New England Soccer Today

A Second Glance

Ryan Kinne dribbles the ball during training last summer (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com).

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – One minute. That’s the total amount of time Ryan Kinne saw on the field with the Revolution first team last season.

Typically, a player with a stat line of sixty seconds at the end of his rookie season never sees another minute. For most, it’s a one-way ticket out of MLS.

But that wasn’t the case for the speedy winger. Despite the fleeting cameo – which came during an 89th minute substitute appearance against D.C. on Mar. 26 –  at least one person was impressed by what he saw in last year’s third-round SuperDraft selection.

“He’s got an excellent first touch and good pace,” first year Revolution head coach Jay Heaps said. “He’s player that I didn’t get to see enough of last year.”

Heaps wasn’t the only one who didn’t get to see much of Kinne last year. With only a minute of MLS action, the 5-8 winger had to make a name for himself in practice and with the reserves.

But even though he earned 12 starts between Reserve League and Open Cup competition, Kinne felt shortchanged. He worked hard to get himself in a position to get another look. He played wherever the coaches asked him. No dice.

“I obviously didn’t get that much time (to prove myself),” Kinne said. “I felt like I wasn’t being taught or getting much instruction. That’s changed quite a bit this year.”

Indeed, with Heaps at the helm, Kinne feels better about his chances. And it’s not just because he’s got a fresh set of eyes on him. Rather, it’s the fact that the first year head coach has taken the time to invest in the former Monmouth midfielder.

Whether it’s hands-on instruction, or face-to-face discussions about technique, Kinne believes that he’s finally getting the long look that he may not have gotten last year.

For his part, Heaps admits that his approach to Kinne’s development is similar to that of the other rookies in camp. To the similarly energetic coach, Kinne is essentially a first-year player given the lack of first experience he saw last season.

“He’s basically like a rookie,” Heaps said. “You’re trying to a longer look at him and see how he adapts to playing at this level.”

If there’s one thing Kinne’s already shown he can do, it’s adapt. In college, he was used primarily as an outside midfielder/forward. But last year, Kinne saw time at right back and central midfielder during Reserve League action, all attempts to show the technical staff he was ready to do anything asked of him.

“Anywhere they want me to play to help this team,” Kinne said. “I’m more than willing to (do it).”

The 22-year-old Naugatuck, Conn. native realizes it’s going to take more than being a good soldier to make a lasting impression. Even though he may have been discouraged by the lack of playing time, Kinne didn’t crumple up and throw his first year into the waste basket.

Instead, he learned to lean on veteran leaders like Shalrie Joseph and Chris Tierney not only for encouragement, but for advice on how to perform, train and practice like a professional.

“Just being in the professional environment for that whole year and being around veteran guys was unbelievable,” Kinne said. “They really instilled confidence (in me). I’m looking forward to a fresh start with Jay.”

With the likes of Joseph and Tierney already showing their belief in him, the second-year winger knows that the one person he’ll have to prove himself to is the one wearing the training top with the “JH” on it.

“Hopefully, Jay will put some faith into me this year and give me a shot,” Kinne said. “I’m looking forward to delivering. It would be nice to get some more time in and prove that I can play in this league.”

It may be tough to gauge performance from preseason practice and intra-squad scrimmages, but Kinne certainly hasn’t hurt his chances through the first four weeks of camp. In one of the team’s first 11-v-11 scrimmages in Casa Grande, Kinne scored the lone goal from the right back position.

Now that the preseason is well underway, Heaps is finally getting the look that he didn’t get last year. And while it may be too early to deliver the verdict on Kinne making the cut – especially with a formidable set of preseason games against Los Angeles, New York and Salt Lake on tap – Heaps is optimistic about the winger’s ability to seize the second chance afforded to him this winter.

“He’s shown well so far,” Heaps said of Kinne’s preseason form. “It’s a chance he deserves.”

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