TUCSON, Ariz. – Sometimes a player’s role within a team is defined by not having a specific role.
Steve Neumann, entering his second year with the New England Revolution after a largely successful rookie campaign, has established himself as a versatile option for head coach Jay Heaps.
An attack-minded player by nature, Neumann has been deployed on both wings and as an attacking midfielder with the Revolution, but more recently he’s shown his range by playing a deeper-lying midfield role, tucked in behind the front four and just ahead of the backline.
“I think it’s good to have that kind of versatility to show the coaching staff that I can play a number of positions and fill a number of roles on the field,” Neumann said. “I’m happy where I’m at right now and I’ve just got to keep working throughout the year to try to prove myself.”
“He doesn’t have an exact position – we move him around a little bit – and I think that’s been really good for him to be so versatile,” Heaps said of the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s SuperDraft. “I like having a guy that can slide into any one of three midfield roles or winger roles.”
Heaps had enough faith in Neumann to hand him 23 appearances as a rookie – 20 off the bench – and was impressed with the Georgetown product’s intelligence and chance creation.
The next step in Neumann’s evolution, Heaps said, is to add a bit more steel to his game, which could prove vital if he continues to see time as a central midfielder.
“This year we want a little bit more bite from him,” Heaps said. “I think he’s shown that. I think he’s really starting to mix it up.”
That constant evolution is the goal for Neumann, who believes it can only benefit both himself and the Revs if he continues to add new dimensions to his game.
“I grew up playing a deeper midfield role and then in college I was more forward, so I’m kind of used to both roles,” Neumann said. “I had to brush up on a few things playing a little deeper this preseason, but I like that part of my game. I like trying to add different aspects to my game that can benefit me now and down the road.”
Neumann is a student of the game and adapted his approach last year to fit into a substitute’s role. This year, whether he’s seeing time off the bench or as a starter, he’s hoping for similar success.
“I learned throughout [last] year to watch what was going on during the game and just pick out spots where I could be effective,” he said. “I think I did that on a few occasions last year. I’m definitely looking to do that again this year and even contribute with a bunch of starts. I’m really looking forward to this year.”
