Chris Anfuso played midfield throughout his childhood boys’ soccer career.
But when he got to Monmouth Regional High School in 2015, Anfuso switched to defense.
Monmouth Regional boys’ soccer coach Darren Spadavecchia saw him more as an outside back. Anfuso preferred midfield at the time, but he embraced his new position immediately.
“Defense was new, but I was young and taking whatever playing time I got. That’s the mentality I kept,” Anfuso said. “I was better at defense because when I played mid, when I was younger, the competition wasn’t as good. When I had to learn a position for real, it was defender. I became a defender in my mind.”
When Monmouth Regional’s sweeper graduated after the 2015 season, Spadavecchia moved Anfuso, an active, coachable back, to the back line’s central role.
Over the next two plus years, Anfuso developed into a solid player and leader for the Falcons.
He helped the Falcons reach the 2017 Central Jersey, Group 2 state sectional tournament championship game where Monmouth Regional fell to Holmdel High School, 6-0.
He was also named a captain for his senior year, the 2018 season.
“He’s a great all around kid and will do anything the coach says,” Spadavecchia said. “He never complains, never questions anything. He’s just an all around great player. Fast, strong, smart.”
As a defender, Anfuso developed the skills to stop the ball and transition it to the offensive third. In other words, he cultivated the skills of a midfielder.
So, when Monmouth Regional’s center midfielder and leading scorer, Brian Waltsak, suffered a dislocated ankle against Raritan High School on Sept. 20, Anfuso stepped up to take his place.
More than anything, he wanted to help his team. But he also felt he was ready to excel at his original position.
“I urged (Spadavecchia) to try me out. I said, ‘I think I’d be pretty good,’” Anfuso said. “When he decided to roll with me I was excited. That set the tone moving forward.”
In his first game at center mid, versus Red Bank Regional High School on Sept. 28, Anfuso scored two goals and guided the Falcons to a 2-1 victory. He scored on a header off a corner kick and on a penalty kick.
“It was definitely reassuring because I had some nerves going into it. But I settled in, worked hard and it paid off,” Anfuso said. “It gave me confidence moving forward. My mindset was let’s put some more goals in the net and win. It was more about the team and getting everyone around me to play well.”
Anfuso has not scored since that game, but he has continued to play well at his new position. The senior has also helped the Falcons continue to win. They are 7-3-1 after a 2-1 victory over Rumson-Fair Haven High School on Oct. 2.
With Waltsak out for the season, Anfuso will probably stay at midfield for the rest of the fall.
“So far, so good for Chris. His strength is he never gets tired. He’s all over the place. But he’s learning when to make runs and when not to make runs,” Spadavecchia said. “He’s been very solid. He’s a great kid. But it’s going to take a little time.”
“Moving forward I just have to keep working hard and good things will fall into place,” Anfuso said. “It’s definitely a lot more action and I like it better because it gives me more free range. I’m not stuck in the back. But I’m still getting accustomed and acclimated.”
Another senior captain, Ryan Wolff, has taken over Anfuso’s sweeper role. Wolff was already a defender, so it was not a huge transition. In a more central role, he has maintained Anfuso’s lofty standard.
The Falcons have allowed just 12 goals in 11 games.
“He’s done a good job. He’s a big kid who hustles and listens well. I’m lucky to have him. He’s changed his game to being more in control, rather than just clearing the ball out from the stopper position,” Spadavecchia said. “So far, so good.”
With the conference and state playoffs still to come, Spadavecchia has shuffled his lineup. It was by necessity, but it may still work out in the long run.
“We’re trying to hang in there,” he said.
“The sky is the limit. As long as we’re all playing together and working hard, good things will happen,” Anfuso said. “Everything is still coming together and it’s worked so far.”
