FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – You can’t sign an MLS contract at 17 years old without gaining a bit of courage along the way. For Damario McIntosh, who signed a first-team deal with the New England Revolution last year, that courage has been tested at every step of his journey.
It all started when McIntosh was just eight years old. Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, he spent his childhood on the island with his mother. His father had moved to California, and eventually eight-year-old McIntosh boarded a plane to join him in a place that could offer him more opportunity.
“That was rough, leaving the woman who brought me into this world, who I lived with up until I was eight, and coming to the States, which I knew nothing about. It was difficult, but having my dad here made me feel supported and then stepmom, my brothers, all helped me learn new things in the States. They helped me try new foods and fix my English. It was rough at first, but I definitely grew as time went on,” McIntosh explained.
McIntosh found his place in soccer, training under his dad, a former professional goalkeeper. He built a life in California, which led him to USL Championship side Oakland Roots SC at just 15 years old. Competing alongside older, bigger, professional athletes, he realized he was ready for the next step in his development.
McIntosh hired an agent, put together a highlight reel, and waited. Then the New England Revolution came calling, and McIntosh made yet another big move away from his family.
“I came out here on a trial. I was out here for around a week, and I loved it. From the minute I stepped foot in here, everybody was so supportive. All the guys in the locker room that I met made me feel welcome and comfortable,” he said. “From there, I moved over to New England all the way from California, which was also a tough transition.”
McIntosh joined the Revolution’s Residency Program, moving in with a host family and several other players. As a self-proclaimed “quiet kid,” it took time for him to open up, but having a supportive host family and teammates going through the same experience made the adjustment easier.
“I had a wonderful host family and the other kids in the house were going through the same thing that I was going through, which helped motivate me and let me know that everything was going to be okay,” McIntosh reflected. “I knew what they were going through and they knew what I was going through, so, we all came together to push each other. Off the field, we made sure we were always there for each other and just having that relationship brought us a long way.”
Less than a year after joining the Revolution Academy, McIntosh signed his first professional contract with Revolution II, then earned a first-team deal just six months later.
Now 18, McIntosh has already learned to balance quite a bit throughout his young career. He achieved his dream of signing an MLS contract at 17, but he knows there’s still plenty of work ahead as he pushes for first-team minutes. At the same time, he’s learning the importance of enjoying his teenage years away from the pitch.
“You just have to flip a switch, really. When you're on the field, you get serious, do what you love to do. It's what I was born to do. Then, when you're off the field and away from soccer, that's when you can have your fun and be a kid, a teenager,” he said.
While McIntosh has yet to make his MLS debut, he has competed with the first team in recent U.S. Open Cup competition. He continues to develop with Revolution II and says having first-team players to look up to, and working under head coach Marko Mitrović, has given him confidence to keep pushing.
“Having guys that know what the young players are going through, they've been there, done that. They just fill me with knowledge and let me know, ‘Keep going, keep working. Your chance will come. Just stay patient and just grind.’ Then with Marko, it’s the same thing. You can tell he just loves the game. He's brought it since day one, and he's just changed the whole entire environment. He's made the young players feel safe.”
As he reflects on the path he’s taken and all that still lies ahead, McIntosh knows that every risk has been worth it. Breaking through for first-team minutes isn’t easy, but like every leap he’s taken before, he believes the hard work will pay off.
In the meantime, McIntosh’s bravery has also brought vulnerability, inspiring him to find his voice and reminding him to lean on the people around him.
