You wouldn't think a position change would make such a difference, but for Taylor Kemp it did.

About 18 months ago he was playing central and left midfield, a solid but not a great player. Then coach Lorne Donaldson switched him to left back and it was like a light bulb went off.

"It fits the way I play a lot better," Kemp, a standout from the class of 2009 with Real Colorado, said. "I play in an attacking role back there and it's actually easier for me to go forward. It really suits the way I like to play."

Since the switch the athletic left-footer became one of the most coveted players of his recruiting class, agreed to attend Maryland and was called up to the U20 Men's National Team for a trip to England.

Like a lot of Americans, the idea of moving to the back line had a questionable sound to it for Kemp, but he allowed himself to be talked into and now, there's no looking back.

"One of our club coaches, Frank Kholenstein, told me that it is now one of the most sought-after positions in all of soccer, that a lot of coaches are looking for players in that position," Kemp said. "It's helped me be more confident. Two and a half years ago I was a mid-level player on my club team. I had had some knee problems and missed a whole season. Then I grew a couple  of inches, gained some weight and moved to left back. It's really helped open up all kinds of things."

One of those things was the door to recruiting popularity. After shining at the Nike Friendlies in Bradenton, Kemp started hearing from nearly every top school in the country. He narrowed his choices to ACC powers Virginia, Wake Forest and Maryland and then chose Maryland over Wake, despite his sister Kristen having played for the Demon Deacons. Kemp admitted he couldn't believe how fast it was all happening.

"I was shocked with the schools I was being recruited by. I didn't really believe I could play at that high of a high level," he said. "But I talked to Lorne and he said that's where I should be setting my goals."

Kemp agreed that he is still working on the defensive side of things, but said it is coming along nicely.

"Attacking is my natural mindset," he said. "I've had to work at becoming a bit more defensive minded. At first it was a little rough to get used to. I still make mistakes and will always be learning, but I've gotten more comfortable with both ends of the game from that position."

So much so that he was part of Thomas Rongen's squad for a recent trip by the U20s to England to play against a couple of EPL Reserve sides. Having gotten a taste of it, Kemp wants more.
"It was like a completely different level than I'd ever really played at," he said. "Everything was faster, sharper, cleaner … I loved every minute of it. The games and training were awesome. I want to stay at that level now."

Taylor's mother, Franny, coached him as a recreational player, noting that his athleticism was apparent early on.

"He started when he was U5," she said. "We spent most of our Saturdays on the sideline watching his sister play, so he was interested to play. He's always liked sports. He's a good golfer and skier and has just been a good athlete.

"I thin the think that stood out with him was how good he was technically, plus he was a left-footer so that was a nice advantage," she added. "He always wanted to be out there and was one of the very good players, but at 14 or 15 I think you have a rude awakening because you realize there are a lot of other good players out there as well."

Real Colorado coach Lorne Donaldson said Kemp's attribute are myriad.

If you walked up to the field and looked at him you'd recognize how good he is with his left foot," he said. "He's very accurate, and a good passer. He's a left back, but our leading assist player.  He's a solid all-around player and also very good in the air."

Donaldson agreed that coaches in the elite youth game have sometimes been reluctant to use top players in a defensive role.

"The coaches who understand the game are doing it now," he said. "A lot of times he's going to touch the ball from that position more than most people on the field. If you think about it you want someone who is good on the ball back there. Coaches are reluctant to use a player there, and I think that also comes from parents who don't understand the game and think the only way a kid can be seen is if they play forward or attacking midfielder."