With six matches and two starts so far in 2016, United midfielder Jared Jeffrey has already played in triple the amount of games he did last year, and his eight shots this season are two more than his combined total for 2014 and 2015. At just 25 years old, the talented central midfielder is developing into an impact player for United, and plans to continue training hard in hopes of challenging for more minutes. “I think the biggest thing for me is coming in and helping the team any way I can,” he says.
In addition to his four appearances as a substitute, Jeffrey has proven recently that he can be a reliable starter. In both of the matches he’s started this year (April 2 at San Jose and April 30 at Chicago), the Texas native has played 90 minutes, and feels secure in the confidence his coaches and teammates have in him. “I’ve earned their trust,” Jeffrey says of his teammates. “I think I can step in and play and maintain [this] level, no problem.”
He’s also displayed versatility, adjusting to a deeper role than he’s occupied previously. “I see myself as more as a number eight. But since Nick and Marcelo cover so much ground, we can all play off each other, and it’s not necessarily a six and an eight, but rather, a double eight or double six at times.”
Jeffrey speaks clearly of his desire to keep improving, but remains grounded. “I just want to contribute any way I can,” he says, but adds, “Obviously I want to play as much as a can and help the team win.” Still at an early stage in his career, Jeffrey no doubt has an exciting future ahead of him--good news for him and for United.
