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Benny Feilhaber Finds Lessons Push Progress
The USA midfielder hit a rocky road after a memorable goal to win the 2007 Gold Cup, but he managed to return in to take part in the reward for the win - the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Sep 2, 2009 1:51:39 AM
Many players would rather forget completely about their injury-afflicted periods, but USA midfielder Benny Fielhaber saw positives come out of the experience.
"I definitely learned a lot," said Feilhaber in a US Soccer interview released on the organization's website. "You have to take a look back at how much you enjoy playing football and how short the career can be. So I think you take things more seriously when you are finally back and healthy and playing."
During his injury struggle, Feilhaber played little for Derby in England. He appeared in a few games for the USA in the 2008 Olympics, but didn't otherwise participate in international games.
"I think my six month process of getting back to fitness helped me to become mentally stronger and I think I matured a lot as a player and as a person as well," Feilhaber said.
Part of the progress that his reflections triggered had to do with facing his shortcomings. "One thing that I lacked a little bit was always the mental toughness part of the game," Feilhaber acknowledged. "I took the things I could do well for granted. I tried to rely on those things and not work as hard on the things that I was weak at."
Rehabilitation was a struggle that pushed Feilhaber out of his comfort zone. "The process of the rehab was real intense and tough and not only was it physically tiring, but you had to be mentally prepared to be doing all of those things day in day out," Feilhaber said. "Just from that you kind of learn to be mentally tougher."
The Brazilian-born midfielder, who moved to the US at the age of six, said that the hard work to get healthy had an affect on this play.
"In games now when I’m getting more tired or when I think maybe that I can’t go another five or ten minutes, I tend to be able to dig in a little bit deeper and do the things the team needs me to do even if it’s not my favorite part of the game," said Feilhaber. "I’ve definitely grown."
The development in Feilhaber's game may be what propelled him back to the national team scene. "Obviously when you first start playing again you just want to focus on what you’re doing with your club, but it’s always great playing with the national team," said Feilhaber.
Though he only got occasional playing time at the Confederations Cup, Feilhaber was very pleased to be involved, as it propelled him forward when he moved teams, going from Derby to AGF Arhus in Denmark.
"The summer that I had with the national team gave me a real good starting point for my season with my club team," said Feilhaber.
Lately, Feilhaber has seen more regular playing time with his club, but he is willing to bide his time with the national team, proving himself in any needed role.
"There’s going to be games where I’m coming off the bench and being a player that has to either spark the team into producing offensive plays or to help the team defensively," said Feilhaber. "There’s going to be games where I start from the beginning and have to put in the hard work that comes with it."
Goal.com
"I definitely learned a lot," said Feilhaber in a US Soccer interview released on the organization's website. "You have to take a look back at how much you enjoy playing football and how short the career can be. So I think you take things more seriously when you are finally back and healthy and playing."
During his injury struggle, Feilhaber played little for Derby in England. He appeared in a few games for the USA in the 2008 Olympics, but didn't otherwise participate in international games.
"I think my six month process of getting back to fitness helped me to become mentally stronger and I think I matured a lot as a player and as a person as well," Feilhaber said.
Part of the progress that his reflections triggered had to do with facing his shortcomings. "One thing that I lacked a little bit was always the mental toughness part of the game," Feilhaber acknowledged. "I took the things I could do well for granted. I tried to rely on those things and not work as hard on the things that I was weak at."
Rehabilitation was a struggle that pushed Feilhaber out of his comfort zone. "The process of the rehab was real intense and tough and not only was it physically tiring, but you had to be mentally prepared to be doing all of those things day in day out," Feilhaber said. "Just from that you kind of learn to be mentally tougher."
The Brazilian-born midfielder, who moved to the US at the age of six, said that the hard work to get healthy had an affect on this play.
"In games now when I’m getting more tired or when I think maybe that I can’t go another five or ten minutes, I tend to be able to dig in a little bit deeper and do the things the team needs me to do even if it’s not my favorite part of the game," said Feilhaber. "I’ve definitely grown."
The development in Feilhaber's game may be what propelled him back to the national team scene. "Obviously when you first start playing again you just want to focus on what you’re doing with your club, but it’s always great playing with the national team," said Feilhaber.
Though he only got occasional playing time at the Confederations Cup, Feilhaber was very pleased to be involved, as it propelled him forward when he moved teams, going from Derby to AGF Arhus in Denmark.
"The summer that I had with the national team gave me a real good starting point for my season with my club team," said Feilhaber.
Lately, Feilhaber has seen more regular playing time with his club, but he is willing to bide his time with the national team, proving himself in any needed role.
"There’s going to be games where I’m coming off the bench and being a player that has to either spark the team into producing offensive plays or to help the team defensively," said Feilhaber. "There’s going to be games where I start from the beginning and have to put in the hard work that comes with it."
Goal.com
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