With Chris Gbandi, FC Dallas' normal starting left defender unavailable for last Saturday's game against D.C. United, Hoops head coach Colin Clarke had several choices about whom to insert into the lineup. Alex Yi was selected to make his first start of 2006 and second of his MLS career in the right center spot.
To make that happen, Clarke had to do some shuffling, moving normal center back Greg Vanney over to Gbandi's spot on the left. But that was a move that allowed Yi to pair with Drew Moor, who was making his second straight start of the year at left center back.
Moor liked what he saw from his teammate.
"He did well," Moor said of Yi. "He didn't do anything less or anything more than he's capable of. I think he had a great game. Hopefully he can get more minutes in there because I think he's got a lot more in him."
"He and I have been playing with each other a lot in training and in reserve games this year and last year," he said. "We feel very comfortable in there together. Hopefully we can split more time in there."
For Yi, getting the starting nod against United was special since he hails from Easton, Md., which is less than an hour from the nation's capital.
"We figured out the starting team on Thursday morning when we had come in," Yi said. "After practice, on my drive home, I was thinking, 'Wow, who do I have to call now and tell that I'm starting in D.C.?' I started with my mom.
"It was unbelievably exciting for them and for me as well. (It) was just a really good week for me. I think a 1-1 result at D.C. is one that we can be proud of. It was really exciting, especially to go back home."
Clarke also gave Yi kudos.
"Alex has done very well," he said. "He's someone who has benefited from going away and playing in the A-League last year for a few games with Atlanta.
"He's come back and worked very hard in the offseason. He came in looking sharp and strong in preseason. He deserved his chance. I think he's done well."
The week before, Yi had seen his first action of 2006, when he entered the game in the 73rd minute against Kansas City. Last year, he started against San Jose last September and played 66 minutes in his MLS debut while also playing in all 10 reserve division games.
After a solid two-year career at UCLA that saw him win a number of national awards, Yi spent two seasons playing professionally in Belgium.
With Gbandi likely returning to the starting 11 this week against Houston, Yi will probably start this week's game on the bench. But his solid performances in each of the last two weeks have shown that he has become a viable part of the defensive rotation.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
