Sasha Victorine is one of the easier Kansas City Wizards to spot on the field. And if you lose sight of the 6-foot-2 midfielder for a moment, just listen. Victorine is also a vocal presence on the field as well.
"Right now he's in charge in of our midfield with Kerry Zavagnin gone (at the U.S. national team camp)," Wizards coach Bob Gansler said. "He is a veteran out there and a vocal one and leading by example."
Gansler walks around the field in the middle of scrimmages to not only make sure players communicate with each other but to also keep the talk useful. Gansler likes both what Victorine is saying, and doing.
The Wizards acquired the 28-year-old Victorine from the Los Angeles Galaxy in a trade in January 2005. After that, Victorine made a smooth transition, for the most part, into the Wizards in his first season after five seasons playing for the Galaxy.
The Wizards and Galaxy had some tense battles when they were competing for the top spot in the Western Conference. Now that he is with the Wizards, Victorine has a different perspective on the Wizards.
For example, Wizards defender Nick Garcia seemed to be a bit of bad guy when Victorine played for the Galaxy. Garcia's battles with former Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz caused more than one ruckus on the field that caused play to be stopped.
"(Garcia) is a player some people think of as a dirty player," Victorine said. "He's actually a solid defender who puts his heart into every play. He's one of those guys you despised before playing with him and next to him. Now you appreciate him being next to you."
At the beginning of last season, Victorine played right back. When Diego Gutierrez was injured, Victorine moved back into the midfield.
"I feel like I can play every position on the field," Victorine said. "But I feel more comfortable in the center of the midfield because I grew up playing there and I think I suits my game being there."
Victorine ended the season with seven goals, matching the most he scored in 2001 with the Galaxy, and four assists. Victorine was also one of 10 Major League Soccer players who had no yellow or red cards while playing and starting at least half his club's games.
Victorine admits that he is cautious with his tackles for fear of drawing a red card. But he does not let that get in the way of playing effective soccer.
"For me, I try put myself in a place where I am not put in a desperate situation," Victorine said. That made Victorine a good choice at right back, until he was needed elsewhere.
"There is nothing is too far from him on the field that he won't help defenders chase," Gansler said. "His tactical shrewdness to get it to the right is an attribute."
The Wizards missed the playoffs, so Victorine was able to get an early start on preparing for next season. Kansas City proved to be a good fit for Victorine during the season, but the weather during the winter months is a little too cool for Victorine, who spent most of the offseason in the Los Angeles area staying in shape.
After all, Victorine grew up, attended college and played professionally for five seasons in Southern California. It will take a little more time getting used to midwestern weather.
"The toughest thing for me is the wind," Victorine said. "A lot of days the wind is blowing at about 20 miles per hour during training. In California, you get wind every once in while."
Getting the Wizards back on track for a playoff spot and MLS Cup run is what Victorine works on everyday. But how well that is coming along is still a question mark.
"It's tough to say right now," Victorine said. "We have a lot of young guys and new faces. I'd say we have the talent. Obviously, it comes down to how we gel together and play together."
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
