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Davis' Discussions: Wally's World
In the latest 'Davis' Discussions,' Goal.com's Noah Davis talks about promising FC Dallas defender Anthony Wallace.
May 8, 2009 4:32:14 PM
By Noah Davis
Anthony and Altidore. Has a nice ring to it, yes?
Anthony Wallace, FC Dallas' 20-year-old defender, thinks so. "Wally," as his teammates know him and which is how FCD's PR man Tony Nicholson introduces his charge during a phone interview, played with Jozy Altidore during the United States' run to the quarterfinals at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and remains close with the American striker.
"We talk all the time," Wallace says. "He's frustrated [by his lack of playing time], but having fun."
At some point in the future, the product of the United States soccer academy in Bradenton, Florida who drew interest from Everton after training with the club during its 2006 trip to Texas, would like to follow his former teammate abroad. (Wallace turned down the English club's offer because he wanted to "try college." He attended University of South Florida for a year before signing a Generation adidas contract.)
"I could see myself in Spain," he admits.
But before he can move across the pond, he needs to find the field at Dallas.
Although FCD's porous defense has conceded a league-high 14 goals in just seven matches and the squad sits in last place in the Western Conference on a mere four points, Wally hasn't played a minute yet this season, just a year after starting four games for the club.
He believes his moment could be coming, however.
"I've been training hard day in and day out," Wallace says. "[I'm] trying to push myself and get some minutes."
His hard work is paying off, as the defender who admires the professionalism of teammate Drew Moor, notes that his coaches have been more complimentary of his play in the past few weeks.
One difficulty for Wallace -- and many of the MLS's younger players -- is the abolishment of reserve sides throughout the league.
"[Last year], if you weren't playing the first team games, at least you had the reserve games to keep you sharp," he says. "This year, it's all about keeping that sharpness during practice," a much more difficult task.
Wallace has enjoyed the presence of other young teammates at FCD. Peri Marosevic, Brek Shea, and newly arrived Kyle Davies are all 20, while Blake Wagner, Dax McCarty, and Eric Avila are just a year or two older.
"We're pretty much always together," Wallace says in a way that makes you think there's a good chance his mates are in the room with him, mocking his answers he says into the phone.
On his team and around the league, younger players are finding playing time, yet the defender has struggled to break into the game day 18, much less the starting XI. He admits the difficulty of the situation, but also expresses patience beyond his years.
"It's frustrating sometimes, but I also think that my minutes will come," Wallace says, adding, " If I come in, I'll be able to contribute to the team."
When those minutes do come -- rest assured, they will -- one would assume calls from clubs in Europe would follow. The player doesn't know of any specific offers, but will grant, "My name is out there."
You have to think Jozy might be helping spread his friend's name around. Anthony and Altidore, together again.
Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.
Anthony and Altidore. Has a nice ring to it, yes?
Anthony Wallace, FC Dallas' 20-year-old defender, thinks so. "Wally," as his teammates know him and which is how FCD's PR man Tony Nicholson introduces his charge during a phone interview, played with Jozy Altidore during the United States' run to the quarterfinals at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and remains close with the American striker.
"We talk all the time," Wallace says. "He's frustrated [by his lack of playing time], but having fun."
At some point in the future, the product of the United States soccer academy in Bradenton, Florida who drew interest from Everton after training with the club during its 2006 trip to Texas, would like to follow his former teammate abroad. (Wallace turned down the English club's offer because he wanted to "try college." He attended University of South Florida for a year before signing a Generation adidas contract.)
"I could see myself in Spain," he admits.
But before he can move across the pond, he needs to find the field at Dallas.
Although FCD's porous defense has conceded a league-high 14 goals in just seven matches and the squad sits in last place in the Western Conference on a mere four points, Wally hasn't played a minute yet this season, just a year after starting four games for the club.
He believes his moment could be coming, however.
"I've been training hard day in and day out," Wallace says. "[I'm] trying to push myself and get some minutes."
His hard work is paying off, as the defender who admires the professionalism of teammate Drew Moor, notes that his coaches have been more complimentary of his play in the past few weeks.
One difficulty for Wallace -- and many of the MLS's younger players -- is the abolishment of reserve sides throughout the league.
"[Last year], if you weren't playing the first team games, at least you had the reserve games to keep you sharp," he says. "This year, it's all about keeping that sharpness during practice," a much more difficult task.
Wallace has enjoyed the presence of other young teammates at FCD. Peri Marosevic, Brek Shea, and newly arrived Kyle Davies are all 20, while Blake Wagner, Dax McCarty, and Eric Avila are just a year or two older.
"We're pretty much always together," Wallace says in a way that makes you think there's a good chance his mates are in the room with him, mocking his answers he says into the phone.
On his team and around the league, younger players are finding playing time, yet the defender has struggled to break into the game day 18, much less the starting XI. He admits the difficulty of the situation, but also expresses patience beyond his years.
"It's frustrating sometimes, but I also think that my minutes will come," Wallace says, adding, " If I come in, I'll be able to contribute to the team."
When those minutes do come -- rest assured, they will -- one would assume calls from clubs in Europe would follow. The player doesn't know of any specific offers, but will grant, "My name is out there."
You have to think Jozy might be helping spread his friend's name around. Anthony and Altidore, together again.
Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.
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