Player Profile: (7) Eddie Lewis

Born: May 17th, 1974

Hometown: Cerritos, California

Height: 5′10″

Weight: 155 lbs

Caps: 68 (8 goals)

World Cups: 1 (2002)

Clubs: Leeds United (2005-present), Preston North End (2002-2005), Fulham (2000-2002), San Jose Clash (1996-2000)

College: UCLA

Positions: LM (strongest position for “the American David Beckham,” who delivers dangerous crosses and free kicks. Has a left foot so cultured it’s currently studying for a PHD in Russian Lit. at an Ivy League school. Lewis did have pace, but that’s slowly fading.) LB (not his strongest position but with a lack of left backs and an abundance of left mids, Lewis has filled the void.)

Highlights:

• Promoted to the Premiership with Fulham in 2000.

Lowlights:

• Never played a Premiership game for Fulham, stuck in their reserves.
• Lost consecutive promotion play off finals with Preston (2005), then Leeds(2006)

Arena says: “Right- or left-footed, Eddie’s ability to serve a ball is second to none. We didn’t have many players that went out and grabbed (left back) and say, ‘It’s mine.’ ”

Assessment: There will always be doubts about his defensive capabilities, but he’s never really been caught out and Lewis himself sees it as a “natural progression” as he gets older. He will suit Arena’s gameplan which relies on full backs getting forward and getting crosses in.