The Angle Training Report: Justin Davis Reacts to MLS Debut by Jeff Rueter on 10 March 2017

Woodbury, Minn. � The result hardly came up roses for Minnesota United in its inaugural MLS match this past weekend. Portland ended up beating the expansion side 5-1. However, Justin Davis was able to make his MLS debut in the Rose City.

There’s a different level�of confidence around Justin Davis than there had been at this time last year.

Now in his seventh year with the organization, the veteran left back has seen a lot. From winning a title with the Stars to fighting in the NASL Soccer Bowl Playoffs, Davis had done his time in the second division. He was successful, earning three NASL Best XI nods, but in interviews he seemed ready to for a new challenge.

In that way, last Friday’s debut was a nice change of pace. And, to his credit, Davis feels that he held his own.

How can�Davis and Minnesota be able to bounce back from an opening defeat?�Check the tape in our weekly Rewind That column.

“It�s tough to draw positives from a result like that, but it is what it is,” the Loons’ vice-captain reflected at the team’s training on Wednesday. “There�s stuff I want to get better with, but I didn�t feel overmatched out there. Portland has a pretty good attacking lineup so I was able to do pretty well against [Sebasti�n] Blanco. He had one assist, but I thought I did pretty well. I felt comfortable on the ball.”

“Defensively, I�ve got to get a little sharper. Attackers will take advantage of that, which is a difference from the NASL.”

Specifically, Davis’ last comments were in reaction to a headed backpass in the 30th minute. When asked about the play, Davis instantly remembers it well. “Should probably avoid making those�in the future,” he deadpaned. Beyond that, Davis saw a few other differences in�his first MLS action.

“Portland has one of the best atmospheres in the league. When the whistle blows, it�s just another game. I feel like I connected well with passes. I wasn�t overwhelmed, which was a positive to take away.”

Hit the ground running

Known for his well-executed sliding tackles, Davis was able to keep Designated Player Blanco at bay for most of last Friday’s match. He’ll need to stay sharp as the season progresses, as there is plenty of talent among MLS right wingers. The Loons’ next few opponents roster�the likes of, in order, Hector Villalba, Shk�lzen Gashi, and Juan Agudelo.

And its Davis that will likely be tasked with marking�these talented attackers. At this point, he’s up for the challenge.

“I�ve learned that you�re typically going against some of their top players if you�re a left back,” Davis�asserted. “It seems like the big-named players like to play wide right. If it�s gonna be Blanco, the guys from Atlanta, I�ve just gotta get used to it. It�s gonna happen every week; I�ve got my hands full.”

The only NASL holdover to crack the starting XI against Portland, Davis looks poised to see further action in the coming weeks. As Minnesota looks to get its first result in the league, Davis’ consistency�will be a major influence on the results.

Training notes

J�r�me Thiesson joined the team in Minnesota on Thursday, giving the Loons another option at right back.

Bobby Shuttleworth, acquired from New England in a February trade, was in training for the first time on Wednesday.

No players are on the club’s injury report, save for winger Bernardo A�or.

Yo Adrian!

On what Sunday’s MLS home debut means in Minnesota soccer history: “I know this is a growing sport, but for the people that are already entrenched in this game, I know how much this game will mean for them on Sunday. People like Buzz Lagos who�s been carrying the baton for thirty or forty years. This weekend will be an incredibly proud day for him, no doubt. At times, he must�ve thought that the candle was close to flickering out, and now it�ll be burning brighter than it�s ever been. Come this weekend, it could be 30,000 people watching an MLS team in Minnesota. There�s a responsibility to succeed there.”

On if TCF Bank Stadium’s narrow pitch (70 yards wide) will affect his lineup: “It can obviously change. If you play with wingers, the narrower the field is the easier it is to defend. That might be one little issue. We have to put that negativity about the field and play. We go in there on Friday and it�ll be our first time there. “

On what he saw in his first pass through Atlanta’s debut:�“They started very quick. Pace comes through the middle. When I was down in South America, locals referred to Miguel Alm�ron�at the time as the �best young player in Argentina.� I know he isn�t Argentinian, but to be the best young player in Argentina tells you something. The kid�s got real talent.”

On if he’d ever consider�running out a three- or five-man backline:�“Yes, I�ve played it before briefly at Burnley. It made me laugh � somewhere I was reading that somebody said that Antonio Conte had come up with an incredible new system with the 3-4-3. I played it in Burnley with my first job. It�s been around a long time. You look at the success you can have with a club like Chelsea, they had that huge defeat at Arsenal and tightened it up. Would I use it? Yes I would. Do I intend to use it? As of this moment, no. I wouldn�t never say that I�d never play a certain system if it�s the best way to get a result.”

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Tags: Adrian Heath, Justin Davis, Minnesota United FC, MLS, Training Report