Besler gives Wizards defense big jolt
Rookie defender's exceptional play big reason behind Wizards' quick turnaround
Then again, it's easy to forget where you came from when you've become the newest talk of the league and have a chance to take over the top of the Eastern Conference standings just 180 minutes since sitting at the bottom of the division.
Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo made several changes to his starting lineup prior to the San Jose game, and the play has been nothing short of stellar since.
Most noticeable has been the improved defensive play.
Through their first two games, both losses, the Wizards surrendered 28 shots, 14 on goal. In the past two contests, both shutout wins, those numbers evaporated to 12 and three.
Of course, there are other factors that contribute to opponents being unable to find scoring opportunities. If they don't have the ball, thanks to someone like a Santiago Hirsig (who has shown the ability to hold possession until he decides it's time to move), the opponent can't score.
If the opponent has to constantly account for a streaking Davy Arnaud or Claudio Lopez, it can't set a counter. If it has to worry about a midfield bomb from Jack Jewsbury, it's the same thing -- the opposition can't focus on attacking while on its heels.
But, it is the defense that has mostly fueled the good play of late.
The statistics prove it -- while Kansas City is holding down shots allowed, its own shot numbers have remained nearly the same. In the first two games, 19 shots with nine on goal; 21 and 10 in the last two.
The back line for the Wizards has been outstanding. Led by five-time MLS All-Star defender and captain Jimmy Conrad, the Wizards have become a wall -- making life a whole lot easier for goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who faced virtually every type of shot in the club's first two contests.
With the veteran Conrad and starter Aaron Hohlbein, Lance Watson has proven himself (again) as a defender since joining the starting 11 prior to San Jose, along with another fresh face.
Rookie Matt Besler, the eighth overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, has played like an All-Star.
Since becoming a starter, Besler has drawn a couple of the toughest assignments during the Wizards' games. Against Arturo Alvarez and San Jose, Besler was wonderful in locking down the outside. Seattle went into its game with the Wizards boasting one of the most powerful attacks in MLS with Fredy Montero. Besler deflected a Montero shot in the 65th minute helping preserve the shutout.
Besler is making it look easy, but there are still things to work on, including overcoming being the young guy.
"I think everyone out on the field is expected to voice their opinion if they see something that is going to help the team," Besler said. "My job, especially as a defender, I can see everything in front of me. So, yeah, I'm expected to be vocal if I see something.
"It's a little bit of a challenge for me. It's probably what I'm working on most everyday right now is my communication with my older teammates."
The transition from draft pick to starter has been nearly seamless. Onalfo called Besler's performance against San Jose "exceptional." He was every bit of that again against Seattle.
Obviously, nerves aren't a problem. What about getting a little too ahead with the recent success or overstepping one's bounds within the framework of the team?
"I feel fine out there," Besler said. "But, you do have to make sure your game is in check before you can start reading other peoples' games and helping out your teammates. I think once you start to work both of those things in, you become a pretty good player."
That's true, and if Besler keeps the game he has shown in check, the Wizards could be in for good things well past their current two-win streak.
Curtis Kitchen is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
