It took more than one year for Bobby Burling to crack the Chivas USA starting lineup as the budding central defender toiled as an unused reserve since joining the club in April 2007.
Now that he has played consecutive 90-minute matches for the Red-and-White, it's only fitting he goes home to commemorate his major step forward.
When Chivas USA plays Colorado on Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Burling will have a chance to play before loved ones some 40 miles from where he spent most of his teenage years.
"I'm really excited to say the least," Burling said. "I should have lots of families and friends there."
With injuries ravaging Chivas USA, Burling has finally received his opportunity to play. He made his MLS debut in a 2-1 loss to New England on May 11 and went the distance against D.C. United on Saturday.
Though he said he had some "natural first-game jitters" against the Revolution, playing against D.C. United was a much calmer situation for him.
"The second game was a lot better. We got a win too which was real nice," Burling said. "I definitely feel a little more comfortable now and looking forward to getting on the road."
Claudio Suarez and Shavar Thomas have each been hampered by hamstring injuries while fullbacks Jonathan Bornstein and Lawson Vaughn have also been sidelined with injuries until mid- to late June.
The absences have given Burling a chance to play. While the transition from playing in reserve games and simply training to playing with the first team in a regular-season match might have been difficult, for Burling the move went rather smoothly.
"A lot of these guys have been doing this a while and have helped me through most everything on the field," he said, "guys like Jesse (Marsch) and Ante (Razov), playing with Jim Curtin, Shavar, everyone is talking me through things and helping me out a little more. It helps a lot. It means so much more when it's in a game. It settles me down."
More importantly, Burling said he feels like an equal on and off the field because the atmosphere in the locker room allows for it.
"All the guys are real supportive. The locker room in this team is really tight," he said. "There are no cliques or anything. No one puts each other on a pedestal or anything so that makes it easier to when you step on the field with these guys."
While Burling's main task now is to focus on opposing forwards and man the club's backline, his job was quite a bit different in college. With Loyola Marymount University, Burling was a forward. But Chivas USA coaches moved him to defense upon inking him to a developmental contract in April 2007.
At 6-foot-5, Burling can be imposing figure on the defense. Finding his way on the backline has been aided by coaches and fellow defenders but also at home, with his older brother's tutelage.
Jimmy Burling has served as Bobby's mentor and confidant for years. The two played together on the same club teams and wound up playing for LMU together. The brothers live together now and Jimmy, who was a defender in his playing days, routinely gives Bobby pointers on marking and playing defense.
"We're pretty close and it's nice to share all those years playing with him," Bobby said.
Burling's ultimate personal goal is to land a senior roster spot and continue moving his career forward. The only way to do that is seemingly to play impress in regular season games, and Burling at least now has the opportunity.
"It is a grind. I'll be the first to say that. You ask other guys on the team and they'll say it too. The goal is to make the roster at some point," he said. "This is my second year ... and it feels rewarding to be on the field."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
