A WYNNE-ING INTERVIEW Defender on his rookie season, Bruce, Claudio
Marvell Wynne: "I feel a lot more comfortable. I look back and see myself in this position last year and I was just awful." Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
Los Angeles -- New York Red Bulls defender Marvell Wynne was a revelation for the U.S. Under-20 team in 2005. The former UCLA defender garnered so much attention for his impressive performance there that he finally left school early to join MLS.
He promptly became the number one pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
If his rookie year was a little disappointing, it was only because expectations had been set so high. Wynne's speed and athletic gifts were clearly evident, but his experience at top-level game play still was developing.
In Los Angeles for pre-season training, Wynne chatted with Los Angeles Soccer News about who cooks his breakfast eggs.
Los Angeles Soccer News: Marvell, it's your second year now in MLS -- do you feel more prepared for the challanges of the season?
Wynne: I feel a lot more comfortable. I look back and see myself in this position last year and I was just awful. Now I come out here, and I know most of the guys and I feel more comfortable socially, as well as being on the field. I also feel a lot more confident, especially now that I know what these players can do. I know their strengths and I know how to play to them.
LASN: Do you think it makes a difference having Bruce Arena as a coach at the start of the season?
Wynne: It makes a world of difference. Just looking back, we were never really set on a certain formation or with certain players, not really knowing what we were doing. When Bruce came in at the end of the year, things seemed to pick up. We seemed to be getting better results. Now, having him here from the beginning, we seem to be getting better results. We know what he wants and we know his strategy. It’s going to pick up for us.
LASN: Did you feel a lot of pressure in your rookie year because you were the first pick in the MLS draft?
Wynne: I try not to think about it too much. Being the No. 1 draft pick, sure, people are going to talk, but when you’re on the field, you’re just you. On the field, it’s always that all eyes are watching you, because there’s a crowd. Of course they’re watching you. I’d feel the same way if I came first, second, last. It doesn’t matter. It was just a learning experience.
LASN: What's your take on Beckham's arrival to the league?
Wynne: Basically, all the guys are saying that it’s going to be good for the league. If he comes here and he has a good time, it’ll be known. He’s a very well-known player, so hopefully, he’ll have fun while he’s here. I just want everybody to know that he’s human. He is David Beckham, but he’s also a normal guy, going out and playing the game. Yeah, he’s good at it, but he’s not going to complete every pass, he’s not going to dribble an entire team, he’s not going to score five goals a game. He’s human. Let him go and do his own thing. Either way, I’m very excited to go and play against him. Just to be in his presence will be kind of fun. I’ve played against Ronaldinho, why not play against Beckham, too?
LASN: Did that experience versus Barcelona teach you to be unafraid of any big names?
Wynne: Exactly. Once you’re on the field, anyone is just one of eleven guys on the opposing side. Of course, you give them a lot of respect, but you don’t fear anyone on the field. If they come at you, try to force them over to one side. Just play them like a normal game, but just be a little smarter, because you know what they can do.
LASN: A lot of people thought that Red Bull would make a major signing of a big-name foreigner this offseason -- did you think so, too?
Wynne: There were always rumors, but rumors are rumors. I never really thought too much about it. I always heard, Figo, Zidane. I was hearing it all and thinking, “That’d be nice.’ But nothing happened. Suddenly, we do sign Claudio (Reyna). I couldn’t be more excited. He’s a great guy. Him coming here is going to do a lot. He’s very modest, He’s got a great game. He’s very smooth, calm, and relaxed on the ball. I’ve already learned a lot from him.
LASN: What have you learned?
Wynne: Mainly to be more relaxed on the ball. When he gets the ball, he looks like he’s going for a walk in the park. He just glides by other players. He sees without seeing. He knows where I am across the field. He’s always there if you need to talk to him. He’s just so humble. I’m not a big-talk guy, but it still brings me down to earth to know that he’s done what he’s done and he’s still such a great guy. A week into camp in Florida, I wake up and he’s cooking eggs for me. I mean, who can say that about a World Cup player?
LASN: You're now working with a former national team coach -- has he told you what you need to do in your game to get to that level?
Wynne: He’s told me to get to the line, open my body up, see the field a little more -- and make better decisions. I completely agree. I’m very critical about myself. I’m probably my worst critic. He tells me to maybe not find the pass nearest to me, but to look a little farther, and just to be more confident and relaxed.
LASN: So the National Team is a goal of yours for this year?
Wynne: Definitely a goal – with the U-23’s especially. It was mentioned that I might go into camp, but Bruce decided to hold me back because I had thumb surgery and I might not be as fit as I could be. At least I know I’m on the depth chart. That would be amazing – to make that team.
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