Hector Jimenez's actual roster position was the subject of a debate Wednesday on the team's practice fields in Obetz.

Hector Jimenez�s actual roster position was the subject of a debate Wednesday on the team�s practice fields in Obetz.

�They were saying, �Nowhere in your bio does it say you�re a left back,' � Jimenez said with a laugh.

His recent play, and Tuesday�s season-ending shoulder surgery suffered by Waylon Francis, could have the six-year Major League Soccer veteran overdue for a rewrite. Jimenez has made 22 appearances through 31 games this year, but his 12 starts have been spread among five positions.

Five of those have come at left back, a position where Francis was an MLS all-star a season ago. The Crew has eight wins all year but is 4-1-0 when Jimenez starts at the position, and he has started all three victories in the Crew�s run of three wins in four games. The Crew is 2-7-4 when Francis starts and 2-4-6 when 10-year MLS veteran Corey Ashe does.

�I think Waylon hasn�t performed up to the level that we expect out of him, given his season last year and given his standing within the team and how we believe he can contribute,� coach Gregg Berhalter said. �Corey has lived up to expectations with what we thought he was going to do, and Hector at that position has probably exceeded expectations. To me, I think he has played really well in that spot, distributing the ball and defending and going forward.�

Francis initially dislocated his right shoulder and suffered a labral tear Aug. 13 against New York City FC at Mapfre Stadium. He tried to rehab the injury without surgery, but Berhalter said the risk of re-injuring the shoulder was weighing on Francis. The expectation is that Francis will be full-go by around the start of preseason camp this winter.

That leaves Jimenez and Ashe to continue to battle for the spot. Berhalter said Jimenez seems to have seized the position with his recent play, and Jimenez said Ashe has joked about the Crew�s recent record with the converted midfielder on the field. The two watch film together, and Jimenez said Ashe has given him plenty of pointers on the position.

Jimenez�s experience as a midfielder has helped prepare him for the role and allowed him to combine with typical starting left midfielder Justin Meram. The biggest needed area of growth, Jimenez said, is using his left foot on crosses when the ball is approaching the end line.

It�s something he�ll keep working at � especially if it keeps him in the lineup.

�I didn�t think I was going to be that versatile at this level, but I�m always up to the challenge,� he said. �I�m just happy to be on the field and to try and help this team as much as I can.�

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy