Bryan Jordan is one of the LA Galaxy's more athletic players, a speedy, 5-foot-8, 155-pounder who is known for his quick forays into opposing territory.
But as a right back?
It may take getting used to, but if the Galaxy's injuries continue to cause their current rate of personnel reshuffling, it could be the norm. The 24-year-old, normally a forward played the last 47 minutes on the right side of the Galaxy back line in last Saturday's 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in place of Sean Franklin, who was lost with a sprained left ankle.
Jordan said he even liked it, and it wasn't just because it marked his 2010 season debut.
"It wasn't too bad, actually," Jordan, who is in his third-year with the Galaxy, said with a grin after training on Tuesday. "It got my confidence up. I'm sad because my buddy Sean went down with an injury, but (head coach) Bruce (Arena) has the confidence in me to get me in there at right back.
"I felt good out there."
Jordan isn't exactly a stranger to defense -- he briefly played there in the second half of a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew last Oct. 26 -- and occasionally spends time there during intrasquad games. His semiofficial debut at right back was during a 3-0 victory over the Ventura County Fusion in a scrimmage late last week.
Veteran left back Todd Dunivant said he was impressed with Jordan's emergency performance last Saturday.
"Bryan came in and did a great job," Dunivant said. "He's next to Omar (Gonzalez) and Omar was able to help him out, but he didn't need much help. He's a third-year pro now, he's ready for it and he proved that.
"That's what you have to have on good teams. When guys go down somebody is able to step up. You've seen that already this year with us. Sean going down, Gregg (Berhalter) going down, Dema (Kovalenko) going down ... guys have filled in. I heard Salt Lake whining a lot about having guys injured, but I don't know if they looked at our injured list. I think we might have them beat.
"It's part of the game. There are going to be injuries and you've got to have guys that can step up for us. Bryan did a great job. That's another player Bruce has seen as being a versatile guy. He can play in midfield, up front or right back.
"That only helps his stock. He's that much more valuable to our team now."
Jordan said the biggest problem with the new position was the mindset. He admitted he is an attacking player and he had to be careful not to try and force the action.
"I guess every attacking player thinks about that a little bit," he said. "I didn't want to sit back, basically, but I knew I had to pick my spots. It was nice just to get out there and get a feel for the game and know I was contributing to the team.
"It felt good."
Jordan said he could grow to liking the new position, if it comes to that. But not without a reservation or two.
"I am an attacking player," he repeated with a smile. "But I am trying to get on the field, and I'll do anything to get out there. And if it comes to that, I could do it."
