Former Iona College men’s soccer player Jordan Scarlett has begun his second year as a professional soccer player.

Scarlett was taken 61st overall in the 2017 Major League Soccer draft by the New York Red Bulls, a professional soccer team that plays out in Harrison, New Jersey.

Scarlett was a force in the lineup when he was a Gael, having played 69 career games. After being drafted by Red Bulls, Scarlett was sent to the club’s United Soccer League affiliate, the New York Red Bull II.

The USL is the second division of American soccer, and Scarlett was sent down in order get more time to play and improve his game instead of sitting on the bench. While Scarlett battled some injuries in his first season, he was impressive nonetheless, earning the starting job as the center back on the team.

Scarlett was a key piece on the Red Bulls II last season as he made 19 total appearances. He racked up 90 clearances, 11 blocks, and 50 interceptions. His passing rate was an impressive 86 percent.

The Red Bulls II ended up losing in the USL Eastern Conference Final in a penalty shootout to Louisville City FC, who eventually lifted the USL Trophy.

Scarlett has won the starting job again this season and expects to be an important factor on a team that appears to be favorites to win the USL.

Scarlett, like most USL players on a team affiliated with a MLS club, has a clause which allows him to be called up to the next level if the team is in need of players. He can also be called to the next level if the team is playing in a competition such as the US Open Cup–a single elimination contest in which all professional teams in the United States compete–as well as a few amateur clubs who qualify to play in the tournament.

While Scarlett is starting for the Red Bulls II, it would be most likely that he will not be called up if the two teams have games close in dates to each other.

However, if the team plays a friendly game against a European team or they have a deep run into the US Open Cup, there’s a chance that Scarlett can appear in one of those games.

While the Red Bulls have a very deep and well put- together team for the 2018 season, you should not rule out watching Scarlett playing in a MLS game this season.

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