SAN JOSE, Calif. – It’s easy to forget that, a year ago at this time, Brandon McDonald was being asked to play as a holding midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes because they didn’t have any other options that coach Frank Yallop liked.
Midway through the season, McDonald moved back to his natural center back spot, where he has had a successful partnership with Jason Hernandez in the middle of a defense that notched a franchise-record 13 shutouts. He took time Tuesday to sweep away questions from MLSsoccer.com.
MLSsoccer.com: Did you take a look at the first goal for Seattle?
McDonald: I saw it on replay a couple times. It just looked like, to be honest, maybe some missed tackles. It’s obviously something we can look at and get better from, because we got scored on and it’s not perfect. I think a lot of guys on this team try to be as perfect as they can when it comes to executing what they’re trying to do, from the backline all the way to the forwards.
MLSsoccer.com: You guys are 1-1-1 to this point. What’s your assessment of where you are?
McDonald: You look at it as a growing spurt. From two years ago when we started [the season] to last year to now, I think you’ve got to take a lot of positives from what we’re doing. I think we’re growing a lot as a team and the chemistry’s growing, and I think there’s a lot more good things to come. A lot of good things to come.
MLSsoccer.com: You have four center backs who could start in this league, if they weren’t all on the same team. What does that do in terms of your mind set?
McDonald: Absolutely. I just think, from our standpoint, it’s not only pushing each other, but at the same time, we’ve got to be on our "A" game at practice, because any one of us could be starting at any time. That helps us in the sense that it’s going to make us better in the long run because there’s no days off here.
[inline_node:328501]MLSsoccer.com: Would guys rather be in this situation than be the unquestioned No. 1 somewhere else?
McDonald: It depends on your situation in life and where you are, to be honest. I don’t want to compare teams, but you’ve got a lot of good teams around the world where a lot of players on their benches could be starting somewhere else. The position we’re in, I think we’re going to do a lot of good things this year, and you just build your résumé. When you win, things look good.
MLSsoccer.com: What do you want to put on your résumé after this year?
McDonald: MLS championship. We were really close last year. It was heartbreaking and devastating at the same time. It makes us hungrier coming back into this season. I want to win it all. I would love to be involved in a Best XI, have some talk of being one of the top center backs in the league. That’s what I strive for. But it’s one day at a time with me. I’m trying.
MLSsoccer.com: This is the last year of your contract. Are you thinking at all about exploring other options next season?
McDonald: Right now, I’m just going with the flow. My priorities and loyalties are here right now. My main focus is winning here. Whatever down the road happens, happens. My focus is here right now. I’m not worried about what’s going to happen six, seven months down the road. When the time comes, it’ll sort itself out.
MLSsoccer.com: You would look better as a candidate playing on a team that goes deep into the MLS Cup Playoffs, no?
McDonald: Absolutely. We’ve built a lot of chemistry here with these coaches. In our defense, we’ve come a long way from two years ago, setting a shutout record last year with the guys that we had. I’m enjoying myself here, and the coaching staff and the players as well.
MLSsoccer.com: In what areas of your game have you had growth over the last two years?
McDonald: Reading the game. It’s slowed down for me. Having Frank and Watty [Mark Watson, Earthquakes assistant] teaching me. It’s baby steps, but at the same time, baby steps get you somewhere, rather than no steps.
Geoff Lepper covers the Earthquakes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at sanjosequakes@gmail.com. On Twitter: @sjquakes
