The Revolution, however, began training last month, and preparations are continuing in Florida for the March 29 opener against defending champions DC United.
"That is my biggest dilemma," Rongen said. "I cannot keep a spot on the 20-man roster open for his if I feel he's not ready to step in and contribute. But we realized when we drafted him that he was going to finish school and we're willing to wait."
McLaughlin will join the team for a preseason trip to Mexico over spring break, which will afford him his best opportunity to make a positive impression on Rongen. Unfortunately, he will have to do it in exhibition matches against Mexican First Division powers Guadalajara Chivas and Atlas. Rongen's expectations are realistic, though.
"Anytime you draft a rookie, particularly in soccer where it is quite a jump from college to the professional level, you have to take a long-term view," he said. "We're willing to work with him."
One trait of McLaughlin's which may serve him well is his ability to play multiple positions. If he cannot break in at forward for the Revolution, McLaughlin is willing and able to help out in defense.
"When I came to Harvard for my first couple of years I played marking back and I worked my way up to forward," McLaughlin said.
Rongen views this as one of McLaughlin's great selling points.
"For spots numbers 18,19, and 20 on the roster you look for players who can play more than one position to give you depth," Rongen said. "Tommy was moved from defense to forward which shows what a talented and versatile player he is."
Another factor working in McLaughlin's favor is the fact that Rongen is building his Revolution squad with an eye to the future.
"I'm a coach that is willing to give young players a chance," Rongen said. "We're going through a major facelift now, trying to get more technical players. When we draft, we're going for the most talented players available."
The fact that the Revolution staff considers McLaughlin among the most gifted collegiate players in the country along with the patient approach it takes toward player development indicate that McLaughlin should get a long, hard look for a spot on the Revolution roster.
Still, if things do not work out right away, McLaughlin will not abandon his goal of playing in MLS. Although the prospect of a stint in the second division A-League is not nearly as appealing as a shot at the big time, McLaughlin recognizes that he might need a little seasoning before he can take on the likes of Carlos Valderrama and Marco Etcheverry in MLS.
"If the Revolution told me that since I'm graduating so late it would be hard to jump on a team right away, I would be willing to play A-League for a year to get the chance to play in MLS," he said.
Interest in McLaughlin's services among other teams is by no means lacking. The Connecticut Wolves, an A-League outfit, made him one of their college picks in the annual A-League draft. The indoor professional team Philadelphia Kixx also selected McLaughlin in the National Professional Soccer League draft earlier this year. But McLaughlin is focused on making a name for himself in the three-year old MLS.
"I was never considering playing indoor and overseas didn't appeal to me, but with the new league coming [in 1996], I really wanted to play and that is something I look forward to doing," he said.
Should he succeed, McLaughlin would join several fellow alumni of Pennsylvania club team FC Delco, including the Metrostars' Brian Kelly and DC United's Ben Olsen. And he wouldn't be surprised if one more former FC Delco player lined up against him someday.
"[Kohler] is getting the fever again," said McLaughlin. "He's still in touch with Metrostars and he's given thought to coming back. I wouldn't be surprised to see Will in the league in another year or so."
Anyone who has seen McLaughlin blow by the opposition and fire home a crucial goal for the Crimson would not be surprised to see him there either, for a long time to come.