ST-HUBERT, Quebec – Jeb Brovsky’s ability to adapt has served him well in MLS.
When the Vancouver Whitecaps made him the 19th overall pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Brovsky was a midfield prospect coming out of the University of Notre Dame. Left exposed by the ‘Caps ahead of the most recent Expansion Draft, he had been converted to right back by the time he was selected by the Montreal Impact, having made the position his own in the last weeks of Vancouver’s 2011 season.
GOAL: Brovsky, Mapp set up Arnaud
This term, he has played eight games at right back so far. But he has also played 11 at yet another new position: left back. Still, the 24-year-old Brovsky has done remarkably well on the left side of the Impact’s backline, picking up an assist in Montreal’s 4-2 win over the Houston Dynamo in June and supporting his team’s attacking play with ease.
“It’s obviously a new transition,” Brovsky told MLSsoccer.com on Monday night. “[But I think it has] been easy. Sometimes, it even plays to my ability to come inside and maybe connect some passes.”
Despite the conversion, Brovsky is far from unsettled. While he does admits that he would “certainly like” to play one position more consistently, he is delighted that versatility is among the many tools in his arsenal.
That trait could prove extremely beneficial as reinforcements come in. The Montreal infirmary is nearly vacant – which has led head coach Jesse Marsch to field center back Matteo Ferrari on the left – and recently signed left back Dennis Iapichino will be looking to establish himself as a valuable option.
But, as Brovsky points out, all it takes is one unexpected twist for him to display his flexibility, and he is hoping that this Sunday’s game against the New England Revolution could be “a good one” for him.
“I think it’s a good sign that, in our team, we have competition at every position,” Brovsky said. “I’m just looking to build on every performance. I felt like I had a good outing against New York, and the coaches had a different plan for the Philadelphia game. You’ve just got to keep your confidence and be ready for the next one. You see what happens in a game: a sudden red card and you can be back in the mix.”
As for that third ace up his sleeve, his midfield background, Brovsky feels he can still play it.
“It’s a tough position to break into in any team," Brovsky noted, "but it’s certainly something I’m not keeping out of question."
