NYRB II midfielder Barry Sharifi was selected with the 67th overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. He signed his first professional contract on March 5, 2020.
Before making his first appearance, the USL Championship season was suspended. Sharifi has been eager to get back out on the pitch, improving his game and just being able to play the game.
“Of course, for a long period of time during quarantine we were training individually, and doing individual workouts,” said Sharifi. “Now with training and seeing the guys and staff, it is a great feeling. Just having that ability to pass and share the ball with teammates feels very good right now.”
The Jericho, New York native enjoyed a great preseason and was excited for his first professional season. “Being a rookie all you want to do is play but seeing that actual return date gives a lot of motivation not only to me, but the whole team,” Sharifi said.
With an official return to play date, Sharifi is excited to get back to competitive matches with his teammates and start his rookie campaign.
“All I want to do is play, but I have always had that love for the game which has given me hunger to get where I’m at,” Sharifi said. “Now that there is some sort of schedule for training and having the ability do extra to improve myself, I’m using it as much as possible in order to be ready for when I’m called upon.”
