ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC’s grand experiment of Brek Shea at left back looks to be over, at least in MLS terms, as the Lions prepare for life without Kevin Molino for the rest of the season.
While US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann may still consider the versatile Shea as a defender, his opposite number in Orlando now sees the player primarily as a left-side attacking midfielder, starting on Friday night’s Viernes de Futbolhome clash vs. New England (8 pm ET, Univision Deportes, MLS LIVE).
The former FC Dallas and Stoke City flyer has played all seven of his games for the Lions at left back, as well as all five of his USMNT appearances this year, in a move from his previous left wing position. It was a switch initially ordained by Klinsmann, but fully endorsed by OCSC boss Adrian Heath.
Now Shea will return to the left of midfield as Lions coach Heath looks to rebalance his team in the absence of right winger Molino. And the player is happy to accommodate his latest role switch, which began with an impressive substitute appearance last Saturday in a friendly against Brazilian side Ponte Preta immediately following Molino’s season-ending ACL injury.
“If the coach asks me to play center back or goalie, I will play center back or goalie,” he admitted. “I have enjoyed my time at left back, but at the same time, I was excited to get the opportunity to get forward more and to have that freedom to attack knowing I didn’t have to worry about the guy behind me.
“Bods [Luke Boden] did really well on both sides of the ball behind me and I think the gaffer saw that, and that it gave me the ability to create things.”
Shea remains remarkably equable about where he lines up on the field. Yet it was clear to most observers he gave City much more attacking threat in a left-wing role, a fact that was not lost on teammate Eric Avila, who will likely move from left to right midfield to take Molino’s place.
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“It definitely gave us a different look,” Avila observed. “And it felt like he was back in his Dallas days. It will be fun to play around with the system a little bit and I am certainly happy to play on the right.”
Orlando’s onetime USL stalwart Boden will get his second MLS start against the Revolution, but his first alongside Shea, having been a straight replacement for the US star at Montreal earlier this season.
The combination has already been hailed by Lions fans and generated its own hashtag among supporters – #BrekandBodzTogetherOnTheLeft – and Boden is also keen to embrace the idea.
“It was definitely a good experience playing behind Brek on Saturday,” he insisted. “He just has so much pace and awareness in that position and, if I’m looking to play the ball out of defense, he gives you an instant out every time, as he is always available and he holds the ball up so well.”
