With their first pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft recent draft, the Los Angeles Galaxy selected defender Ugo Ihemelu out of Southern Methodist University, and it was a pick that raised more than a few eyebrows around the league.
The rookie then opened eyes on his own, put into the starting lineup in the second game of the season then staying there through the month of July. But it was after a game earlier this month against Colorado when Galaxy coach Steve Sampson decided to sit his rookie based on a poor performance.
"He had a bad game and everyone's entitled to a bad game," said Sampson. "It doesn't mean Ugo's being discarded. It means, 'Hey, it's time to take a rest. You've seen a lot of minutes that's going to pay dividends for you and this club.' We'll chalk that game up to experience."
At the beginning of the season, Ihemelu silenced his critics from the get-go. Blessed with great speed and strength, the Nigerian native has all the physical tools needed to be a great defender in this league. He was even being mentioned as a rookie of the year candidate in several circles. Then, as happens with so many rookies in so many sports, Ihemelu seemed to hit a wall.
His physical attributes no longer were able to compensate for mental lapses that often occur with rookies and Sampson had no choice but to sit Ihemelu. It's a move that Ihemelu understands.
"I need to work on staying focused and reading the game a bit better," said Ihemelu. "Being calm on the ball and not trying to do too much."
Lack of concentration has been an issue for Ihemelu. But if his play were evaluated over the course of the season, he has enjoyed a lot more minutes and success than most rookies ever have in MLS. His learning curve was certainly sped along by veterans Chris Albright, Tyrone Marshall and Kevin Hartman, who play alongside him every day.
"With them around I've learned a lot pretty quickly," said Ihemelu. "They make it easy. They're not too in your face about things. They just let you know what you're doing wrong. They show you what you're doing wrong."
The grind of a full professional season in any sport is far different than anything experienced in college and it's why so many rookies in all sports fall off a bit towards the tail end of a season. While Ihemelu's play might have been suspect in his last few games, it's hard to blame him for hitting a bit of a slump. With the right attitude, the time he sees on the bench could prove to be just as much of a learning experience as the time he's spent on the field.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
