Everton product Shannon overcomes tragedy to earn MLS opportunity

Selected by Atlanta United in the second round, the English midfielder honored his mother with an emotional speech at last week's MLS SuperDraft

PHILADELPHIA — The first round of the SuperDraft is an exercise in anticipation. Coaches work the room. Supporters sing and chant. The words "on the clock" ramp up the tension, building toward a life-changing moment for one player on hand.

By the time the second round rolls around, that charged atmosphere gives way to a dull hum. The commissioner passes on the duty of announcing the picks to his deputies, and the selected players' speeches largely fade to the background.

But when chose Oliver Shannon with the 36th pick Friday, the English midfielder cut through the noise.

An academy product, Shannon was two weeks into his freshman year at Clemson when his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He wanted to head straight back home. She refused to let that happen. So as she began treatment, he stayed stateside to pursue his dream.

Shannon's mother passed away two years ago. But as he delivered a heartfelt speech at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it became clear she hasn't left him.

"I think she was definitely watching over me," Shannon told Goal, "and making sure that my name was called."

Like most Europeans who play college soccer, Shannon never imagined a trajectory that would take him half a world away. Over 13 years in 's academy, the native focused on one day donning blue at Goodison Park.

When Shannon was 18, Everton told him a professional contract with the club wasn't in the cards. While there were offers to go on trial with other clubs in the Premier League and Championship, officials at Everton suggested the American college route.

Having visited Clemson and Connecticut, Shannon committed to the Tigers. Over four years, the central midfielder compiled 13 goals and 17 assists in 82 matches — earning All-ACC First Team honors his senior year. Although it took some time for Shannon to adjust to the college game's quirks, from a congested schedule to the liberal substitution rules, he has emerged as a more mature prospect.

"I definitely feel my game's improved hugely," Shannon said. "In college you're playing to win games. If coaches lose they get fired, it's still important. So I've learned a lot, and I feel my confidence is really raised. I've been a leader in the team, so people have relied on me to put in performances week in, week out.

"With all of the substitutions — and Americans are just generally better athletes than English people — it was really intense games. There's guys coming on in the 70th minute that are fresh and you've got to try to match their intensity. That was hard."

Atlanta found success last year drafting then-23-year-old German midfielder Julian Gressel, who went on to be named the MLS Rookie of the Year. While the club's front office is tempering expectations for Shannon, there's hope the 22-year-old is similarly ready to contribute off the bat.

For an Atlanta midfield filled with diminutive playmakers — Miguel Almiron, Hector Villalba, Ezequiel Barco and Darlington Nagbe are all 5-foot-9 or shorter — a rangy, 6-foot-tall midfielder such as Shannon gives coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino a more physically imposing option.

"He's a big boy in the center of the park," Atlanta technical director Carlos Bocanegra said. "He does well when the play is in front of him, he has a good range of passing, but he's got a great engine. He can play as an 8 and go box to box, or he can kind of clean up in front [of the back line].

"Our squad, we're quite deep, but we don't have too many players of his physical stature. ... He's not such a young guy, and he looks physically ready for the game right now."

With preseason underway, Shannon is looking to continue on the path his mother envisioned and secure the professional contract that eluded him at Everton. Although he never suited up for the Toffees' first team, Shannon's boyhood club has remained a positive influence on his life — through good times and bad.

"They've been great for me," Shannon said. "All of the coaches came to my mom's funeral, and they offer for me to go in and train and use the gym.

"But it's great just having that behind me, and that experience can only be a good thing. I know what a professional environment is like, I know what it takes to succeed, and I also know that there's failure because I wanted to play there and I didn't achieve that. I know what more I need to give for this next opportunity so I can make it here."