In the fall of 2008, the biggest concern for Chivas USA rookie Michael Lahoud was making sure he got all his homework done. A senior at Wake Forest University at the time, he was finishing up a degree in mathematics and helping the Demon Deacons to a place in the NCAA College Cup.
Now, just 12 months later, he has just finished his first regular season in MLS and is preparing for the biggest games of his professional career -- a two-legged showdown with Chivas USA's archrivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Needless to say, a lot can change in a year.
"It's been a great experience," said Lahoud of his first regular season. "I remember when I first walked through those doors, I was so intimidated. Just talking to the coaching staff and their expectations of me, I felt very overwhelmed."
Lahoud was drafted ninth overall by Chivas USA in January's SuperDraft. He made his professional debut just two months later, coming on as a substitute in the Red-and-White's home opener against the Colorado Rapids on March 21.
Since then, he has made 16 appearances for Chivas USA, including nine starts. He has become a staple of the starting XI in recent weeks, helping the Red-and-White finish their season with a 3-2-3 record.
"I feel like the experience that I have had is different than a lot of the other rookies in MLS," said Lahoud. "I had to be knocked down and then built back up. But guys like Eduardo [Lillingston], Mariano [Trujillo], Sacha [Kljestan] and Paulo [Nagamura], just to name a few, have helped me out tremendously."
Nagamura has served as Lahoud's unofficial mentor for much of the 2009 season, offering advice to the young rookie and helping him to improve his game.
"He has progressed a lot since he first got here," said Nagamura. "I think he has all the tools to be a good player. He just has to keep working on it and try to make himself a better player every day. As a first year, he had a pretty good year."
Lahoud capped off his first professional season with his first MLS goal, scoring in the 60th minute of Chivas USA's game against Houston on Saturday. Fittingly, it was Nagamura who provided the assist.
"I made a run to the near post and Paulo sent a great ball across," said Lahoud. "I just reacted more quickly than anyone else. I wanted to celebrate, but as soon as I started to, Paulo told me to get back and be ready. It's good to have guys like that that keep your head in the game."
With the 2009 MLS regular season in the books, Lahoud and the rest of Chivas USA will now turn their attentions to the first-ever playoff SuperClásico against the Galaxy.
"Off the field, all the hype is there," said Lahoud of the matchup. "But one thing the guys always tell me is that once that whistle blows, it's a level playing field. It doesn't matter who you're playing against; he's just another player. That's how you have to look at it. You give him respect, but not too much respect."
Lahoud is excited at the prospect of facing off against some of the game's best in Landon Donovan and David Beckham, and is ready to make his first venture into MLS postseason play.
"Mike's a great player," said Justin Braun. "You can see that he's very capable and each game, he's become better. As he gets more experience, he's going to be a dangerous player. Hopefully, in the playoffs, he can continue to step in and fill those roles like he has been doing."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
