.

“It’s been a real challenge for him,” Harvard coach John Kerr said. “But he really has enjoyed himself and the challenge. He had a goal once he graduated to play professional soccer as long as he could, and he’s going to do exactly that.”

And with the end of the academic year, Ara has been better able to focus on his soccer career, and has made appearances in the past two games, due also in part to the recent rash of injuries plaguing D.C.

Ara made his debut on May 29 at Gillette Stadium—just a short drive from Cambridge—when his United squared off against the New England Revolution.

“I got about 40-45 tickets for my friends, so when I finally got in at the end, it was nice to see them all cheer,” Ara said.

More recently, Ara saw 14 minutes of game action against the Chicago Fire on June 5.

Ara is also only the second Harvard player to make an appearance in an MLS game. Tom McLaughlin ’98 played in one game for the Revolution several years ago.

“Obviously he’s not going to be a permanent fixture right away,” said captain and defender Andrew Old. “But maybe with certain injuries, he’ll be able to establish himself a bit more quickly.”

Ara has also found his role on United lean more towards his natural abilities than it did at Harvard. Now he has been able to take on the role of a defensive midfielder, unlike during his years at Harvard, when he was needed as an offensive presence.

“I’m better at getting to the ball, and tackling players,” Ara said.

Ara will certainly need to develop this role quickly, as D.C. sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-5-3 record, with only the Revolution (2-5-3) standing below it.

—Staff writer Evan R. Johnson can be reached at erjohns@fas.harvard.edu.