Photographer Chris Aduama chronicles Steve Ralston's career with the Revolution

October 28, 11:39 AMBoston Pro Soccer ExaminerL.E. Eisenmenger

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Steve Ralston
Photo: Chris Aduama

Photographer Chris Aduama took pictures of the New England Revolution at their first game in the old Foxboro stadium.  Aduama has shot the team for media outlets ever since and closely watched Steve Ralston evolve as a player and leader. Aduama now shares his insights and images of Ralston with Boston Pro Soccer Examiner.

Aduama is a native of Ghana and came to this country when he was 22 to study photography at the Rhode Island School of Photography and now he photographs sports, corporate events, weddings, and portraits. He was a goalie in high school and is elated that Ghana won the U-20 World Cup. His 17 year-old son Jacob is also a goalie and captain of the varsity soccer team at Northfield Mount Hermon where  Aduama travels to watch him play Exeter, Hotchkiss, etc. His daughter Nicolette has children of her own now.

Aduama's work appears in Soccer America Magazine, CONCACAF, Patriots Weekly, Soccer New England Magazine, Boston Celtics Media Guides and websites, Tennis Magazine, London Entertainment, and many more.

Ralston was selected by the Revolution in the first round of the 2002 Tampa Bay allocation draft, rose to be captain, and in 2009 scored seven goals and seven assists before being sidelined with an ACL injury on September 26. He is the MLS leader in games played (378), games started (372), minutes (33,143) assists (135) and game winning-assists (41). Ralston is a seven-time MLS All-Star and three-time Best XI selection, started in each of the Revolution's four MLS Cup appearances, and last year won the team MVP award and scored a career-high eight goals.

"[Ralston's] never been the poster boy," said Aduama, "but he's been one of the most solid players since Day One that he's been here. When he's on the field he has the mature and calm effect on every player. He never loses his temper, I've never heard him swear like other players swear on the field, but he'll get his point across."

"He understands the fundamentals of the game," said Aduama, "he plays a solid game and gets the work done. He doesn't have the fancy footwork like Clint Dempsey, but when he's back he stops the balls and over the years they've been putting him in different positions and he's always up for the challenge. He'd be a good assistant coach, that would be great, but I'd be sad to see him go."

Thirty-five year-old Ralston is currently awaiting surgery but anticipates another season with the Revolution.

"Easy," said Taylor Twellman. "This guy’s playing till he’s forty."

Read exclusive interviews about Steve Ralston's development as a player here on American Soccer News and his advice to young captains here.

See other work and contact photographer Chris Aduama at aduama.com.

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