Gros Takes Role, Runs With It

United Midfielder Relishes Defensive, Offensive Responsibilities

If Josh Gros ever gets tired of playing for D.C. United, worn down by the hard tackles and his ongoing feud with New York's Youri Djorkaeff, perhaps he will turn to distance running.

Soccer players are known to run several miles per game. Gros probably runs more than anybody.

Responsible for defending as well as attacking, the third-year flank player has become quite familiar with every step along the length of the 110-yard field at RFK Stadium. One moment, he's combating an opposing winger deep in United's end; the next he's infiltrating the other penalty area.

"Josh can run for days," United assistant coach Tom Soehn said. "It's a coach's dream to have someone like that because, not only does he defend well, now he turns that guy he's defending into a defender himself with that ability to get up the field. There are very few guys in our league who can do that."

With Gros's expansive range, United employs him simultaneously as a defender and midfielder in its new hybrid formation. He usually is stationed on the right side, but when the opponent's best outside midfielder is lined up on the opposite end, Coach Peter Nowak often considers moving Gros to the left flank.

That scenario could very well unfold tonight when United (3-0-1) hosts FC Dallas (3-0-1) and its superb right wing, Ronnie O'Brien.

"Right or left, midfield or defense, wherever they need me, that's my role," Gros said. "I really could care less where they play me, just as long as I'm playing."

While United has marveled at Gros's athletic ability and endurance since drafting him from Rutgers in the fourth round of the 2004 MLS draft, the club also has recognized his improved crosses and instinct to cut inside -- vital skills for a flank player.

"He can stop them defensively, and he has the engine to get forward," said teammate Ben Olsen, a central midfielder who started his career on the wing. "There are only a few guys who are willing to do that in this league.

"When I played against guys like Josh, it was annoying. I didn't like those games because you knew you were in for a battle defensively, and then you had to track him back. He doesn't just do it for a half or 60 minutes and then gets worn out; he's doing it all day."

The tricky part for Gros, 23, is determining when to leave behind his defensive responsibilities and join the attack. If he mistimes his run or doesn't anticipate the opponent's counterattack, United's back line becomes exposed.

"I'm still learning," he said. "Sometimes I'll expose us because I get too far forward, especially the first couple games, but I've become more aware where everyone else is on the field when I make a run. The coaches have tried to explain to me about being smart going forward because sometimes I make runs and I don't need to, and the ball never gets to me. It's defense first, offense second."

Gros's omnipresence has apparently gotten on the nerves of Djorkaeff, 38, the former French national team star who is in his second season with the Red Bulls. The two have taunted each other in nearly every meeting between the teams the last two years.

"It's been rocky," Gros said. "We don't like each other too much."

Soehn, a former MLS defender, is impressed with Gros's perseverance and now would like to see him take the next step.

"The side I want to see Josh improve upon are the intricacies: crossing the ball with a purpose and cleaning up some of the plays," he said. "He's improved upon that the last three years, but I think Josh has the capability of getting up to that national team level. To do that, he's got to really dedicate himself to fine-tuning some things."

United Notes: Eight players from the club's all-decade team, as well as former coach Bruce Arena, will be honored before tonight's match. Current players Olsen, Jaime Moreno, Christian Gomez and Nick Rimando will be joined by Marco Etcheverry, Raul Diaz Arce, Jeff Agoos and John Harkes. Ryan Nelsen, Carlos Llamosa and Eddie Pope are unable to attend. . . . Chris Gbandi, Dallas's starting left back, is serving a red-card suspension. . . . Dallas announced the signing of Argentine defender-midfielder Marcos Charras, 22. He will be available to play tonight, the club said.