When Vancouver Whitecaps' Residency prospect Sam Adekugbe secured a homegrown MLS contract last August, the young defender knew he couldn't rest on his laurels.
Adekugbe had already performed well in Reserve matches against MLS quality opposition, never looking out of place, and he went on to win a lot of plaudits when he made his senior debut in the final game of the season against Colorado.
All that counts for little when it's a new season, a new coach and you're trying to prove your value to the senior team and that you can truly cut it at the next level.
The hard work is only just beginning and whilst the move up from the youth ranks to the first team can be a steep learning curve, Adekugbe has been working hard in the offseason and knows what parts of his game he needs to develop through preseason and beyond.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
<i>"As a footballer I think you always want to improve your game in all aspects. I always want to work on defending. I've always been known to go forward as a full back, so I've talked to the coaching staff, they told me what to work on.
"I know I need to get in the gym to get bigger. I need to also get quicker, faster, stronger, but also to build on adapting quicker."</i>
This is Sam's second year in training camp, but his first as a signed MLS player. How different is he finding things this time around?
<i>"Obviously it's different coming in to a training camp with a new coach. He has his expectations and what he wants from the team, so hopefully I can understand what he expects and learn from the guys in the first team."</i>
With a different coaching staff in place, there seems to be a noticeable difference in tempo and training from last year to this.
<i>"Yeah, definitely. When any new coach comes in he brings his expectations. Obviously Robbo was an assistant under Martin Rennie but they also both have different expectations as to what they want as head coaches.
"The tempo is fast, he's already inflicting his playing style. You can see players are wanting to learn it and adapt to it. The difference is in terms of environment and playing style and quickness, so hopefully it's something we can get together before the season starts."</i>
Like all the young talent in camp, Adekugbe is keen to impress, angry at himself for making mistakes but eager to quickly bounce back and show his value to the team. This was seen in the first game down in Arizona against Indy Eleven where he both made a mistake for a goal, then came back with an assist.
The whole preseason camp environment benefits young players who are willing to learn. Being around and getting regular advice from senior players like fellow defenders Andy O'Brien and Steven Beitashour is something which Adekugbe clearly enjoys and is benefiting from.
<i>"Robbo's brought in some good players as you can see. Steve's just came in, he's an exciting right back in the League, so he's a player I can look to learn from. Also the other players in the team, there's a lot of players I can look to learn from, so in this camp I just have to stay focussed and work hard as much as possible."</i>
Training and minutes with the first team aside, Adekugbe will continue to work hard and develop whilst part of the Caps' U18 set up in the USSDA for the next few months.
One thing the coaches are looking for from players like Adekugbe is how they are when they return to the Residency fold after being away and training with the first team. They want to see a player go back and share what they've learned without giving indications that they feel they are better than that level now. The feedback we've had about all the Caps guys over the last couple of years that have done this has shown that this is something that Vancouver manage well.
Adekugbe is no different and sees the playing time he gets in the USSDA as invaluable to his development.
<i>"When you get a chance to play in different environments you always learn from different places, different types of scenarios. Being eligible for the U18 academy, Reserve matches, first team matches, it's a good thing, because if I'm not getting games in the first team squad then I can go down to the reserves, I can go back to the academy. It's good in the sense that I will be getting minutes."</i>
Sam has bagged three goals for the U18s in 12 appearances so far this season and whilst there will undoubtedly be more to come, you have to also feel that he'll also be building upon his MLS minutes this year and is likely to get the nod to start in the Voyageurs Cup games.
And it really wouldn't be a surprise if Jordan Harvey finds himself with a battle on his hands for that starting spot at left back before the season is out.
To get there will require continued hard work but Adekugbe's already putting that in. It's going to be interesting to see if his development continues apace.
<i>[Article by Michael McColl / Interview by Steve Pandher]</i>
<p>