Maryland men’s soccer defender Andrew Samuels is right-footed, so he had to adapt when coach Sasho Cirovski asked him to play left back eight games into this season.
“When I open up, I can’t really go down the line as much,” Samuels said. “I have to play more on the inside while learning a new position, learning to open up, learning to close.”
Defender Diego Silva is dealing with a nagging injury that has kept him out of the starting lineup since Sept. 23. So without the Terps’ usual left back, Cirovski asked Samuels to step in.
The sophomore, who had come off the bench for the first seven matches as a midfielder, has taken advantage of his opportunity. He’s started the past seven matches and helped the Terps allow a combined three goals in those contests. When No. 1 Maryland (12-0-2) hosts Hofstra (8-5-1) at Ludwig Field on Friday night, Samuels will look to continue thriving in his improvised role.
“Andrew’s a simple player,” Cirovski said. “He’s pretty good with both feet. He’s a versatile player. He can play a lot of places across the back five. He’s a smart, simple, honest player who gets the job done.”
Last season, Samuels started 12 of the 19 games he played in. He usually played holding midfield, a position he grew up playing. He also saw time on the backline and played some left back.
As mainly a reserve last year, the Tampa, Florida, native developed the mindset of jumping on his starting breaks when he receives them.
“You just always have to be ready and always working hard in training,” Samuels said. “One day you get the nod, and when it happens, you just keep working hard and not letting that spot get away from you.”
Assistance from Cirovski and his teammates made Samuels’ transition smoother. Cirovski watches film with Samuels and tells him where to position himself in different situations. On the field, senior defenders Alex Crognale and Suli Dainkeh, goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier and midfielder Eryk Williamson talk to Samuels throughout the contest.
The biggest adjustment for Samuels is having more time on the ball than he had in the midfield, since players aren’t usually behind him. He focuses on the best parts of his game, such as short passes and switching the field, to push the ball into the attacking-third.
“He came in and he’s done his job,” Crognale said. “He’s been really solid for us.”
Samuels has helped the Terps allow the fewest goals per game in the Big Ten (.68) while generating offense for a squad that ranks second in the nation in points per game (7.57). Cirovski hasn’t decided who will start when Silva is healthy, but the veteran coach acknowledged Samuels has stepped up.
“He does a great job defensively,” Cirovski said. “He’s tuned in tactically. When he has the move, it moves it on to the next guy and it puts in into our playmakers’ feet. He can pressure and get out of trouble as well. He does a lot of things well.”
