With the absence of older players, younger teammates must evolve and mature into their own roles on a team.
No one knows this better than the Michigan men’s soccer team which recently lost offensive juggernauts Jack Hallahan and Nebojsa Popovic who graduated last spring. Combined, the duo netted 15 goals in 22 total games last season, accounting for around 47% of the team’s goals. This means sophomore forwards Evan Rasmussen and Inaki Rodriguez will have to take on larger roles on the offensive end of the field.
It’s a daunting task, but Rasmussen and Rodriguez appear ready to step up and provide that offensive firepower for the Wolverines. Last year, Rasmussen and Rodriguez combined for zero goals, making Hallahan and Popovic’s shoes hard to fill. However, the team’s outlook and style of play are evolving due to the absence of Hallahan and Popovic.
“As a team, we play differently now a little bit,” Rasmussen said. “We had to rely on (Hallahan) and (Popovic) a lot, but I think now we’re a little different as a team. … We can connect well, and I think I’ll adapt well as a hold-up player.”
Added Rodriguez: “We have relied on them too much. I think we have come to develop a style where we can definitely rely more on the team.”
As a number of Michigan athletic programs are starting back up this winter, there’s a chance the men’s soccer season will start in the spring. It’s an uncertain time for Michigan athletics, so effective coaching is paramount for the confidence and development of the program.
But with Michigan coach Chaka Daley at the helm, the Wolverines are adjusting to the unusual nature of the season.
“He still keeps pushing us to improve,” Rodriguez said. “He really wants to push me to become a great player for this program.”
Rasmussen also commended the coaching staff for centering the team mentally, citing uniformed scrimmages as a way for Michigan to stay game-ready.
“The coaches have been really good in keeping us focused through all of the fall last semester,” Rasmussen said.
Other than the coaching staff, though, Rasmussen and Rodriguez looked up to Hallahan and Popovic for advice and a leading example.
“In the case of (Popovic), he really (led) by example,” Rodriguez said. “He worked really hard. He would always be scoring goals and would be setting the tone in training … (while Hallahan would target) communication and encouraging in a motivational way.”
The Wolverines are preparing for a season that may not occur. They’re now relying on new offensive players at the helm, and although they’re only sophomores, Rasmussen and Rodriguez are confident that they can provide for their team.
“I can make a great impact and I have such a great team behind me,” Rodriguez said. “It pushes you to be better. We don’t depend on individual players, we are a great team.”
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