If Fire midfielder Justin Mapp has an unfair advantage in Friday's exhibition against the MetroStars, Chicago's Eastern Conference rivals won't be pointing fingers, screaming about performance enhancing supplements. No, there are other factors at play, ones of which only Mapp can take advantage.
Don't worry Commissioner Garber, there's no need for Congress to hold hearings. We're talking about home-cooked meals, the comforts of a familiar bed and some good old-fashioned quality time with friends.
For the second straight year, the Fire will end their lengthy preseason in Jackson, Miss., just minutes from Mapp's hometown of Brandon. When combined with the Fire's short break last week, the schedule worked out in favor of the local hero, giving Mapp a two-week "working vacation" at home, something he definitely relished before the start of a long MLS campaign.
"It's always good to come home, especially since it works out right before the season and I don't know when I'll be able to get back again," said Mapp. "It was a nice two weeks and it was great to be able to see everybody. I'm just hoping we'll be able to get some kids out to the game and help support Mississippi soccer."
With the turnout of last year's exhibition match resulting in a standing room only crowd of nearly 7,000, Mapp's hopes might not be necessary. While Jackson won't be talked about alongside Toronto, Seattle and other cities for the next round of MLS expansion, there is certainly a buzz about the sport in the city, thanks in large part to the South Madison County Soccer Organization, the group organizing the second annual event. With southern hospitality a way of life, the reception the team has received is not surprising, nor is the way the team has warmed up to its unfamiliar surroundings.
"The guys think all the people and the accommodations have been really nice. They seem to be enjoying it. It's obviously a lot different than Chicago, but they've really enjoyed it for the most part," Mapp said. "And the fans down here love it as well. The town seems to be excited, so hopefully we'll have another great turnout."
Mapp's stop at home was the latest in a preseason that started earlier than most of the other players on the Fire squad. However, you won't hear him complain about the extra work, since it came during his first camp with the full U.S. men's national team at the end of January. Mapp has represented the U.S. youth teams on the global stage, but this was the 20-year-old budding star's first chance with Bruce Arena's team, and he's hoping that won't be the last.
"It was great to get that first opportunity with the national team, to see what it was all about," said Mapp. "It gave me the chance to make myself better and hopefully see what it takes to make it back there."
The best way to get back there for most young Americans is to perform well for your MLS club, something that Mapp could have learned from watching the man who occupied his position on the Fire for most of the previous five seasons, DaMarcus Beasley. Mapp was deployed all around the field during his first two seasons in Chicago, but the 2005 season could provide a different type of homecoming for Mapp. With Beasley now enjoying success overseas, Mapp now has the chance to show off his considerable skills in the position he considers his home on the left flank.
"Hopefully I can stay in that position," he said. "I've been all over the place the last couple of years, but hopefully this year I can stay in one spot and be able to fit in consistently for 90 minutes. I'm looking to do things more consistently and do what I can to help the team win."
Not that he's one to complain, as the reason Mapp couldn't find a consistent home was because head coach Dave Sarachan was searching to find him a place on the field. To continue rewarding the coach's confidence in him, Mapp isn't resting on the fact that, despite being only 20-years-old, he has a regular spot in the starting 11.
"I need to work on everything. I'm still a young player. There are players that are 30-years-old that are still learning the game, so I've got a lot to learn and still have to work on every aspect of my game."
That being said, the expectations on the budding star are high. While some think of Mapp as only 20-years-old, others will point to the fact that he is about to kick off his fourth season in MLS. The fact that he is a "grizzled veteran" at such a young age is something that Mapp knows well, and he knows the expectations that come with it.
"I'm 20, but this is my fourth year in MLS, so I've been around the league and I know what it takes to succeed," he said. "I'm young, but I've been around. This year I'm just looking to put it all together."
After showing signs of putting it all together last season before being sidelined with a knee injury, Mapp is one of the more intriguing players in MLS heading into next weekend's season opener. After agreeing to a long-term contract with the Fire prior to last season, there is one thing that Mapp will not need to search for along with the success he is working so hard to achieve in this sport, and that's a home in Chicago.
Then again, it's pretty easy to see Mapp already has one of those down here in Mississippi as well.
John Koluder is a contributor to Chicago-Fire.com.
