Avery John adjusts to an unwanted role.
By: Gus Martins (Boston Herald)
Avery John was astonished when he wasn't chosen to dress for the Revs' season opener two weeks ago in San Jose. But the 29-year-old defender has been the ultimate team player since being replaced in the team's starting lineup.
"I guess at the end of the day the team is doing well,'' said John, who did dress last week against Columbus but did not play. "We've taken four (of six) points from two games. There won't be a lot of changes. You just have to continue to train hard and wait for your opportunity.''
John started 19-of-21 games for the team last season after being acquired in May. He also started all three of the team's playoff games and scored the decisive goal in the Revs' 1-0 victory over Columbus in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
John, a central defender, has been replaced in the lineup by Michael Parkhurst. Coach Steve Nicol said that John and Marshall Leonard (22 starts last year) will have to keep working to get their chance.
"There's no easy way through it,'' Nicol said. "You've just got to turn up and train like the both of them are. They both are training hard every day, waiting to get a chance to play. You know, things happen during the season. But they've got good attitudes and you see it every day. But if you've got a strong squad, then it's just one of the downsides for someone who wants to play but is not in the team at the moment.''
John played a key role last year when defender Carlos Llamosa was lost for the season and Rusty Pierce missed 16 games because of a thigh injury.
"If they are talking about proving myself, I thought I did that last year,'' he said. "What can I say? I come in and do everything sharp and professionally. At the end of the day the coach picks the team. You've just got to come out and work harder. I don't know what else to say.''
Without regular playing time with the Revolution, it could get tougher for John to once again represent his native Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup qualifiers. Trinidad, last in the CONCACAF's final qualifying round, just hired Dutchman Leo Beenhakker to salvage its hopes.
Trinidad has one tie and two losses after three matches and sits in last place. The country's 5-1 loss to Guatemala signaled a change was in the air.
"That was a sticky result,'' John said. "But it happens. But if you look at it, it's only three games. Anything's possible. Mexico drew with Panama and has seven points. So I think we have a chance. In 1998, Jamaica lost their first three games and still qualified. The chance is still there. It will take some work but it's not impossible.''
