FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Right back was a position with looming question marks heading into the season for the New England Revolution. And the predictions of uncertainty have proved true, as a number of players have rotated in and out all year.
The loss of A.J. Soares in the offseason and moving Andrew Farrell, who had right back locked down since being drafted first overall in 2013, to center back created a void on the right that has since seen four players man the position.
"I think it keeps us all competitive in training; it brings the best out of everybody, which is good," said Jeremy Hall, who has occupied the position during the Revs recent 2-0-1 run. "It definitely raises everybody’s level.”
Out of the gate, it was veteran Kevin Alston who was given the keys to the right side, but just two games in he suffered a right hamstring injury.
Hall got the start in week three before Darrius Barnes would take over at right back for the next three matches before he too suffered an injury, to his left knee, requiring surgery that will keep him out until at least October.
Enter London Woodberry, an FC Dallas castoff who added his own boost to the position with some deft crossing that led to two assists in 11 straight starts.
“London took his opportunity," said head coach Jay Heaps. "He trained really well and took his opportunity and took that role for a while."
Then Hall got another start, followed by Alston, who once again suffered a hamstring injury, this time on his left leg.
But it’s been Hall who has stepped in once more, given another chance in the face of the club’s previous five-game losing streak and a suspension that pushed Woodberry to central defense, to provide a physical option that has remained in place for the last three matches.
“They are both great players,” Alston said of Woodberry and Hall. “The coaches expect whoever is on the field will get the job done. I think both of those guys are more than capable.”
Each player has the ability to play in several roles, but with the deep Revs roster, right back has been the spot where there is the most opportunity.
“Jeremy had the opportunity through suspension to get a game in and really has dug in and maintained the position,” said Heaps. “It’s a good battle, and I just really like the way that those guys are competing every day.”
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While the position hasn’t been without fault this season, the group of four players have certainly presented Heaps with numerous options to better game plan.
“Nobody wants to get complacent or comfortable,” said Alston, who has three starts at right back this season. “It’s a competitive environment every day we step on the field. Everybody wants to be playing, on the same note they want the team to be successful and they want to push each other.”
"Guys that are starting right now, they have to perform well to keep the spot," said Hall. "Everybody is just so competitive and wants to win. I think it’s bringing the best out of all of us and in the end it’s going to pay dividends.”
