FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Fabian Castillo. Brad Davis. Clint Dempsey. Benny Feilhaber. Sebastian Giovinco. Javier Morales. Pedro Morales. Dillon Powers. Harry Shipp.
Scott Caldwell.
What do they all have in common? They each lead their respective teams in assists approximately 30 percent of the way through the 2015 MLS season.
Caldwell, a holding midfielder who registered just four assists in the first 62 appearances of his career, tops the Revolution charts with three assists this year, all accumulated in the past three games. And that’s not all – the Revs Academy product also bagged his first professional goal in that span.
So is Caldwell – on pace for a three-goal, 10-assist campaign – taking over primary playmaking duties for the Revolution’s vaunted attack? Not exactly, said the 24-year-old local product.
“I don’t expect that to continue each and every game,” Caldwell said with a laugh when asked about his recent spike in scoring. “But I’m definitely trying to get into the attack when I can.”
The biggest factor in Caldwell’s increased attacking output is the identity of his midfield partner.
Throughout the second half of last season, Caldwell was paired with Jermaine Jones in central midfield. While Jones was given the freedom that allowed him to rack up three goals and six assists, Caldwell provided the necessary cover by holding in a more defensive position.
But with Jones providing central defensive cover in recent weeks, Caldwell has played alongside Andy Dorman, and the pair often shares both offensive and defensive duties.
“I think with Dorms he’s got more freedom to go a little bit,” said Jones. “Last season was a little bit different; I played (midfield) and I got more freedom to go, and he was the guy behind me.”
“When Dorms and I are next to each other, he kind of gives me the go ahead some plays to push on if it’s the right time,” Caldwell said. “Same thing for him – when it’s the right time and we can go forward and help the attack, we’ll definitely try to.”
Caldwell’s most recent assist was a result of timely defensive pressure and a quick-hit counterattack – “If Dorms or I can step to one of their midfielders and win the ball, that’s definitely a great time to go,” Caldwell said – but he also has the ability to play the killer final pass.
An attacking midfielder during a stellar career at the University of Akron, Caldwell led the Zips with 10 assists and tacked on nine goals during his senior season in 2012.
“I lost it for a bit – I’m not going to lie to you there – but I’m definitely used to it from when I was younger,” Caldwell said of his attacking tendencies. “It’s not the first thing that I’m going to try to do, but if the time is right and I can help the attack and help the team, then I’ll definitely go for it.”
Eventually Jones will likely return to midfield and that may mean Caldwell’s role shifts back to a more defensive mindset. But regardless of his duties, his efforts will continue to be a vital part of what the Revs do on both sides of the ball.
“He’s a key player for this team,” said Jones. “He’s important for the team and I hope he stays healthy and he can continue the game he’s playing for the team right now.”
