Ray Gaddis was waiting for this moment.
"It can happen at any time," he said.
And it did on Saturday. After sitting out the first six games of the season, the long-time Union full back made his 2016 debut to start the second half against New York City FC at Talen Energy Stadium.
Gaddis was ready.
"Being a professional, you have to stay ready so you don't have to get ready," he said. "That's something my dad has always told me. When your number's called you have to step up and play. It's a long season and we're all in it together, as a team."
The window opened for Gaddis when steady Union left back, Fabinho, earned his fifth yellow card of the season, after going shoulder-to-shoulder with Khiry Shelton in the 36th minute.
Five yellows means Fabinho sees a yellow-card accumulation suspension, keeping him out of the Union's match on Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes.
"It's hard," said Fabinho, who, if he earned a second yellow on Saturday, would have been suspended for two games. "In my opinion, I think the referees have been a little bit crazy this year. There's a lot of red cards, a lot of yellow cards. I think I have to do the foul because I'm a defender. This is the part of soccer. Ray is going to do a good job on the left."
Gaddis has been training at right back since early 2015, when he took the job from Sheanon Williams. Prior to that, he played a defensive style of left back, making his current transition from right to left a natural one.
"For me, it's no different," Gaddis said. "It's on the opposite side of the field. My first three years here I played on the left side. The only difference is you're on the left side of the field, you still have to keep the ball out of the net."
Regardless of whether Gaddis is comfortable in his old position, he'll need to adapt quickly. If his number is called, as expected, on Saturday against the Earthquakes, he'll be up against playmaker Quincy Amarikwa and top-flight scorer, Chris Wondolowski.
"I'm excited about the win but I'm already looking how we can shut down Quincy and how we can shut down Chris Wondolowski, a prolific scorer," Gaddis said. "I'm very excited. We're going to take this win in stride and look at some things for next week."
