OrlandoCitySoccer.com sat down with Orlando City Defender Luke Boden on Thursday, asking him questions submitted by you, the fans, on Facebook and Twitter. Here are his responses and more regarding his position, game-time communication and more.

Question from Greg Smart (Facebook): You and Rob (Valentino) tend to be very physical players. How would you define the separation between technique and physical play and why is each aspect important for young defenders to learn?

Boden: The physical part is important because you want the opposition to know that you’re in a game. It puts the thought in their head (after a physical play like a tackle) like ‘Oh no here he comes again.’
Along with the hard tackles, you also need a little bit of composure and technical ability to pass the ball properly. It’s good to have both. That’s what we work on in training as well as games.

Question from Giles R Woodhall (Facebook): Luke, in my opinion you are our best central midfielder. With that said, how does it feel to be playing left back and would you prefer to move back to center midfield?

Boden: I enjoyed center mid when I played it. To tell you the truth I really struggled when I first came here playing center midfield. The Gaffa (Head Coach Adrian Heath) kept playing me there. He knew I had something, it just wasn’t coming out at the time. He said to me one time, ‘Have you ever played left back?’ I laughed and said not since I was 12 (laughing). He just said I think you’d be good there and the rest is history.

My best attributes probably include my fitness and passing. By no means am I quick, but I can be fast after going the first 10 steps. I think those skills go with my current position better than central midfield. People ask me if I want to change, but I know I found my position. Left back is my position.

Question from Mike Stajuluhar (Twitter): How important is game-time communication from your goalkeeper to the overall success of the defense?

Boden: It’s very important. Obviously as a defender you can’t see everything. You don’t know always what’s happening on the right and center of the defense as you’re trying to take care of your side. You just have to keep an eye out in case help is needed, but the biggest priority is to look after yours first.

As a goalkeeper, you see everything in a central part of the pitch- so it’s good to receive that communication from someone who sees the whole field. As defenders, you don’t have too much time to scan the field without getting caught off guard by a goal.

Question from Mark Gagen (Facebook): Why did you play for the Owls when you could’ve played for the mighty blades?

Boden: (Laughing) If he’s from Sheffield he’ll know that if you’re brought up a blue (Sheffield Wednesday) or a red (Sheffield United) you tend to stay that way. My family were all Wednesday fans, so that is where I wanted to play. I went to all of the trials and attended the academy, and eventually when I made the first team everyone was extremely excited. I started when I was eight and was really glad to have played for Sheffield Wednesday. It was a good time and I was happy to play for the club I grew up supporting. But coming to Orlando and playing for City was one of the best decisions I ever made. I can’t be in a better spot and I’m looking forward to this upcoming season.

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