Davis’ Discussions: The Maturation Of Marvell Wynne

By Noah Davis 

Marvell Wynne won't stop learning.  

After the Pennsylvania-born, California-bred player left UCLA a year early to pursue a career in Major League Soccer -- he would become the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft -- the five foot, nine inch defender knew he needed to improve his positioning on the field. If he didn't, one of his greatest strengths -- the ability to use his lightning quick speed to make scintillating runs up the wing -- would become a weakness as opposing teams counterattacked to exploit his advanced position. 

So Wynne, who claims to be his "toughest critic," set about learning the art of being a right back with an offensive mindset. The education began in his first season as a member of the New York Red Bulls but flourished once he moved to Toronto FC. The team's home, BMO Field, has cameras positioned throughout the stadium and these allow coaches and players to evaluate movement on both an individual and team level.   

"We have some new technology in the dressing room," Wynne says. "It plays out for us where the ball is and how our movement is as a backline and as a whole team." 

The attention to positioning has paid off. Wynne, who turns 23 next week, started all 24 games for TFC last season and was named the team's top defender. He's played every single minute this season, helping Toronto grab the top spot in the Eastern Conference.  

While his defensive positioning has improved over the past three years, he hasn't forgotten how to get into the attack. This past weekend, he registered his first assist in Toronto's 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards.  

If Wynne can continue learning to pick and choose when to make his runs forward, his athletic style of play would seem to be a perfect fit for the style favored by United States national team coach Bob Bradley. The American squad derives much of its offense from crosses put in from the wings by overlapping fullbacks. (See: Frankie Hejduk's pinpoint ball to Jozy Altidore that opened the scoring against El Salvador.) With Steve Cherundolo recovering from surgery and Hejduk turning 35, the TFC defender -- who made his senior team debut in a 4-1 loss to Argentina in 2007 -- could serve as a backup at this summer's Confederations Cup in South Africa.

While Wynne believes his style could fit in nicely into the U.S. system, he's aware how his inexperience could alter his game.  

"If I were to go up there and start for the national team, I would be a bit nervous and be a bit hesitant in terms of going forward because I don't know how the players around me move," he says.

Then again, "If they tell me to bomb one, I'm there," he admits with a laugh. 

Although Wynne grew up idolizing Eddie Pope and has tried to emulate his game, he's grown to admire the game of another American flank defender. 

"I'm a fan of Cherundolo's," the 22-year-old says. "He's rather sweet with the ball. Good vision, great feet." 

Although he's been in a couple camps with the Hannover 96 defender, Wynne prefers to learn from a distance.  

"To be honest, I don't really pick his brain," he says. "I try to watch. To do the whole monkey see, monkey do thing." 

Always watching, always learning. 

One thing the defender doesn't want to know, however, is about any interest from clubs in Europe. 

"To be honest, I don't want to hear about it if there has been [any interest]," he says. "I'd rather just focus on Toronto. If I do the best that I can here, it will catch the attention of Bob Bradley, and once I'm there, maybe I can get a start. Of course, national team games are noticed by all." 

Wynne has asked his more experienced TFC teammates where they could see him moving next.  

"Talking to Danny Dichio and Carl Robinson [both who hail from the United Kingdom], they would like me in the Premier League," he says. "They say it's a physical, fast league and I would fit in there. The French league is for the most fit. The way I play would go well there. Germany as well. I wouldn't mind going to any of them." 

"I always say that soccer is played all around the world, so why not go see it while I can," he adds. 

But for now, Wynne is happy to remain at TFC, refining his technique and soaking up knowledge.  

The education of Marvell Wynne will continue. Pretty soon, it might be time for a semester abroad in South Africa.  

Noah Davis covers the United States national team for Goal.com.