FRISCO, Texas — There's no question FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea had a breakout year in 2010.
In 25 games, including 21 starts, Shea had five goals and four assists. He added two more assists in four playoff appearances for the eventual Western Conference champions.
But his list of ’10 accomplishments doesn’t end there. Last September, he got his first cap with the US national team in a friendly against Colombia. The 6-foot-3 Texan was also part of the Generation adidas team that traveled to Spain in early December. He then spent much of January in camp with the national team and started against Chile.
With such a busy offseason, FCD fans would rightly worry about their young star not getting enough rest during the break, but the 20-year-old has put such fears to rest.
“[The offseason] was a mixture of relaxing and getting ready for the season,” Shea said. “I got sick for a while [around the holidays], which isn’t good, but I’m over it and I’m ready for the season."
[inline_node:325048]During the tour with the Generation adidas squad, which was coached by his club coach, Schellas Hyndman, Shea made headlines by playing at center back. But for Shea, it wasn’t anything brand new as he had played there in 2008 during a reserve-division game.
He could get more time there during this preseason as well. One FCD starting center back, Ugo Ihemelu, might need surgery to repair a sports hernia and fellow starter George John has yet to return to practice after having offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle.
Hyndman admitted he likes the size and tenacity that Shea brings to the back.
“He’s a hell of a center back," Hyndman said. "I think what I’ll probably do is continue to train him because I think it can help him in his future and also in his defensive play. And if we ever need a center back, he fits right in.”
However, when FCD take the field to kick off the 2011 regular season on March 19 against Chicago, Shea figures to be in his usual spot: left midfield.
But as he heads into his fourth season in MLS, it’s easy to forget how young he still is. Shea won't turn 21 until just before the season opener. And as is often the case with young players, the biggest question is whether Shea can be consistent.
“What can Brek do with more experience? I think he shows everybody in the league that he’s here,” Hyndman said. “Now all we’ve got to do is really get more consistency with him.”
It makes sense, then, that the young midfielder wants to use his breakout performance of 2010 as nothing more than a springboard to reaching even greater heights in 2011.
“I look at it as I want to be better each year, so I look at it as a stepping stone,” Shea said. “This year is going to be bigger. I’m going to do bigger and better things each year. Like any other year, I’ve got to get back to the basics. I’ve got to be way more consistent than last year.”
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