After 120 minutes in the Kansas City Wizards recent U.S. Open Cup play-in win against the Colorado Rapids, Jonathan Leathers was one of only six K.C. starters still on the field.
That the 22-year-old defender lasted to the final minute of the Wizards' victory on penalty kicks was a tribute to his strength and proof of the trust put in the 25th overall pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft. Such is Leathers' world at the moment. He's the hot pick, he's on a roll, and he's hoping it lasts as long as possible.
"I'm just trying to make the most of every opportunity I get," said the Furman University product. "Hopefully, I'll stay in [the Wizards' lineup] a little longer, just keep on bustin' it."
"Bustin' it." Yes, Leathers isn't made of the soft, inviting leather of a favorite recliner; he's more like the leather strapped around a bull bucking around the rodeo ring. Better yet, he is the bull, one unfettered by straps of leather.
"He's a guy that as the game goes on, he gets better, and that's a great sign because usually young players get tired and make mistakes," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo. "This kid has an unbelievably great mentality, and I want guys on the field who have hearts of lions and are mentally tough. He's shown that; that's why he's gotten the nod. He's done well with his opportunities."
Leathers' latest opportunities began in late May when he was called into the U.S. under-23 national team to play in a tournament in Toulon, France, in preparation for this summer's Olympic Games. The U.S. fell in all three contests, facing Turkey, Ivory Coast and Italy, but the value was not lost on Leathers.
"It was a phenomenal experience, just seeing how those players play; it's like a different level," said Leathers who played the full 90 minutes against Turkey and Italy. "I tried to learn everything I could from them. It was just a great experience.
"[Italy] was something else; they were really good," he continued. "I saw that everybody was moving. When everybody is moving, they have multiple options and they can switch it fast. They play a lot faster than us. Hopefully, I can transfer that to here."
After his French adventure, the second-team All-American got his chance to apply what he had learned in Wizards matches. Leathers hadn't played for the Kansas City first team since mop-up duty April 20 at Chicago, but Onalfo called on him in an May 31 exhibition against CSD Municipal of Guatemala. The result was a 2-0 win, and Leathers has held off all challengers at right back since, mainly top overall pick Chance Myers, whom he replaced.
"Jonathan is an unbelievably great competitor. He's very, very good defensively," said Onalfo. "There is not a lot of margin for error when you are playing as many games as we did on the road. We've made some errors in that position that cost us goals, which inevitably cost us points. I feel comfortable with him."
Playing for a coach who is not afraid to make changes, Leathers will have to keep improving, and so far he has in the Open Cup match and in his fifth regular season start, which came in a 0-0 draw at Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
"He learns everyday. His weakness is [that he can] technically always get better. Having said that, he's made huge strides and makes very few errors on both sides of the ball," Onalfo said. "We're extremely pleased with the attitude and approach that he's brought. And it gives Chance a little bit of time to watch from the sidelines and learn that way as well. It's a process for young players to get better."
"During practices, I just work as hard as I can," said Leathers. "Coach believes in me; he put me in there."
And Leathers has made another believer in Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad, the man he takes most of his orders from on the field.
"Since he came back from the tournament with the U-23s, he's shown some savvy. ... He's a winner and wants to do what's best for his team," Conrad said. "He's raw; he's young, but we're working with him and his learning curve is very quick. You tell him something once and he does it."
So the bull is not so much raging and out of control, but he's still a bull who will stop at nothing to earn trust and respect.
When asked if he thought he would make the Olympic team that will travel to China in August, Leathers confirmed that desire. "If not, I'm just going to work harder, maybe World Cup eventually," he said.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
