Michael Gamble

PLAYER PROFILE: MICHAEL GAMBLE

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: FWD
Primary Role: Second Striker
Height: 5’7
Weight: 150
DOB: 01-05-1994
Nationality: United States
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: New England Revolution (MLS)

Part of the United States U-20 National Team Player Pool.

Drafted 30th overall by New England Revolution in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

2008-2009 – Baltimore Bays U16 (USSDA) – 4 games
2009-2010 – Baltimore Bays U16 (USSDA) – 35 games, 35 starts, 24 goals, 5 yellows
2010-2011 – Baltimore Bays U16 (USSDA) – 15 games, 11 starts, 11 goals, 2 yellows
2011-2012 – Baltimore Bays U18 (USSDA) – 28 games, 23 starts, 13 goals, 2 yellows
2012 – Wake Forest (NCAA – D1) – 20 games, 19 starts, 8 goals, 4 assists, 15 shots on target, 1 yellow
2013 – Wake Forest (NCAA – D1) – 11 games, 7 starts, 4 goals, 4 assists, 16 shots on target, 1 yellow
2014 – Wake Forest (NCAA – D1) – 15 games, 14 starts, 6 goals, 9 assists, 33 shots on target, 3 yellows
2015 – Wake Forest (NCAA – D1) – 15 games, 10 starts, 6 goals, 2 assists

Despite his small stature, Gamble has been on the American soccer radar for a number of years. When signed by Wake Forest, Head Coach Jay Vidovich said of the talented prospect “Gamble, arguably the most highly-regarded forward prospect in the country, is a two-time NSCAA All-American and is rated the no. 1 prospect overall in the 2012 class by College Soccer News. He brings valuable U.S. National Team experience and a demonstrated knack for finding the goal with him to Wake Forest.”

Gamble played four season with USSDA club Baltimore Bays, where he played three seasons with the U16 team. During that period, he played 54 games and scored 35 goals. He then moved up to the U18 squad, scoring 13 goals in 28 games. He was also a standout in high school, finishing his senior season for Baltimore’s McDonogh High School with 35 goals. He was a U.S. Development Academy All-Star and named the Maryland Player of the Year by the NSCAA.

In three years at Wake Forest, Gamble played 46 games (starting 40 of them), scoring 18 goals and contributing with 17 assists while also had 64 shots on target. He was named to the 2012 All-ACC Freshman Team and despite playing only 15 of Wake Forest 19 games he was also first team All-ACC scoring 6 goals and 9 primary assists.

The biggest issue regarding Gamble is his lack of size and injury history. Gamble is 5’7″, but shows strength well on the ball. His size also works to his advantage at times, allowing him to weave in and out of defenders both with and without the ball. He has very good speed with quick acceleration and could play on the wing or as a second striker. If he going to play has a striker, he needs to be more lethal in front of goal while as a winger more would be expected from him in terms of defending.

Gamble was drafted 30th overall by New England Revolution in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

+ USSDA All-Star and State player of the year
+ Potential double digit goal scorer and provider per season
+ Part of US National Team U20 Player Pool
+ Played four years at Wake Forest (NCAA D-1)
+ Drafted 30th overall by New England Revolution (MLS) in 2016 MLS SuperDraft