WASHINGTON, D.C. ā Exactly two years ago, D.C. United center back Steve Birnbaum was waiting for his opportunity to break into the starting lineup behind the veteran pairing of Bobby Boswell and Jeff Parke.
How things have changed.
While Boswell remains Unitedās captain, Birnbaum has evolved into its most elite defender -- save possibly for goalkeeper Bill Hamid -- and has played his way into the US national team picture ahead of next monthās Copa America Centenario. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced linking him to several potential European suitors.
We caught up with Birnbaum about his road to the pros, his club and international aspirations, and his golf game as he and his Black-and-Red teammates prepared for Fridayās Atlantic Cup derby against the New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET, UniMĆ”s).
Re2pect for Baseball
Despite a natural combination of height and athleticism that are ideal for a center back, Birnbaum grew up playing as much baseball as soccer, featuring as a shortstop and reliever on Southern Californiaās highly competitive travel circuit. And although he carried soft spots for Chelseaās Frank Lampard and John Terry, his biggest childhood idol played on the diamond in pinstripes.
āI was a huge Derek Jeter fan,ā Birnbaum says. āI wore No. 2. I was shortstop. Batted second in the order. I had like murals of stuff that he had done in my room.ā
Donāt worry, he says. Heās not a Yankee fan anymore. Instead, he follows his familyās interest in the Cardinals, which in the city of Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper probably isnāt a whole lot better.
Moving Forward
By high school, Birnbaum had chosen soccer over baseball because of the faster pace, a decision that ultimately led him to a college career at Cal. And by his final collegiate season, he was one of the nationās top college defenders and a 10-goal scorer.
To a point, heās carried that over, scoring twice during Unitedās 2015 league campaign and once in the USMNTās January friendly against Iceland. And he still likes to creep into Unitedās shooting drills at the end of training sessions, says goalkeeper Travis Worra.
āFor a center back, heās pretty good at striking the ball,ā Worra said. āHeāll place it on the corners pretty well actually. But I donāt worry when he steps up to shoot.ā
Penalty Solution?
Birnbaum actually took penalties for Cal during his senior season, partly because of coach Kevin Grimesā theory that the calmest players should be the ones stepping up to the spot. āApparently center backs donāt run a lot in the game, so we should have the lowest heart rate,ā Birnbaum quipped.
Until Lamar Neagle converted a penalty against New England last month, United had missed a string of penalties dating back to the 2015 campaign. But Birnbaum didnāt dare throw his hat in the ring.
āAbsolutely not,ā Birnbaum said. āI think everyone has seen my finishing during practice. They would think it was a joke more than anything.ā
Peer Mentoring
Birnbaum credits veteran teammate Boswell as a key force in his early development as a professional, even while Boswell and Parke prevented him from seeing the pitch during his first 13 games as a pro.
āHe would be in my ear saying that your time would come, when I was sitting out my first year,ā Birnbaum recalled. āIt did come and I got to play next to him thankfully, and heās shown me a lot.ā
Turn Up the Volume
One way Boswell helped Birnbaum improve was by working on his communication and organization skills. Teammates like Worra agree, noting that Birnbaumās demeanor on the pitch differs from his mellow vibe away from it.
āHe looks really calm and steady. And then in the game, he and I will really get into it and get into each other,ā Worra said. āJust constructive criticism sort of things. But I never really pictured him to raise his voice level or anything like that.ā
International Aspirations
Birnbaum received invitations for Jurgen Klinsmannās January camps in 2015 and 2016, then joined the Yanks for a pair of qualifiers against Guatemala in March. He started in the second, a 4-0 shutout in Columbus that put the US back on the path toward CONCACAFās Hexagonal round.
Birnbaum called it āthe biggest game of my career,ā but he could have the opportunity for more if he makes this summerās Copa America roster. Coach Ben Olsen is pulling for him, even if it means an inconvenience for the club.
āWith the national team, when I think back, those are the special times, whether it was the Gold Cups or the Confederation Cups, the Copa Americas and the World Cup,ā Olsen said. āBeing with a national team for a longer period, those are great.ā
Outside Track
Birnbaum has occasionally featured at outside back, a trait he believes could help his international aims. āI think it helps my case, but I donāt think [Klinsmann] or most people see me as an outside back. Itās more of an emergency thing. But now that Iāve played there a couple times, I do feel a little more comfortable stepping in there instead of just throwing me into the fire and dealing with things.ā
Are Euro Staying or Leaving?
Birnbaum has been linked to potential interest from clubs in Germany, Belgium and Israel in the last couple weeks as the European domestic seasons die down and the so-called āsilly seasonā transfer speculation begins. Birnbaum says he isnāt focused on a move overseas, but didnāt rule it out, either.
āItās always nice to have people who want you and who are interested,ā Birnbaum said. āMy agents are dealing with that. Right now theyāre wanting me to focus on D.C. and hopefully if I get called in to the US [national team], the Copa America, then that would be great.ā
The Other Kind of Clubs
Since becoming a professional, Birnbaum has turned to golf as an off-the-field outlet with current teammate Taylor Kemp and assistant coach Davy Arnaud. On his best days, heās capable of shooting an 85. On his worst, that more intense side can come out.
āIāve thought about throwing my clubs,ā he said. āItās tough, because once you make a bad shot, itās tough to make it up. You shoot yourself in the foot a couple times. ā¦ Weāre pretty competitive when we go out there, so itās not a relaxing day.ā
Not in Awe
At 25, Birnbaum is on the older side for a third-year pro. But the rise since leaving college has still been quick. And if heās in the side for the Yanksā Copa America opener on June 3, that would come four days before the two-year anniversary of his United debut. Which would be nice, but not a shock.
āI do keep high expectations for myself,ā he said. āComing in [to D.C.], I thought I shouldāve been starting right away, but thatās how things work. ā¦ Once I came on the field, I tried to show them what I could do, and Iāve kind of never left since then. Iām thankful for where I am, but Iām not surprised, if that makes sense.ā