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U.S. Team Hopeful Dixon Enjoys Resurgence

by Matt DaSilva | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff

Defenseman Brian Spallina, cut from the U.S. team in June but brought back this fall, could be the answer to Canada's John Grant in Manchester. © Kevin P. Tucker

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Kyle Dixon has been down this road before.

Seven years ago, Dixon was cut from the U.S. under-19 men’s lacrosse team. But following an impressive freshman campaign at the University of Virginia -- where he would eventually evolve into the nation’s top collegiate midfielder – he rejoined Team USA and helped it to a gold medal in the 2002 U-19 world championships.

Can history repeat itself? Dixon, who now plays professionally for Major League Lacrosse’s Washington Bayhawks, hopes so.

Among 80 players who tried out for the 2010 U.S. men’s national team at Bryant University in June, Dixon was not chosen for the 40-man training roster. The decision turned some heads, considering he led the MLL in scoring at the time.

But Dixon did not despair.

“I’m kind of used to the feeling,” he said. “I had a little chip on my shoulder.”

Encouraged by Bayhawks head coach John Tucker and assistant coach John Lamon -- both of whom boast U.S. team experience -- that he could play his way back into consideration, Dixon continued to tear up the MLL ranks, nearly leading Washington to a playoff berth. He led the league with 10 two-point goals.

Team USA coaches noticed, inviting Dixon and defenseman Brian Spallina back into the fold after Steven Brooks suffered a foot injury and Brandon Corp withdrew from the training team. Dixon scored a goal Sunday against his former team, as the U.S. split its 41 players (including Brooks) into two teams against Maryland, Navy and Virginia in the second leg of its fall exhibition series.

“I had to play my best in the MLL, just like Brian did, and luckily we got invited back,” Dixon said. “Mentally, I was ready. Physically, I was a little bit behind. I was taking time off, but I’ve hit it hard since I got back.”

Spallina, who said he was “disappointed initially” about his exclusion from the U.S. training team, benefited from a strong showing in the MLL playoffs for the Long Island Lizards against Toronto Nationals and Team Canada star John Grant Jr.

“Historically, I’ve matched up against him and done a pretty good job. We’ve had our battles,” Spallina said. “I play him physical. He’s a big boy. I don’t think you’re going to take the ball away, so banging with him seems to be the way to go. It’s been effective so far.”

Spallina spent much of Sunday on a defensive line with Ryan McClay and Jack Reid. Dixon played on the U.S. Blue team’s first midfield line, joined by Kyle Harrison and Matt Striebel, both members of the 2006 U.S. team that lost to Canada in London, Ontario.

“The toughest thing is everybody here is used to initiating the offense. All the big middies are up top and looking to get a run,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a little easier when they finally pick the 23 to find some roles, and hopefully I’ll be one of those guys.”

News and Notes

Team USA nearly ran the table Sunday, its only loss coming in the U.S. Blue team’s finale against Virginia. Behind the strong defense of Ken Clausen, timely goalkeeping of Adam Ghitelman and Chris Bocklet’s two goals, the Wahoos won, 11-9. The U.S. White team survived a game effort from Maryland, winning 9-7 despite the Terps’ impressive transition game… U.S. training team goalie Brian Dougherty twice got razzed by Maryland fans who were all too eager to give guff to one of their own. Doc, whose breakout performance for the Terps in the 1995 NCAA tournament and two-time national goalie of the year stint in College Park set the stage for a prolific pro career, said he enjoyed the opportunity to play against his former team. “It started a couple of weeks ago with some text messages when I found out we were going to play them,” he said. “Everybody knows I’m a Terp for life. It was good to hear the boys in the stands ripping me a little bit…” U.S. head coach Mike Pressler said he was impressed by players’ response to the elements, with temperatures hovering in the 40s and winds gusting at the U.S. Naval Academy. “This being our second go-round, there’s some separation now,” Pressler said. “There’s guys that are really moving forward, I think, and really making their case for when we move to the 23…” Team USA will announce its final 23-man roster following an Oct. 31 intra-squad exhibition at Stony Brook. “The toughest call right out of the box is three goalies,” Pressler said of Dougherty, Adam Fullerton and Mickey Jarboe, all of whom shined at times Sunday. “One of the three is not going to join us, and that’s going to be difficult. All three were outstanding today.”