With the trading of long-time mainstays Nick Garcia and Jose Burciaga Jr. in the offseason, the Kansas City Wizards backline will have a much different look this season. An integral part of that change will be exhibited in a 24-year-old who has paid his dues for two seasons, center back Tyson Wahl.
For the former All-American at the University of California, soccer continues to provide.
"I had high aspirations [playing soccer], but I took it as it came," said Wahl. "Soccer has given me a lot; it gave my college experience. At some point in college, I realized [becoming a professional] was a possibility. I was just lucky and fortunate and worked hard enough to get here."
After playing in 16 first-team matches the last two seasons, starting 10, Wahl can't wait to begin playing a more prominent role for his team when the Wizards play host to D.C. United Saturday night at CommunityAmerica ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas.
"I'm excited. Preseason always seems long when you're [on the outside looking in] But now that it's passed, it kind of flew by," he said.
Having team captain and World Cup and MLS veteran Jimmy Conrad as a backline mate certainly does much to quell any anxiety.
"[Jimmy] has a lot of confidence and a lot of experience. His confidence is bringing every aspect of his game up to that highest level. He's an easy player to be around," said Wahl.
"He has all the tools to be successful. With any young defender, the most important are experience and getting games, getting minutes, and seeing a lot of different situations and reacting accordingly," said Conrad. "He's done a good job this preseason. He absorbs a lot of information. He's very receptive to advice, and it's going to be very important in terms of our success as a team, just our communication together. It's gotten better each game."
Wahl played as a left back in a 3-5-2 formation as well as in tandem with Conrad as a center back in a 4-4-2 formation during the preseason. No matter where he lines up though, the 6-2, 185-lb. Wahl will present Conrad and the opposition with a different look than Garcia did when playing in those spots.
"There's going to be an adjustment. They are two very different players. Where Nick has some strengths, maybe that's not where Tyson's strengths lie," said Conrad. "He's a very good passer of the ball; that's going to be a big asset for us as we move out of the back."
But one might wonder if Wahl has the pace to deal with forwards the likes of the New York Red Bulls' Jozy Altidore, Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo, the Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan, and so forth. When asked, Wahl's pride kicked in.
"Yeah ... I'll be all right," he said assertively through a sheepish grin.
Fortune, hard work, ability and good leadership are still no guarantee that Wahl will remain a starter for Kansas City, especially with recent U.S under-23 national team camp participant Aaron Hohlbein on the roster.
So what will keep Wahl in the lineup? It's a simple answer as he sees it.
"A good year this year. Shutouts. Wins," he said. "It's just a good attitude and being surrounded by good players and good role models, and we have that here."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
