After FC Dallas took Anthony Wallace with their first-round pick in January's MLS SuperDraft, one of the first questions Steve Morrow faced was whether the one-time University of South Florida and U.S. youth international would see time with the first team as a rookie.
Morrow's predecessor as FCD head coach, Colin Clarke, was hesitant to play rookies for the most part during his tenure in charge of the Hoops. After Wallace was taken with the ninth overall selection, Morrow said he had no hard and fast rule about them playing or not, adding that if they earned a spot, they would play.
About Wallace, Morrow said he expects the 18-year-old to make a solid contribution this year. With the start of the 2007 season just a few weeks, that's a prediction that Morrow hasn't backed off from in the least.
"He's impressed me immensely (so far in the preseason)," Morrow said. "He's everything I expected from watching him with the U-17 national team. He's got great qualities on the field. He has great athleticism, can get around the field and plays with a lot of maturity.
"When we drafted him, I said to people that I felt he was one of those kids who could come in, slide in right away and not look out of place," Morrow added. "People were surprised when I said that but I still feel the same way about him. We're delighted with his progress and have high hopes for him this year."
Initially, Morrow saw Wallace possibly playing in the back as well as in the center of midfield. But after seeing him perform in training sessions and several preseason games over the past month, he now has a specific position in mind for his young talent.
"I see him playing in one of those three central midfield spots," Morrow said. "With the way we're trying to play and the style we're using, he's definitely one of those midfield players we could use in the middle. He can get up and down the field, has good athleticism, is a good passer, is good in the air and is physically strong enough to cope, as well. He has all the physical qualities to play that position."
For his part, Wallace feels his transition to professional soccer has gone well.
"The transition hasn't been hard at all," he said. "[Dallas] is a familiar city to me. My parents were just here over the weekend and helped me move in. I have my own place now. It's been fun being here so far. I think it (playing for the U.S. youth national programs) helped my transition a lot. There is still room for improvement but it has made coming to MLS pretty easy."
One part of the FCD experience that Wallace especially enjoys is playing for a coach like Morrow, who himself was a player not that long ago.
"It's been great because he has an understanding of both playing and coaching," Wallace said. "He understands us as players and it's easier playing for somebody like that who understands what it's like to be a player and have that experience."
Wallace admits that he didn't come to FCD expecting to be in the starting 11 right off the bat, but he also didn't come to the Hoops looking to ride the pine for his entire rookie season.
"He (Morrow) told me (when I was drafted) that I would have a chance as much as anyone else," Wallace said. "He told me that if I earned a spot, then I would play. I can't predict the future but hard work will pay off. I don't see myself jumping into it (the starting 11) right away. But I didn't come here to sit on the bench either."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
