Eight goals. Eight assists. A first All-Star selection. First MLS Best XI honor. For Kansas City Wizards left back Jose Burciaga Jr., 2006 was a career year.
After a year like that, a likely reward would be a call into the U.S. national team. But no call came from interim U.S. national team manager Bob Bradley -- influenced, possibly, by meniscus surgery Burciaga underwent in the offseason. Still, the one-time U.S. youth international has come into the 2007 season more motivated than ever.
"I've been there at that level as far as youth goes. It's frustrating to see teammates that I used to play with getting call-ups. I'm anxious to get my opportunity. I just thought with me having the season I just had, I thought at least I would have had an opportunity," Burciaga said.
"Growing up, playing for your country is something that is everybody's dream. As professionals, one of our main goals is to be on the national team to play at the highest level. I just keep working hard, and, hopefully, they will give me a chance. Over the past three years, I've done very well, and I think with me just working every day and being consistent, I think that will help me out."
Although the lightning-bolt drives on goal and pinpoint crosses from set pieces that emanate from his thunderous left boot are well known, it's the sometime lapses on the defensive end that can cause coaches to yearn for improvement. Despite the fact that he believes he has handled the Steve Ralstons and Ronnie O'Briens of MLS very well, the Duncanville, Texas, native is well aware of the need for improvement.
"This year, I'm going to focus more on defending. (I'm) not saying that I'm not going to attack, it's one of my strongest suits. I'm going to get forward when I can, but if I can work on being one of the dominant defenders, to improve on that even more where they don't break us down on the left side," said Burciaga. "I do take a lot of pride in defending. It does get to me when someone gets behind me. I don't want anything coming down my side."
To that end, Burciaga and Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo have had many discussions this preseason.
"[He asked] me to realize when I need to defend and when I need to attack. When we are winning, I need to concentrate on defending more. He made a good point. At times, I would do it, but at times I need to realize it a bit sooner," Burciaga said.
"We know Jose's biggest strength is how he helps us build out of the back. He's a very good passer of the ball and is excellent on set pieces," said Onalfo. "We want to be a team able to win tight games. In order to be a championship caliber team, you need to be able to win games 1-0 and 2-1. Jose has to also focus on his defensive positioning and his one-on-one defending, and that has been a focus of ours during preseason. We feel he's going to do fine there."
Having been an assistant under former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena, Onalfo has insight into what his prized left back needs to do to become an international quality back.
"He needs to take care of the defensive responsibilities in his part of the field on a consistent basis. He needs to continue to work on his fitness. There is a much different level of fitness needed for MLS compared to international soccer," Onalfo said.
Burciaga will need the first couple of matches of the season to recoup his fitness due to the meniscus injury. But for the seven-year MLS veteran, his dreams could well include something beyond just wearing the Red, White and Blue, when his current contract is up in a couple of years.
"Everybody would love to go to Europe. If there was ever a possibility, I don't think I would turn it down, whether it be there or somewhere in Argentina or Mexico. There is a very strong possibility at some point in my career that I would seriously be thinking about doing that," Burciaga said.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
