In December, Orlando City signed U.S. international Brek Shea. Previously a left sided midfielder, Shea’s return from England included a move to left back at both the Club and international level. It’s a new experience for the 24-year-old Texan who had little prior playing time on the back line.
Shea’s first run at the position came during U.S. national team camp in January. “We ended up playing a 3-5-2 so I was a wing back on the left side. We changed formation the last 30 minutes of that game and they had me play left back,” he explained. A few weeks later when Shea joined his new club, head coach Adrian Heath kept the now defender at the position.
In Heath’s attacking system, which sees the wing backs pushing forward, the former midfielder felt at home. “I’ve enjoyed it,” said Shea. “I like going forward
so when I can do that, it’s exciting for me.
” However, Shea still understands his defensive responsibilities, “I have to defend first and that’s my main priority.”
Much has been made on Shea’s transition and his success at the position. Having played in the new position exclusively for a few months, Shea says, “I’m very comfortable, and as an attacker, I’m very comfortable. Obviously there are still certain learning situations – it is just going to come with games and experience.”
While Shea has garnered praise from fans and media, he’s recently received glowing reviews from both his Club and national team coaches. Heath’s been pleased with Shea’s progress since he began playing on the back line. “I think he has progressed,” the Gaffer recently said. “We’ve got a lot of work done. It is a work in progress but when I look at the attributes Brek has, there’s no reason why he can’t play left back.”
Shea received similar remarks from U.S. national team head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who spoke about the defender during a Q&A on U.S. Soccer’s website. “Brek Shea has the potential to become a very, very strong left back,” stated Klinsmann. “He’s obviously a guy that always wants to go forward. He can score goals. He can create goals.” But, like both Shea and Heath have said previously, his continued work on the defensive side will indicate whether he reaches that next level. “If he learns the defending side of the game, being very physical, very focused, being connected to his center back and holding a line, getting all the tactical elements for what it takes to be a good defender, it adds that card to his portfolio,” added the head coach.
Klinsmann also stated that, while Shea is a work in progress at the position, it is a process that both he and Heath are committed to, “We started that process in the January camp and Orlando took it over. We stay in touch with each other and it can only get better.”
Brek Shea Scores For the United States vs Chile
As for how Shea feels about the praise, he just wants to be on the field. “I want to go on the national team and I’ll play wherever he wants me to play. Obviously Coach Heath has me playing at left back now and if he asks me to play somewhere else, I’ll play there, but as of right now I’m asked to play left back so I’ll play there.”
The transition from midfield to left back has seemingly been a smooth one for Shea. As each game passes, he seems more comfortable at his new position. With his commitment to excellence, as well as the confidence from his Club and national team coaches, the future looks bright for one of Orlando City’s young stars.
