Burling excited to join Earthquakes
Defender hopes for strong finish to injury-marred season
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A quick glance to the sideline, and Burling could espy the visage of head coach Frank Yallop, who while manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy back in 2007, drafted Burling out of Loyola Marymount University. When Burling was released later that preseason and signed by Chivas USA, his teammate and mentor was none other than current Quakes defender Jason Hernandez.
But the biggest reason for Burling to have flashbacks to 2007 was the fact that after nearly three seasons with Chivas, the product of Monument, Colo., is in the position of having to prove himself all over again. Yet after enduring an injury plagued first half of 2009, even that prospect has its positives.
"It's like anything else. You come in, you work hard, and you earn your spot," said Burling, who drove up from Los Angeles on Sunday to attend Monday's practice. "There's a lot of good competition. ... But it feels good to get a fresh start."
Heading into the current campaign, Burling had every reason to think he had established himself. In 2008, he was a steady presence in the Chivas backline, appearing in 20 matches, 18 of them starts. When he underwent offseason ankle surgery, it was done with the idea of solidifying his spot while playing pain free. But while the operation was successful, a nagging groin injury hindered Burling's recovery, and he ultimately had to undergo an additional surgery as well.
"It was kind of a double-whammy," said Burling of the two operations. "The groin was something that was bothering me for a while, but it never showed up on MRIs. I had a series of MRIs -- three of them -- and then finally in Philadelphia, a specific machine showed I had two torn muscles in there.
"I don't know how it took so long to figure out. It would have been nice to get that done in the offseason as well. It's just something that happens. It was unfortunate, the timing of it. It was right at the beginning of the year. I lost my feet and I lost my starting position."
The result was a lengthy spell on the sidelines that lasted well into July. And with no reserve division, Burling found it difficult to get game sharp and reclaim his spot in the lineup.
Burling eventually recovered to make three appearances and one start, but the acquisition of defender Yamith Cuesta, as well as the emergence of Jonathan Bornstein as a viable option at center back saw Burling slide down the depth chart, making him available to the Quakes.
Yallop was certainly pleased to be able to obtain his former charge. The Quakes defense has been plagued by injury and poor form for almost the entire season, and the San Jose manager sees Burling as someone who can help the team achieve some semblance of consistency in the back.
"I think [Burling] is comfortable on the ball, he reads the game pretty well," said Yallop. "He just does all of the things that you like in a defender. Confidence is everything. It's about getting to play and getting used to your teammates. We'll hopefully get that out of him.
With only eight games left in the regular season, there isn't much time for Burling to make an impression, but he feels that playing for a manager he knows, as well as his return to health will put him in good position to crack the lineup.
"Frank gave me my first opportunity in the league, so it is nice to be reunited with him," said Burling. "[San Jose] showed the interest ... and I'm looking forward to finishing this season strong and then building into next season."
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
