Wheeler Could Prove To Be Key Piece For Union
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It's been a nice start to the MLS season for the Philadelphia Union. They are 1-0-1 after picking up a 1-0 win over New England in their home opener on Saturday in Chester.
Aaron Wheeler gave the Union solid play off the bench in the victory, logging 36 minutes. He came on for center back Austin Berry in this one and helped keep the Revs off the board.
The 25-year-old Wheeler says the game has slowed down for him in this his second season with the Union.
"I felt I had a very good preseason," Wheeler tells KYW Newsradio. "So to come out here and get an opportunity, a few minutes in the first game (against Portland) and some extended play (Saturday), it's great to build off of that. Things definitely slowing down, feels good to be out there."
Wheeler turned heads last season as a forward, showing a knack for making things happened in limited action. Now he's playing defense as a center back.
"It's been fine," Wheeler says of the transition. "I like to say I'm a soccer player, so if you put me out there, I'll figure it out. It's been good. Like I said before, we've been working it in since the middle of last year. They called my name and I was able to go out there and contribute to what the team had already put on the field."
Wheeler says the squad feels good about what the future could hold for this season.
"There's a lot of confidence," Wheeler says. "We've always been a hard-working team, but now you see the quality as well. It's been really nice. It's definitely been a change in the locker room and you can just tell the guys are really confident about it and we expect to go out and get three points."
Philadelphia will go back on the road on Saturday, visiting Columbus.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.