Is Brek Shea Surrendering to the Hype?

Friday was a strange day in the FC Dallas camp as Brek Shea was absent from practice.  It came a couple days after Shea was substituted in the 64th minute and sent animated words toward head coach Schellas Hyndman.  Shea has been injured, suspended, and seen a changing role so perhaps the action were simply waiting for a tipping point.  Regardless, it is quite the turn from the break out year of 2011 for Break Shea.

After the match on Wednesday, Shea did not speak to reporters and his coach was clear with his words.  Hyndman said,

"I don’t really think that he needs to vent his frustrations on his performance or my subbing him because I think he’s in enough hot water already.Jul 7, 2012; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea (20) reactsagainst the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at FC Dallas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE"

Dallas player-assistant coach Daniel Hernandez was even more clear telling ESPN,

"I thought [Shea] was very disrespectful, not only just to Schellas, but I thought to the rest of the team.  He’s a young guy still, but this shows the immaturity there in him, and I think a lack of professionalism that right now, at this point in the season, the way things have been going for us, we can’t have."

With one win in the last fifteen and the lowest total of victories in the league, some of the frustration is warranted.  However, Shea is a major reason why the team is faltering with only three goals on 39 shots.  He has not recorded an assist on the year.  Perhaps the day away from a half hour practice in 100 degree temperatures and pouring down rain will give the once rising star a new perspective.

Shea will be a game time decision prior to the match against Portland tomorrow, but Hyndman stated he will be available for the match.  Shea has shown the inability to control his emotions and focus on the task at hand lately, but the coach was willing to give him a breather from the rigors or pre-match training in hopes that he could find the mental side of his game.  Hyndman continues,

"We haven’t talked, I think enough was said at that time so what I wanted to do, and I think sometimes when you get into a verbal confrontation, it takes two to have a verbal confrontation and I understand the frustrations he’s going through and I didn’t want to get into a situation where I’m coming across discipline oriented and scolding him like you would a boy. What I wanted to do was give a little bit of time and space but I also believe in the philosophy that silence can be the loudest noise in the world. Nobody knows what you’re thinking, so it’s like you figure things out then we’ll get together."

It is obviously that the mental side of the game is missing for Shea.  He was the focus of possible high value transfers after rising to a starting role on the USMNT and a training stint with Arsenal. Now his confidence is gone and his actions suggest he is over thinking everything.  The outburst directed at his coach went toward the wrong person, but unfortunately there is always a target.  One can only hope that his day off allowed him to look in the mirror.

Remember that his struggles in Major League Soccer this season have carried over from his last stints with the National Team and the U-23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics.  Coaches Jurgen Klinsmann and Caleb Porter tried to find ways to get Shea loose: switching side, letting him take early runs, asking him to carry the ball and find a good service to the box.  Perhaps the failure in the Olympic qualifying tournament is still weighing on Shea.  He was left off the roster for May and June National Team matches perhaps in part due to the suspension he received from kicking a ball at an assistant referee.

These actions are not easy to forget while Shea’s play has been completely forgettable.  He has a sound contract with Dallas that needs to win out to have any chance of the playoffs.  It is entirely too early to give up on the Texan with flare and bright shoes.  Honestly, this is still an episode that some may consider a slump.  Perhaps this season is a lost cause, but he should be given the opportunity to rebound.  There could be some major changes in Dallas should the team continue to falter, but Shea will not be one.

This is not the time for drastic measures by FC Dallas.  The team and coach must do their best to calm the emotions for the rest of the season and allow the off-season to mend wounds.  For U.S. soccer and FC Dallas fans , they hope this is a year that can be looked back on as a anomaly.

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