Midfielder Convey grows on D.C. United

By José Alfredo Flores, USA TODAY

D.C. United midfielder Bobby Convey is technically a boy in the real world, but he is acting like a man in the soccer world.

The 17-year-old's performance Wednesday against the Eastern Division-leading New York/New Jersey MetroStars showed why United is so high on him. Convey created three scoring chances and assisted on United's second goal in the 3-2 upset win.

"He's getting to the point where he can become one of the best in the league," United coach Thomas Rongen says.

What Convey needs is to find the finishing touch before reaching the level of MLS' elite. Through 16 games, 12 starts, 25 shots and numerous scoring chances, Convey has yet to score. "It's just a case where he needs to get his first one," says United President and general manager Kevin Payne, who allows Convey to live in his Reston, Va., home.

"I feel it coming up," Convey says. "And when it does, I think I can make some things happen for this team."

But Convey was not expected to make significant contributions so young.

Selected 12th in the MLS SuperDraft, United chose the U.S. under-18 team captain for his potential. But with United (6-13-6) struggling to make the playoffs, Convey is making the most of his opportunity this year.

"Getting the chance to play now is doing wonders for my confidence," Convey says. "None of this would have been possible without MLS."

Convey is a product of MLS' Project 40, which fast-tracks young American players into pro soccer.

"What this league needs is more players like him," says United forward Jaime Moreno, a product of Bolivia's Tahuichi youth system. "He reminds me of Ben Olsen, who came in here with a positive attitude and helped us win a championship."

Olsen, United's first Project 40 allocation, was Rookie of the Year in 1998 and 1999 MLS Cup MVP.

Rongen, a product of the youth systems of legendary Dutch club Ajax, is a firm believer in what programs such as Project 40 can do.

"I come from an environment where 15- and 16-year-olds play for the senior club team after years at the youth levels," Rongen says. "Youth programs like these can only help out young American players and maybe bridge the gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world."

Outside of soccer, Convey is a still a teenager who enjoys nothing better than going to the mall or listening to R&B music. He is close friends with Payne's teenage daughters, Ashley, 18 and Rebecca, 15, and visits them and their friends at Herndon (Va.) High. Convey is taking GED classes and is home-schooled by Payne's wife, Pamela.

"Even though he has traveled the world through soccer, he's still a 17-year-old, just a little bit more mature," says his mother, Nancy. "When he came back home (to Philadelphia) last weekend, we made him do the laundry.

"We treat him no differently than any of his other siblings."

Says his sister Kelly, 21, a 1998 soccer All-American at Penn State: "Bobby always knew what he wanted. Now look where he is."