Attitude is everything, even for the top overall pick in a college draft. For Kansas City Wizards midfielder Chance Myers, taken as the No. 1 selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, after his first week with his first professional club, his demeanor and work rate have already taken him higher.
"He's a talented kid. He listens, which is nice; works hard. And if you tell him to do something or try something, he's going to do it," said teammate Jack Jewsbury.
Indeed, Myers abilities and willingness to do what it takes have already earned him starts in the Wizards' two scrimmages in Bradenton, Fla. Against both the Columbus Crew and D.C. United, Myers has started at right midfield for the Wizards, who are transitioning from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation.
"Everything is going pretty well. It's a new formation for me, so I'm trying to learn as quick as I can and grasp all the information as it comes to me during the games, learning as I go," Myers said. "I'm progressing at a pretty good rate. I'm trying to get better every practice, every game, and in every situation."
The early days in a Wizards uniform have shown that Myers has put that attitude into practice.
"He's done very well," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo. "He has a great engine. He's an extremely good soccer player, has a very good first touch, and gets the ball to his feet quickly. He competes hard, and he's gotten better every single day."
Being a wide player has always suited Myers, who played as a right back in the U.S. U-23 national team camp he attended before joining the Wizards.
"Being that flank player that gets up and down [is my strength]. ... Connecting passes out of the back and doing those simple things is what I bring to the team," Myers said. "I have so much more to learn, more to progress that I hate putting [labels] on myself because I don't want to stop getting better."
That attitude is surely a big reason he was called into the U-23s for the second time as they prepare for Olympic qualifying in March. Being called in for the recent camp was a "good honor."
"I think I performed pretty well during that camp, so I'm waiting for the next call back for the qualifying camp," said the 6-foot-tall Myers. "The team is so deep; there are so many players that could make that team that it's unbelievable. There's so much talent nowadays. So wherever I fit into the mix is cool. Even if I don't make it, I hope we do so well. We trained really hard. There's tons of potential to this team."
Clearly, Onalfo thinks Myers has the potential to help bring the Wizards similar success.
"I'm extremely pleased with his progress, especially for a 20-year-old," said Onalfo. "He's going to help us this year, and he's going to help us for a lot of years. He's a very good pickup for us."
Yet Onalfo is wary of the pressure the top draft pick can face, stating that he doesn't want Myers to be saddled with expectations. Myers himself has already dealt with a major part.
"I don't look at the No. 1 [like] that means you're the best player," said Myers. "It means that team needed me at that spot, and I was there. That's why they took me."
For Myers, it's nice to be wanted. He plans to continue being wanted for a long time.
"I just want to contribute to the team as much as I can, whether it's on or off the field. I want to do whatever it takes to get my playing time, so I'm going to keep working hard and keep making sure the team progresses as it should," he said.
"When you're honest and you work hard, you're going to be successful," said Jewsbury. "He has big things to come, and hopefully he'll have a good year for us."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
