



By AVI CREDITOR

PHILADELPHIA — What a difference 10 months have made for Brek Shea.

Last October, Shea appeared unsure, uncomfortable and out of place in his debut for the U.S. men's national team, which came just miles down the road at PPL Park against Colombia.

"This time last year, it definitely wasn't what I wanted it to be," Shea said. "I was so excited, but at the same time nervous. The game was so fast, and I was used to MLS."

In his third appearance with the national team, Wednesday night against Mexico, Shea displayed the skills that have made him a breakout star in Major League Soccer and one to watch on the international stage during the years to come. He mixed his pace and power to trouble the Mexican defense after entering as a 60th-minute substitute, and his cross set up Robbie Rogers' game-tying goal in the 1-1 draw at Lincoln Financial Field.

"Today I felt a lot more comfortable," Shea said. "You keep playing, and you get more used to it. Being around the guys more, it helps you relax a lot more, and you enjoy it."

Aside from appearing to be more poised, mature and aware of his surroundings than he was in the Colombia match, Shea demonstrated an aggressive presence on the game-tying play. With Juan Agudelo in the far corner, Shea made a run toward the side of the box, making himself available for a pass.

He fended off Israel Castro from behind while drawing centerback Hector Moreno out of position to leave a gap in front of the goal. With a well-struck cross from his left foot, Shea spotted Rogers wide open by the far post for a simple finish.

"We're both pretty similar players," Rogers said. "We have pace, we attack players, we're wide guys. We're wingers. Coming into the national team you do what you're best at, and we're both are good at moving off the ball and running at guys."

He nearly won the game for the United States with a shot in the waning minutes as well, but his left-footed blast was stopped by a diving Guillermo Ochoa to preserve the draw.

For the 21-year-old Shea, the performance is his latest milestone in a successful 2011. After being shifted around the formation by FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman during an early-season position crisis at Pizza Hut Park, Shea has settled into his natural role as a winger and scored nine goals en route to an MLS All-Star First XI nod.

"In my opinion, in our league, if he's not the best, he's one of the best players at just getting the ball and going at people and putting guys under pressure, and as a defender it's a nightmare to play against him," U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan said.

Shea's year started off with an appearance at Bob Bradley's January camp and a start in a friendly against Chile, where he didn't necessarily wow but continued to get his feet wet and earn more minutes at a top level.

His latest showing indicates that perhaps he's ready for a more expanded role in a national-team jersey.

"He has the qualities to take people on, he has tremendous pace and when he's driving toward the goal he wants to score," U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "Besides that, we want to see how he integrates in a group like that, how comfortable he is, what kind of character he is, and he fits right in there."

With Olympic qualifiers and the Summer Olympics on the horizon in 2012, Shea could prove to be a valuable asset for Klinsmann and whoever ends up coaching the U.S. Under-23 team.

"This year I wanted to be better than last year, and I hope next year I'm doing better," Shea said. "That's how anyone who wants to get better should look at it."