There's no question former University of Memphis soccer player Daniel Dobson has talent -- his 9 career goals, 12 assists, 30 career points and 4 game winning goals prove that -- but he may want to thank his left foot for the opportunity to play with a Major League Soccer team.
Being left-foot dominant doesn't mean much to the average person. However, to a professional soccer team it can mean quite a bit.
And for Dobson, an undrafted free agent, it may have played a role in a spot on the developmental team for the Kansas City Wizards of MLS.
"It actually is surprising to me," Dobson said. "I didn't think they valued it as much as they do."
Although the head coach of the Wizards, Bob Gansler, has had only a few chances to evaluate Dobson, he's been a coach long enough to know the value of a left-footed player.
"The good ones are rare," Gansler said. "On a good soccer team you need about three guys to play the wide left section."
However, Dobson isn't on the developmental roster solely because he doesn't kick a ball like almost 90 percent of the population. It's because he can play soccer better than 99 percent.
"He's actually good with both feet," said head coach Richie Grant. "Most of our American players tend to be good with both feet."
Dobson should also thank his parents for his date of birth. The soon-to-be 22-year-old, and Memphis graduate in May, finished his four years of eligibility and is entering MLS just as the league is about to have its first year of its reserve league.
The reserve games will give younger players on the developmental team a chance to acclimate themselves to the speed of professional soccer and hopefully impress a coach enough to get playing time in MLS games.
According to Gansler, the reserve league slowly made it's way on to the MLS scene, but it helps young players like Dobson.
"This is my seventh year and I know we were talking about it when I came in and that it's something that we need," Gansler said.
The reserve teams will play against the reserve teams of other MLS organizations, college teams in multiple divisions and A-League teams.Players on the developmental team practice with the major league team and can be activated to the 28-man roster anytime the team desires.
According to Ganlser, Dobson will likely spend the season on the developmental team to improve his game, but if Dobson builds upon first impressions he could move up.
"If he convinces us before the end of the year that he needs playing time with the first team he'll get that, but the likelihood of that happening is small," Gansler said. "He's a young man who's got the qualities. He's comfortable around the ball, he sees the game pretty well and he's versatile. I've seen indications that he'll come along just fine."
Dobson, a midfielder and defender at Memphis, should have plenty of time to hone his skills for a team that is returning 17 of their players. The Wizards lost to D.C. United 3-2 in the league final last year.
Being on an elite team allows Dobson to take his time, something Gansler is more than happy with.
"There have been people who have come in and they've set the world on fire and have fizzled," he said. "Then there are the others who come in a slower fashion and keep building on it. Daniel, I hope, belongs to the latter group."
To help with that progression, Dobson has utilized the help of the veteran members of the team.
"I was very surprised how well they actually helped all the younger players out as far as questions," said Dobson. "Like if we needed anything they were always there to help us."
Dobson is no stranger to improvement.
He played an important role in Memphis' rise from a 6-9-2 record in 2001 to an NCAA tournament birth last year.
"It's really a rags to riches story in Danny's four years," said Grant. "To not play in conference tournaments and then to go on to win the conference and not being recognized as a top player to coaches coming to me now saying, 'Who was that lad playing in the midfield for you?'
"He's a player that every coach had to make a plan to stop."
That commitment and skill allowed him to get his (left) foot in the professional soccer door.
