It’s basically gospel at this point that John Brooks is the best central defender in the USMNT pool. He’s often out injured, but when available he’s the best we’ve got. I’m not arguing this, but when was the last time you actually watched him play?

If you’re anything like me watching Wolfsburg is down the list a little bit in terms of viewing options on the weekend. BVB, RB Leipzig, Schalke, Chelsea, Derby County, and even *shudders* Werder Bremen tend to be my preferred entertainment. That may change in a big way if Uly breaks through, but for now they certainly aren’t my first choice.

That being the case, I wanted to check in on our star defender and see how he’s looking these days. Especially since he’s recently worked his way out of Oliver Glasner’s doghouse and is back to starting every weekend.

As usual, I watched two games very carefully. As much as possible I focused solely on Brooks to see what I could glean from the performances. I don’t pretend to be a Wolfsburg expert and I know that more games would be better. Given all those caveats…here’s what I think Brooks is doing well and what maybe he could improve upon:

Games Watched:

2-2 draw at Union Berlin and a 2-3 win at Hoffenheim

Strengths

Long Diagonals and Composure

The man can hit this ball. The first gif below is less than 10 seconds into the first game I watched. In both games Wolfsburg started the match by playing back to Brooks for him to hit a ball to a teammate running up the wing. He does so quite accurately.

Long diagonal immediately after kick off. Oh yeah. I kinda forgot how good he is at this.

I don’t say this to be critical of Jackson Yueill, but if you compare the trajectory of Yueill’s (kind of balloon-like, hanging) diagonals to Brooks’ there’s really no comparison. Brooks hits a much flatter, faster ball that gives defenders less time to rotate over. This gives the attacking player just slightly more time. These moments matter.

Dude can hit a pass. Look at that trajectory.

Wow. Wolfsburg didn’t score off this, but it created all kinds of trouble for Hoffenheim.

His line splitting passes are nothing to get too excited about, but they do exist. He’s not Dayot Upamecano or David Luiz, but he’ll carry the ball forward and play the ball to an attacker between the lines. Center backs that can do that are in short supply for the USMNT. It’s basically Brooks, Ream, and hope for someone to develop.

Carries the ball forward and plays a ball into the feet of an attacker between the lines

Comfortable under pressure here. Turns and plays a progressive pass that cuts out three defenders.

I like it when defenders follow their momentum forward. It’s a little like an offensive lineman being an eligible receiver. Defenders aren’t exactly sure what to do with them.

Rim Protecting

Go-go Gadget Legs

You don’t want your center trying to check the opponent’s point guard. In the same way you don’t want Brooks matched up 1v1 with a winger. However, if you let him patrol the central defensive third, cut out passes, and win balls then Brooks is quite effective. He reads the game well, is in good positions, and has some go-go Gadget Legs that can get to balls that didn’t seem possible.

Good positioning and reaction. Long leg pokes the ball out.

When he stays “in the paint” he’s quite good. Hangs out centrally and cleans up.

Power

John Brooks is a full grown man. He is 6’4″, 180lbs and he hits the ball like it. When he passes the ball, he strikes it sweetly. If you look at the diagonals above you can see how hard those passes have been struck. It even sounds nice.

Another place this strength shows up is with his headers. When Brooks clears a ball with his head it goes. I’m not sure what the difference is, but he can get them out near midfield. In the clip below, Brooks actually started a dangerous counter off a Union Berlin cross into the box.

He puts a lot of power behind his headers. Watch how far this thing goes to start a counter.

Room to Improve

Agility

I really only noticed one area of concern while watching Brooks in these games, but it showed up several times. He’s a little battleship-y. Once he gets going in one direction he tends to stay going in that direction (thanks Newton). This leads to him having a hard time in 1v1 defending. Here’s some (ok, a lot) of video evidence:

Here he steps to try to win the ball, misses, and then keeps going for a few yards. He’s now way out of this play.

Defenders get beat, but again Brooks’ lack of agility shows as the attacker gets off the cross to assist on Hoffenheim’s goal.

If you can get Brooks going one way…he doesn’t change direction quickly. Inertia and all that.

Brooks pops out of defense to pressure the man on the ball, but the ball runs through to another player. Look how far behind Kramaric (#27) Brooks ends up.

One v one defending ain’t exactly his bag. Gets megged and fouls a guy here.

Summary

Brooks is not a perfect defender. He isn’t a modern line splitting, carry it out of the back center back that can still lock guys up one on one. Unfortunately, France apparently has all of those. He’s still the best defender we’ve got for Berhalter’s system. It’s important that he be paired with an athletic Aaron Long, Miles Robinson type that can cover for him, but he can create some important offensive advantages for the USMNT out of the back while still being a very good defender in his own way.

Tim Ream can do some of what he does, but not all and not as well. For the US to be its best it needs a healthy, in form Brooks manning the back line. Let’s hope he can shake off his injury prone history and put together a healthy season or two. As Bill Parcells famously said, “The best ability is availability.”

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