Jack Jewsbury has always been a good soccer player - from his Missouri state record 59 goals in his senior year of high school to his years as an attacking force at St. Louis University to the professional level, where his versatility has made him a valuable member of the Kansas City Wizards.
But that very versatility can also cause a problem.
After a successful 2004 season when Jewsbury became a regular contributor - 15 starts and 22 appearances - to the then-Western Conference champion Wizards, he saw his starts dwindle to six in 2005. Even though he was rewarded last season with 19 starts, the four-year veteran was left on the bench at the beginning of 13 matches.
But 2006 could be goodbye bench and hello full-time starting position for Jewsbury.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old is making a claim to be Kansas City's regular right back. And it's about time.
"With the new coaching staff, [being a full-time starter] was something I definitely had on my mind ... I need to make my mark," stated the Springfield, Mo., native. "I want to solidify myself as a starter on this team."
The idea also was on the mind of the Wizards' new coach, Curt Onalfo.
"Curt came up to me and said, 'We want to try you at right back. How do you feel about that?' At that time, I (said), 'Well, it's definitely something new for me.' But it's actually where I got my first start with the Wizards," said Jewsbury, referencing a 2003 match vs. the Colorado Rapids.
Onalfo's experiment was spurred by a desire to put the best 11 players on the field and the blatant need for someone to fill the hole at right back.
"We looked at our current roster and we felt like we had a lot of similar type players in Jack, Kerry Zavagnin and Sasha Victorine," said Onalfo. "It seemed to be the most logical choice to try [Jewsbury] at right back and he's done well. It's a credit to him.
"What we like about Jack is that we think he is very good on the ball, so out of the buildup he helps us. He has some good defensive tendencies as well," continued the Wizards' first-year coach. "He has a good shot from distance and he's also very good on attacking set pieces. We feel he's a very good player."
A versatile performer becomes a well-suited mainstay. At least that's the plan.
"For the last four weeks now I've played that position and I'm starting to get more comfortable attacking from there," said Jewsbury, who tallied one goal and three assists in 2006. "It's just working on defensive shape of our back four and stuff like that."
An integral part of possession and attack in a 4-4-2, the wide backs have a lot of responsibility, a fact that entices Jewsbury.
"At right back, I'm not going to get as many opportunities at goal, but I think crossing the ball is another thing I can do to help the team. On set pieces, if I can get forward and have a go at the goal, I'm going to do that," said Jewsbury, who is a good target at 6 feet tall. "And defensively and offensively on corner kicks trying to win headers in the box and trying to get some chances are others things I can do."
If Jewsbury is successful in handling this new opportunity and its considerable responsibilities, he will likely make his new bride, Brittney, a proud wife.
"Now there's more responsibility. There's another person. We just bought a house, so I have that responsibility," Jewsbury said. "I want to be on the field and help my team. But I do want to nail down a position. If it's going to be right back, then if I can help the team and start there and do well for the team and the organization, that's great."
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
