Edu happy to be back in midfield for the Union
Maurice Edu is in a hurry but doesn't want to rush things along. The Union's veteran designated player is eager to get back to the field, play a familiar position, and even strengthen his old place with the U.S. national team.
Maurice Edu is in a hurry but doesn't want to rush things along. The Union's veteran designated player is eager to get back to the field, play a familiar position, and even strengthen his old place with the U.S. national team.
As the Union held media day Thursday at Talen Energy Stadium (formerly PPL Park), Edu was the news of the day even though he has yet to take part in practices, which began this week.
Edu, who turns 30 in April and is beginning his third season with the Union, is recovering from sports hernia surgery and believes that he will be ready for the Union's Major League Soccer opener March 6 at FC Dallas.
A midfielder most of his career, he spent the majority of last season playing center back, a position he also played some during his first season.
Coach Jim Curtin said that Edu would be back in the midfield this year.
"He has done whatever we asked him but now we see him as the No. 6," Curtin said, referring to the controlling midfield spot.
The trade for the No. 2 overall MLS SuperDraft selection, Georgetown center back Joshua Yaro, is a major reason Edu is slated to return to the midfield.
Edu has never hidden his preference for playing the midfield.
"Where they feel I will be the biggest asset on the pitch, I am willing to play," Edu said.
But. . .
"Going back to midfield is great," he said.
Edu, who was a member of the 2010 World Cup squad, said that reports that he would have been in the U.S. national team's camp this month if healthy, were true.
He said that he began having discussions with U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann about his status in the summer.
"Since then he invited me to a few camps, but timing-wise it wasn't the best because of the injury," Edu said.
Edu, who wasn't a member of the 2014 World Cup team, is looking to get back into the picture.
"It's something that I always want to be part of and I feel I should be part of," he said. "To go that stretch of months when I wasn't a part of things, not in camp and not going to games was difficult. But I have to put my head down and keep working."
He said it is all about having success as a team, and if that happens, that is when individuals get recognized.
The Union are coming off a 10-17-7 season. To improve, the team will need Edu's leadership, and for now, that will come from the midfield.
@sjnard