Mapp looks for fresh start
February, 17, 2010
2/17/10
11:53
PM CT
By CHARLIE CORR | ESPNChicago.com
You know how your work day tends to move along the busier you are? Considering Chicago Fire midfielder Justin Mapp spent a large part of the 2009 MLS season on the bench, it must have felt like an eternity.
"It was a tough year," Mapp said. "It was not an ideal year for me, but you just try and stay positive and stay as fit as you can because you never know what's going to happen. It's all in my hands."
Mapp hopes to bounce back from a campaign that included a goal, three assists and 11 starts in 21 games played. It's a far cry following his eight assists and 30 games played in 2008. Mapp and goalkeeper Jon Busch were the only players from the 2008 Fire team to see the pitch in every game.
On Monday, Mapp got the start during the Fire's 1-0 preseason victory over the Arizona Sahuaros in Phoenix. He was replaced by Baggio Husidic in the 65th minute.
The Fire utilized a 4-1-4-1 formation, and while there probably will be some other variations in new head coach Carlos de los Cobos' approach, Mapp does like the possibilities in this particular setup.
"I played at left-center [midfield], but you have the freedom to move inside and outside," Mapp said. "We'll see how it goes. I like the formation. But I'm really just trying to be on the field."
The formation does play into the strengths of Mapp's and Marco Pappa's left feet.
"Marco is incredibly talented both on the left and the right, and [the formation] can cause the opposing defense some problems with our position of attacking," Mapp said.
A few folks within the Fire organization have been satisfied with Mapp's play during preseason training. It's a new year, new system and new head coach at the helm, and for Mapp, maybe these changes are welcome following a difficult 2009 season.
"I've been impressed with Carlos and our practices have been very upbeat," Mapp said. "It's always hard adjusting to a new coach, but we're trying to learn the system and we've put in two weeks of hard work."
Next up: The Fire are headed to Guadalajara, Mexico, for the second leg of their preseason. They depart Sunday and will train from Feb. 22 through March 4.
"It was a tough year," Mapp said. "It was not an ideal year for me, but you just try and stay positive and stay as fit as you can because you never know what's going to happen. It's all in my hands."
Mapp hopes to bounce back from a campaign that included a goal, three assists and 11 starts in 21 games played. It's a far cry following his eight assists and 30 games played in 2008. Mapp and goalkeeper Jon Busch were the only players from the 2008 Fire team to see the pitch in every game.
On Monday, Mapp got the start during the Fire's 1-0 preseason victory over the Arizona Sahuaros in Phoenix. He was replaced by Baggio Husidic in the 65th minute.
The Fire utilized a 4-1-4-1 formation, and while there probably will be some other variations in new head coach Carlos de los Cobos' approach, Mapp does like the possibilities in this particular setup.
"I played at left-center [midfield], but you have the freedom to move inside and outside," Mapp said. "We'll see how it goes. I like the formation. But I'm really just trying to be on the field."
The formation does play into the strengths of Mapp's and Marco Pappa's left feet.
"Marco is incredibly talented both on the left and the right, and [the formation] can cause the opposing defense some problems with our position of attacking," Mapp said.
A few folks within the Fire organization have been satisfied with Mapp's play during preseason training. It's a new year, new system and new head coach at the helm, and for Mapp, maybe these changes are welcome following a difficult 2009 season.
"I've been impressed with Carlos and our practices have been very upbeat," Mapp said. "It's always hard adjusting to a new coach, but we're trying to learn the system and we've put in two weeks of hard work."
Next up: The Fire are headed to Guadalajara, Mexico, for the second leg of their preseason. They depart Sunday and will train from Feb. 22 through March 4.
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