On Wednesday, the FC Dallas roster got a little lighter when two players, defender Brek Shea and midfielder Blake Wagner, left to join the U.S. under-23 national team. This Hoops duo left Frisco for Toulon, France, where on Thursday they will join the U-23s in preparation for the Toulon International Tournament, which begins on May 21.
Shea was the second overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and so far, the 18-year-old has played in one game with the first team, seeing four minutes of action earlier in the year. The Generation adidas player has also started and played every minute in the first four games of the year for the FCD reserves.
Wagner was FCD's starting left wingback, starting all six games and playing all but 15 possible minutes for the Hoops, before head coach Steve Morrow gave him a breather and didn't play him at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
"It's a great opportunity for them," Morrow said. "It was hard to let Blake (Wagner) go in many ways because he's been playing well for us and has had a good run of games. I wanted to give him that opportunity to push hard and to be able to impress Peter Nowak and win a spot on the Olympic team. This might be his last chance and I knew he needed to do that. I didn't want to hold him back from doing that."
Morrow is also happy for Shea.
"There are certain players he (Nowak) wants to look at a little bit closer," the FCD boss said. "It's a good opportunity for all the guys in that tournament to make a last push for the Olympic roster. I think it's unusual (for someone as young as him to be chosen) but it shows what everyone thinks of him as a player. It's great that we have someone so young involved in that. It says a lot for him. He's young but is a very mature player. I hope he does well."
Not surprisingly, both players are very excited about what the trip might hold in store for each of them.
"I'm excited about getting a shot on the Olympic team," Shea said. "When I got an e-mail saying that I was on the provisional roster and then another saying I was on the roster, I was excited. I used to watch that tournament on TV when I was growing up, so going there is pretty cool. It's the only U-23 tournament before Beijing, so it should be a pretty good tournament."
Wagner agreed. "Playing six games (for FCD) definitely gives him (Nowak) a chance to see what I can do," he said. "He liked what he saw I guess. It feels good to be called in. It gives me a little confidence and hopefully, I can do well. Of course (I was surprised). I have never been called into the U-23 camp before."
Both are making their first appearance with the U-23s but are keeping their approach simple.
"I think it's the same thing (that I've experienced with the U-17s and U-20s) but on a higher level," Shea said. "It's a lot more professional because everybody on the team is a pro. I've never played for Peter Nowak but he's an assistant coach for the full team. So, it should be a great experience."
Added Wagner: "I'm just going to go, play hard, hopefully impress the coaching staff and make the team."
For Wagner, he admits that it will disrupt his groove with the Hoops but he also realizes that this isn't an opportunity that comes along every day.
"It will definitely break my rhythm here a little bit," he said. "But I'm going to be doing something that is really important for me, playing for the national team and my country. So, coming back here, I will just try to return and get my spot back."
Shea expects that being around such great competition can only benefit him once he returns to FCD after the tournament.
"I think it will help a lot," he said. "I know that guys like Benny Feilhaber are on the roster and it will be good to play with them because they play at the highest level. I think that will help me out a lot."
Both are also happy to have a teammate along for the ride.
"It's always good to go with somebody that you really know, especially somebody close to you when you're traveling," Shea said. "It's great to have someone to ask questions and also to talk to when you get frustrated."
Said Wagner: "It will be a great experience for both of us," he said. "Going together will be great and hopefully, we can be on the same field playing together."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
