In preparing my pick for September’s Player of the Month, I was faced with a bit of a quandary. We had a good run of things for most of September then a strange collapse at the end, and as a result, it was rather hard to pick a player. I’ve bandied about my argument on our form, so I won’t bore you with that again, but it’s clear we weren’t playing our best soccer at any point in September — save, perhaps, for 30 minutes against New York.
My first option was Fabian Espindola. He’s worked very hard for us and fought for the colors, and its hard to dismiss that. He’s a real handful, and I think everyone recognizes that much. He’s also been on the end of some naughty behavior, and while I love the fire in him, it becomes a bit hard to give him full accolades when his temper goes flying — and his play goes a bit out the window with it.
My second option was Javier Morales, if only because he’s come back and he’s looked like the Javi we know and love, if a bit rusty and lacking in top-level form. But he only played 30 minutes for our side in September, and that snub to everyone else isn’t exactly the purpose of naming a Player of the Month.
My third option, and the one I’ve gone with, is Chris Schuler. He’s not a glamorous player, and he’s struggled at times, but this month, he’s come in anywhere he’s needed. He’s showed that he deserves a place in our side when we’ve got first-choice players out, and he’s shown he’s willing to drop into wide positions when needed. He surely hasn’t turned the world upside down with his full back play, but he’s been working tirelessly in an unfamiliar spot.
That said, he’s actually looked strong defensively, particularly if we’re to compare his play to what we saw from him just a few months ago. That, for me, has been a revelation, and one area where our depth has been not only useful but effective. In other spots, our depth hasn’t really meant much in practicable, on-the-pitch terms. It’s meant we dish out some good money for some people who don’t contribute — there’s that, I suppose.
Here’s the real thing: I think he’s a very big part of the four games we won in September. His defensive play has been effective if not dazzling, and while he doesn’t fit our passing game in a way that really makes me love him as a full back, he’s good on the ball, great in the air, and willing to fight. Some days, that’s exactly what you need — and when some of your marquee players are out, somebody’s got to put in that shift.
Comments