CHESTER, Pa. – After claiming his first cap for the US national team on Tuesday, it’s hard to believe that FC Dallas winger Brek Shea now has to worry about winning a starting spot again on his club side.
Following the 0-0 tie between the USA and Colombia at PPL Park, the 20-year-old acknowledged the fact that he has some work to do to get back in the lineup in Frisco.
“Marvin [Chávez] has three games, two goals and one assist,” Shea said. “He’s playing well and I have to get back in there and show them that I can help the team out, too.”
The red card and subsequent two-game suspension that Shea received against the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 16 opened the door for Honduran Chávez to crack the starting XI, and he has not given it back. That NY match had been Shea's 20th consecutive start since May 1.
“When I got my red card, I was out and Marvin Chávez stepped in and is playing really well,” Shea said. “I’ve got to earn my spot back.”
Shea was away with the US national team for most of last week, returning to FC Dallas two days before Saturday’s match against Colorado. The Texas native came on for the last half hour of the 2-2 tie against the Rapids in place of Chávez.
He will surely look forward to coming back to the FC Dallas 4-1-4-1 formation after struggling in the USA’s experimental 4-3-3 during the first half against Colombia.
“I definitely feel more comfortable in a 4-4-2,” Shea said. “I’m not saying I can’t play in the 4-3-3, but I haven’t played there in a while and especially being nervous with my first cap.”
If there is a second cap, Shea will hope it comes in the annual January camp. If he were to get called up by Bob Bradley for November’s trip to South Africa, it would mean FC Dallas are not in the running for MLS Cup 2010 on Nov. 21.
