FRISCO - We’re starting to see some formation action as the opening week of preseason rolls along and as things get more technical on the field, players are all fighting and pushing each other for position in Oscar Pareja’s depth chart.
Over the next 2-3 weeks, here are just a few position battles to keep an eye on.
Jesse Gonzalez vs. Jimmy Maurer
If anyone knows the mindset to ride the hot hand in goal, it’s Jesse Gonzalez. He took over the starting roll in late 2015 by supplanting an injured Dan Kennedy and holding onto the job. He lost it in 2016 when Chris Seitz played so well, Pareja couldn’t take him off the field. And then again in 2017, the roles were reversed as Gonzalez took back over for Seitz.
A veteran like Jimmy Maurer is a must-have with a young ‘keeper like Jesse - playing much the role Seitz did in helping guide the netminder’s budding career. But make no mistake about it, Maurer is here to win a starting role. Gonzalez is in the driver’s seat coming into camp, but we all know how quickly that could change at any point in 2018.
Roland Lamah vs. Francis Atuahene
Although he took a lot of flack in 2017, Roland Lamah pieced together a nice campaign in his first MLS season with 11 goals and three assists. Early in preseason, though, it’s easy to see why Dallas traded up for a top-flight talent like Francis Atuahene. With incredible speed and a technical ability on the ball, it will be interesting to watch who takes the reigns of that starting left winger role.
Tesho Akindele vs. Cristian Colman
Able to play either on the wing or up top as a striker, Tesho Akindele’s versatility is something Pareja loves to have in his back pocket. Now, though, there are plenty of wingers on the roster and Akindele will likely look to stake claim on one of the forward roles on a more full-time basis. FCD’s leading scored in 2017 Maxi Urruti comes in with a likely top spot there, but it could be Tesho vs. Cristian Colman for the next-man-up up front.
Jacori Hayes vs. Brandon Servania
We can dub this the Battle of the Demon Deacons. Both Jacori Hayes and Brandon Servania play a similar role deep in the midfield, although Servania shows a little more of a knack to get up the field where Hayes sits a little deeper. We saw Hayes come on strong at the end of last season, and while Servania is ready to take a development year, he’ll still push on his fellow Wake Forest standout for minutes throughout the year.
Jordan Cano vs. Kris Reaves
While Kris Reaves is beginning camp on the right side of the back line, he’s completely comfortable in the middle after spending most of his time there in college. Jordan Cano is a true center back who wants to keep his name in the conversation behind Matt Hedges and Reto Ziegler. The two Homegrowns will go head-to-head to fight for depth roles and minutes as preseason rolls on.
