TUCSON, Ariz. – At just 19 years old, Zachary Herivaux is already a grizzled veteran – at least when it comes to joining the New England Revolution for the annual Desert Diamond Cup.
Herivaux, who was the Revolution’s 2014 UnitedHealthcare Youth Player of the Year, is spending his February school vacation in Tucson for a second straight year, training with the first team and gaining valuable experience as he prepares to begin his freshman season at Providence College in the fall.
While he spent much of last year’s tournament battling nerves as he was first immersed in a professional environment, Herivaux has been able to focus more on his soccer the second time around.
“I’m not as nervous as I was last year,” said Herivaux, who played 25 minutes in the Revolution’s DDC opener against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. “I think I figured out the style of play; possession-type, one-touch, two-touch. I’m used to the guys now. All the nerves are going away, so it’s good.”
With that experience under his belt, Herivaux has been able to serve as a mentor to the other Academy player in camp, Justin Rennicks. At just 15 years old, Rennicks is by far the youngest player in Revolution camp, and he’s turned to Herivaux for advice as often as possible.
“I’m his roommate right now at the hotel and he’s talked me through what we do at practices and what to do every day,” said Rennicks, a forward with New England’s Under-16 team. “Just play your hardest.”
"I know how he feels because I was the same way last year,” Herivaux said of his young teammate. “I just try to tell him to play his game and have fun. The guys understand how old he is and everyone will look out for him, so just play his game.”
When it comes to performing on the field, both players have the chops, which is why they were chosen to join Revs camp in the first place and why they’re considered top prospects in New England’s Academy.
Herivaux, a central midfielder, is set to join a Providence Friars team which advanced all the way to College Cup last year and came moments away from an appearance in the National Championship. Rennicks recently made his international debut with the U.S. Under-16 National Team and wasted no time making an impression, scoring the game winner in a 2-0 victory over Romania.
It’s that ability and that potential which has head coach Jay Heaps excited about having the duo in camp. While it’s certainly an opportunity for Herivaux and Rennicks to develop their game in a professional environment, it’s also a chance for Heaps and his staff to keep tabs on the Academy’s rising stars.
“It’s exposure,” Heaps said. “We know these kids well, but we get another perspective when we look at them with our group. You also get to see the progression. Zach, from last year to this year, there’s certainly a progression. We’re hoping to do the same with Justin – see his progression over this year, next year and into the following season.”
