Zach Steinberger talks with Prost-Amerika after practice Tuesday morning at Houston Sports Park. Photo credit: Thomas J. Gosse
Houston Sports Park, Houston, Texas — The Houston Dynamo’s tie versus the Colorado Rapids was a game to forget for most people. But not for Dynamo rookie Zach Steinberger. “It was incredible” said Steinberger of his debut, adding “the first 30 seconds I caught myself just kind of dazed! it was a lifetime of work coming together in one moment.”
Steinberger’s debut was an assured one — he looked more than adept when he replaced Ricardo Clark — versus Colorado. In his 21 minutes on the pitch Steinberger, playing in a defensive midfield role, completed 65% of his passes (the team combined completed 77%), and made 3 key interceptions for the Dynamo on defense. He also saw the ball fall to him in the 88th minute on the edge of the box, but his shot flew wide of the upright.
“It came to me, time stood still, struck it well but it didn’t fly right for me” he lamented, “I just hit one here in training from the same distance and guess what? Top corner!”
Steinberger’s journey to Major League Soccer is a unique one when compared to most players who were drafted in the MLS SuperDraft this past January. Before becoming the 8th overall pick, Steinberger honed his soccer skills in Europe. Zach spent time in Kosice, Slovakia and in Karlsruhe, Germany — as a result the Dynamo rookie speaks some Slovak, and fluent German.
Following his experiences in Europe, Steinberger played at Butler university and in the PDL for Michigan Bucks. His bucks coach, Demir Muftari, says Steinberger’s biggest asset is one that you cannot teach; “He brings a lot of leadership and experience,” “He doesn’t panic when games look like they are getting chaotic, you can count on him to get guys focused and calm again.”
Head Coach of the Houston Dynamo Owen Coyle has been quick to praise Steinberger and fellow rookies for their hard work and willingness to learn since being drafted by the Dynamo. When asked about Steinberger’s development in Europe by the media Tuesday Coyle’s response was an enthusiastic one:
“Yeah I think that soccer education helps anybody regardless of what country you’re playing in — playing in different cultures will definitely help you, and Zach has benefitted from that. He’ll also be the first to tell you he’s got a lot to learn, and that’s what I love about the young lads — they’re willing to admit that, listen, and learn.”
One of the keys to his development since joining Houston is the environment that Coyle has created in Houston. The locker room atmosphere is a “very inclusive one,” Zach told Prost-Amerika, and that makes himself and fellow rookies “feel like part of the team, feel confident” in their abilities and standing within the side.
Steinberger is set to play in a defensive midfield role when he finds himself called upon this season, but he doesn’t see that as a position he will play throughout his Dynamo career. “I think eventually i’m going to try and transition into a ‘number 8’ box-to-box midfielder,” said Zach of his positional goals, but conceded that for now he thinks he can “help the team more, this season, as a defensive minded midfielder.”
In Steinberger the Dynamo have a young, determined central midfielder. With Luis Garrido the likely long term successor to the ever-present Ricardo Clark, Steinberger is looking to develop into someone who can eventually fill the open spot next to Garrido in the centre of midfield.
Zach models the way he plays on Chelsea Football Club’s Francesc “Cesc” Fabregas and is closely watching how Mourinho has turned Fabregas from a prototypical ‘number 8’ into a ‘number 6.’
“I just love the way he plays” gushed Steinberger, “he’s not the most athletic, but the things he does with the ball and even more so off the ball are amazing. So if there’s anybody i’ve tried to model my game on in the past its Fabregas.”
In fact Steinberger coming into the game for Ricardo Clark of all people seems a fitting signifier for the transition from the traditional Houston Dynamo, to the new Dynamo era — Forever Orange to Forever Orange, Forever One.
Ricardo Clark is an important part of this transition, and key to the Dynamo’s success going forward. As a senior member of the team Clark will be responsible for aiding the development of the Zach Steinberger’s and the Alex Lopez’s the Dynamo have on their roster, as well as providing leadership on the pitch come match-days.
When asked by Prost-Amerika about whether replacing someone like Clark made his debut more special or significant, Steinberger humbly replied:
“100%. If i look up to anyone in training it’s Ricardo Clark. He’s everything I want to be, he’s got the career I want. I stay after training with him if he’s doing anything extra, anything i can do to gain an insight into how he’s made such a successful career for himself is something i’m going to take advantage of. Coming on for him on my debut was something special.”
Of Steinberger’s work ethic, Ricardo Clark told media “he’s got a great mentality and great work ethic and I think that’s going to take him far in his career and the team also.”
The Houston Dynamo will face the Seattle Sounders this weekend, and Steinberger will be ready for when the opportunity next comes his way. “I’m really excited to help my team in any way I can,” said Steinberger before ending by telling Prost-Amerika “I couldn’t imagine a better place to be drafted with the coaching staff we have here and Owen Coyle too — I couldn’t have asked for a better coach for my rookie season.”
Follow Scott Nicholls on twitter: @scottnicholls
