HOUSTON – Before his latest USMNT camp Houston Dynamo defender, Geoff Cameron talked about wanting to take the next step and integrate fully into the team. A month and two caps later it was mission accomplished.
His latest stint with the Yanks had him feeling right at home after finding some kindred spirits, evident by his and several players twitter feeds; and his legs on the field after two solid performances. Talking with the defender it seemed hard for him not to smile when talking about both his time on and off the pitch.
“I liked the guys, enjoyed myself and got along with them and felt a part of the group,” Cameron said last Friday. “Experience is what I need. It showed that [USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann] has some confidence in me to say ‘Hey, I’m putting you in the second half against Guatemala.’ Overall, it was a gist of how things are going to go.”
While the camp was good for Cameron it was one that tested him both mentally and physically.
After playing four games in 11 days, the defender went to work for a task master who put the group through two and sometimes three-a-day sessions in addition to playing five games in under a month. But Cameron showed to be a fit both on and off the field.
The Dynamo defender featured against Scotland on May 29th, going the full 90 minutes. Apart from of an unlucky own goal the reviews were positive. After seeing zero time in the next three matches, Cameron pitched a strong relief performance coming in for the US’ second World Cup qualifier against Guatemala. While there were concerns about the US’ ability to adapt in a hostile environment, Cameron was ready for what he was stepping into.
“I remember playing in Guatemala against Municipal and it was the same stadium and I remember them burning the American flag and throwing quarters and batteries at me and that stuff jacks me up,” the defender said. “That excitement where the adrenaline gets going and you can feel the crowd on top of you. That environment, that’s what you live for.”
The center back’s performance has done little to stem rumors that offers for a transfer away from Houston are on their way. While the rumors keep flowing, Cameron is focused keeping his head down and continuing to work with the only professional club he has ever known.
“There’s been some articles that there’s interest but I’m trying to stay focused and play [in Houston] right now,” Cameron said. “I’m here with the Dynamo and I’m here in Houston and I love playing for [Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear] and playing here, but if it happens it happens. I’m not dwelling on it.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
