When Eddie Gaven entered the league at 16 years old, he probably didn't anticipate that his first taste of MLS Cup would come against New York.
The Harrison, N.J. native lived at home -- his mother played sometime chauffeur -- and played for the then-Metrostars when he entered the league in 2003. At first, the arrangement worked out well. Twelve appearances in his first season set the stage for a Best XI season in 2004 after recording seven goals and seven assists.
That was as good as it got for Gaven in New York as the crushing weight of early success took its toll.
"It's tough when you're a young player like Eddie and you hit it so well early on," Columbus Crew head coach Sigi Schmid said. "Expectations grow exponentially. It's not difficult [to meet them]. It's impossible to fulfill those expectations."
After an indifferent 2005 campaign, Gaven was sent to Columbus prior to the 2006 season, dashing the hometown-boy-made-good story and giving the young winger a fresh start.
"It was great being able to play back home," Gaven said. "I had my friends and family back home. But this town here has been great also. It's been tough at times because the team hasn't performed as well as we think could have on the field. I'm just hoping to finish [this season] on a positive note."
Those positive notes were harder to find in his first two seasons with the Crew. There were highlights -- a spot on last summer's Copa America roster and pockets of good form -- but those expectations of taking the league by storm never materialized.
Instead of garnering praise, Gaven came in for criticism about his inconsistency. Questions were asked about Gaven's commitment. Some even asked if Gaven was washed up before he had hit the legal drinking age.
"I was trying to out and play my best every single game," Gaven said. "I try not to think too much about all that other stuff. I go out and play and let what is meant to happen, happen."
Most of those concerns have faded away this season as Gaven continues to grow. The meandering ways of the past couple of seasons have led to maturation. Gaven said he's learned how important it is to focus every time he's on the field.
"It's learning that you have to bring your 'A' game every single time you step out onto the field," Gaven said. "You can't bring your 'A' game and then just chill for the next game."
Sharpening the mental side of the game has led Gaven to improve other aspects. Schmid said Gaven "does a lot of things that don't show up on the scoreboard."
"He's much more aware of the game on both sides of the ball," Schmid said. "Positionally, he's much stronger than he was. He knows where to be on the field both offensively and defensively. All that comes with experience."
Defense wasn't a word commonly associated with Gaven during the early stages of his career, but Crew defender Frankie Hejduk said that hasn't been a problem this season as the duo has cultivated an understanding.
"He's become a complete two-way player," Hejduk said. "He defends well with me and we defend well together."
All the talk about Gaven's defensive and tactical improvements obscure the fact that he still likes to get forward. Playing on the opposite side of Best XI left winger Robbie Rogers, Gaven enjoys more space to roam and gives the team balance.
"He's such a danger to the other team that it's opened up more time and space for me because guys go over towards him because he has so much pace and he's so good on the ball," Gaven said. "It's opened up some more time for me and that's been great."
Opportunities will continue to appear for Gaven if he continues that sort of form. Maybe Gaven will reach those early expectations at his own pace.
"He's a player who is just growing," Hejduk said. "He's only 22. He's been in this league a long time and people don't know that. You're going to see a lot of him."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
