Ideal Landing Spots in MLS for Brek Shea

Over the past year or so, MLS has seen many of its top talents that left to hone their craft overseas return home to play in the league that gave them their opportunity.With US National Team superstars Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley returning back to States to play their club ball, it is hard to imagine that others will not follow, particularly ones that desperately need to revive their careers.

Brek Shea fits the bill of former MLS superstar and USMNT standout that failed to establish himself in the English Premier League. After heading to Stoke City from FC Dallas for a transfer fee of $3.75M, the now 24-year old winger was unable to latch on.

Due to nagging injuries, a coaching change, and a loan to Barnsley, Shea has only made three appearances for Stoke City. If the powerful and pacey forward wants another shot at the international level, he will need to start from scratch and re-establish himself as a worthy talent.

August 18, 2012; Sandy, UT, USA; FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea (20) controls the ball during the second half against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. FC Dallas defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

There is no denying that the US will be looking for some improved wing play moving forward as opposed to what they got from Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya in this World Cup. With that said, is Shea can prove his worth over the next four years, he may be given another shot, but for that to happen, he needs to be on the field.

MLS can offer him that opportunity, but as happens with everything, there are some places that Shea could land that would be more beneficial than others. Here are five potential destinations that could really benefit from acquiring Brek Shea.

1. Montreal Impact

Montreal’s biggest problem thus far has been consistency. The Impact simply can’t sustain a level of plays. Early on in the season, they looked to be by far the worst team in the league. However, they have managed to concede just one goal in their previous three matches. Montreal currently still sit at the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference, but have closed the gap much and are just six points out of the playoff picture.

After sending Andrew Wenger to Philadelphia for forward Jack McInerney, Montreal became a whole lot more dangerous as a team. In ten starts for the Impact, McInerney has six goals. Prior to that, he had just one goal in four matches for the Union.

Justin Mapp has been a huge key to the success of this team, and more than likely, has been the most effective player on the field throughout the season. Whether he is being dangerous going to goal himself or delivering quality service into the box for the lurking McInerney, good things happen for Montreal when Mapp is on the ball more often than not.

With Mapp on the right side, the Impact get somewhat one-dimensional at times. Add Shea to the mix wide left and Montreal becomes a lot more dangerous. All three players can score, and Shea and Mapp have proven themselves enough to be effective serving balls into the box. We could see “Jack Mac”, the poacher, be even more effective than he’s been so far with another weapon to his left.

More from MLS

• Coming to America – a game-changer by the name of Lionel Messi
• Lionel Messi set to join MLS side Inter Miami
• Canadian MLS clubs split points in Matchweek 5
• Herrera aims to erase memories of injury-prone debut season
• Matchday 4 Canadian MLS recap

2. New York Red Bulls

New York doesn’t necessarily lack goal scoring options with Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips, the leading goal scorer in MLS, involved in the attack. However, they have lacked some consistency in the midfield, and Shea could offer just that. If Mike Petke would be willing to trot Shea out there as a bowed of confidence, the Red Bulls could be extremely dangerous come playoff time.

Although Henry and BWP are brilliant, they do most of their work up top and centrally. Adding another dynamic player in a wide position could not only be beneficial to Shea but open up more space for their workhorses.

Perhaps Shea could even learn from Henry and develop into more of a No.10, but who knows?

3. Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver is a young, up-and-coming team in the Western Conference. With Pedro Morales doing a masterful job facilitating in the final third, Erik Hurtado and Kakuta Manneh have been goal-dangerous throughout different points in the season. Vancouver is currently in the playoff picture, but with an addition like Shea, they could cement their place as one of the top teams in MLS.

Hurtado, Manneh, and even Darren Mattocks rely heavily on their pace and still need time to develop. As long as that is the case, Vancouver’s attack is somewhat one-dimensional, and opposing teams have realized that if they can keep the Whitecaps from getting out on the break, they likely won’t be nearly as dangerous.

Adding Shea could make Vancouver a little more unpredictable when they attempt to attack via build-up play. With his ability to create chances, take defenders on, and even aid in possession, Morales could be even more effective as a playmaker, ultimately leading to more goals and better results for the Whitecaps.

4. Columbus Crew

Columbus simply lacks goal scorers. Jairo Arrieta is not the same player that he was in his first MLS season. Since Gregg Berhalter took over as head coach and sporting director, the Crew have done a good job of dominating possession and creating chances. Unfortunately for them, nobody has been able to find the back of the net consistently, and as a result, Columbus has given away many opportunities to get three points.

Wil Trapp has established him as one of the brightest young talents in MLS, or the United States for that matter. His ability to cut out passes defensively and quickly distribute out to the channels would make Shea’s job a lot simpler. If Shea landed in Columbus, Berhalter would look to him to get forward and finish the chances that his system creates in the run of play.

Shea loves to get forward, and with Trapp behind him in the holding midfield role, the Crew would want him to do so. If that isn’t a good fit, then I’m not sure what is.

5. Orlando City

Last but not least, Orlando could potentially be the best destination for the left-footed winger. After training with the side from late May into early June while Stoke City was off and the national team was in Brazil, the two parties grew fond of each other.

In an interview with MLSsoccer.com’s JC Carnahan, Orlando City coach Adrian Heath had this to say:

"“I can’t hide the fact that I’ve enjoyed working with him and seeing him close up. You can look at players from afar but you really only get to know what they’re like when you see them this close up.The one thing that’s very apparent is the size and the power and the pace… It gives us an idea of what some of the players are like at the next level….”"

If Shea were to land in Orlando, he would have the opportunity to potentially be the face of the team, and while pressure isn’t always the greatest thing, if he succeeds as the featured player, it will be all that more impressive.

If Shea decides to follow in the footsteps of Bradley, Dempsey, and company, there will be much less pressure to perform than at Stoke City, but if he plays well, fans will embrace him. In addition, he will be right in Jurgen Klinsmann‘s backyard in terms of selecting players for the national team by being in MLS.