When Demetrius Omphroy was selected by Toronto FC in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft back in January, the general consensus was that the 22 year old University of California, Berkeley product was ready to compete for minutes at right back in TFC’s new 4-3-3 tactical approach. That idea was reinforced by incoming Head Coach Aron Winter when he classified Omphroy as one of the defenders that really impressed him at the MLS Combine. Fast forward to the tail end of the 2011 season and Omphroy is now on a very different track, with the organization making a decision early in the year to move the personable and skilled California native from the back line to the front line.
“They actually didn't see me as a fullback when they brought me in. After a couple of games they said, 'You're a forward' and they pushed me up there. And I did well in a couple of games and they were like 'That's your right spot'. So I have been working towards that in practice and I'm going to keep going forward with that,” says Omphroy.
According to Omphroy, his move forward has been going very well and he is chomping at the bit to show the BMO Field faithful what he can bring to the TFC first team as an attacking threat.
“It's going really well. I feel that is my natural position, so I feel like I have stepped into a spot where I am used to playing and I have been doing really well at it. And hopefully I'm going to get a look before the end of the season.”
While he has only made a single appearance with the first team in 2011, Omphroy does not look at his rookie season as anything akin to a write off. Instead, he’s happy to be playing the position that he prefers and he is confident that the work he has put into the transition to forward in both training and reserve league matches will pay dividends in the future.
“They are looking long term here. You want to keep doing well and to keep working hard. And as long as you have a good work ethic, it will pay off in the end. They are looking towards next season now and hopefully I will be around for that and hopefully I will be able to contribute.”
Asked if the positional move is now permanent, Omphroy is quick to admit that while you can never answer that question with complete certainty in the world of professional soccer, he admits he would be very happy to make playing forward his long term career focus.
“I hope so. I love playing there. I will play anywhere on the field, but that's the position that I really want to play at.”
One interesting variable that comes with a positional switch is the perspective that a player’s former position gives them in terms of how they approach their new position. And Omphroy admits that his previous experience as a fullback is now serving him well now that he is the business of running at and beating defenders.
“Yeah, definitely. I can now kind of think as a fullback would in terms of their tendencies and then use that to my advantage. So that's what I like to do.”
Whether he gets his first team chance in one of Toronto’s remaining matches in 2011 or if he has to wait until the 2012 campaign, Omphroy is content that he is playing regularly at the right position for him and that he is developing under the watchful eye of the Toronto FC coaching staff.
“I get a lot of good feedback from them. They always give me pointers and stuff and it has become an even better relationship with us now that I'm playing regularly at a position that I feel solidified at. It's just kind of like - do your thing and keep doing what you have been doing. And everything has been going positive.”
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