MLS Spotlight: Matt Polster’s right-back revelation has a central theme

The third-year player was encouraged to bring his experience at central midfield with him as he shifted to a new role, and it's paid big dividends

Matt Polster doesn’t play right back like it’s his natural position.

That may sound like an insult — but it’s actually a compliment.

Entering his third MLS season, Polster no longer had a spot in his natural holding midfield position. Instead, the Chicago Fire decided to shift him to right back, and gave him instructions you might not expect to hear.

"The message was like, 'Hey, we would like to play you at right back and your role is not to be a right back,' even though it’s kind of weird saying that," Polster told Goal. "They wanted me to play my…