Worth the wait for Hemming

Good things usually come to those who wait.

Charleston assistant coach Mark Watson has been waiting almost two years to see Tyler Hemming in a Battery uniform.

Hemming first caught Watson's eye when the talented midfielder was a member of the Canadian Olympic soccer team a couple of summers ago. It was then when Watson, who was working as an assistant coach for the Canadian Olympic team, started the recruiting process.

All of Watson's hard work finally paid off this spring when Hemming signed with the Battery. Hemming hasn't disappointed either, becoming

a mainstay in the Battery's lineup at the holding midfield position since joining the team in March.

"He's a young guy without a ton of professional experience, but I was impressed with Tyler from day one," Watson said. "You could tell almost immediately that he was a good player."

So far, so good.

In nine games with the Battery, Hemming has three assists, including a couple of helpers last weekend in two games against Austin. Hemming, 24, was named the USL First Division player of the week for his efforts against the Aztex.

"Tyler is a guy that wants to get better and play at the highest level and we want all of our guys to want that and have that kind of drive," said Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser. "He's very good with the ball at his feet. He sees the field very well and he can distribute the ball with either foot. He's very good defensively, but he can join the attack and become a dangerous player. He's also very good in set pieces."

It is Hemming's versatility that was a major reason behind his first call-up to the Canadian National Team last month. Hemming got to play 23 minutes in Canadian's 1-0 victory over Cyprus in a friendly match.

"It was a great experience," Hemming said. "We were up a goal, so we were mainly defending the whole time. I got to touch the ball maybe three or four times, but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. It was my first time with the full national team and to get called up and to actually get on the field was a huge honor. Hopefully, it's the first of many."

A four-year stater at tiny Hartwick College in upstate New York, Hemming was the two-time Atlantic Soccer Conference Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006.

Hemming was taken by Major League Soccer's Toronto FC with the 40th overall pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. It was almost a homecoming for the London, Ontario native, who grew up less than two hours away from BMO Field in Toronto.

"My parents were able to drive up and see every game and that was great," Hemming said. "The great part about playing in Toronto was that my family could come see me play anytime they wanted."

The only problem with that was Hemming didn't get a much of an opportunity to get on the field. Hemming played in just seven games with Toronto.

"I loved the fans and I loved the city, but I didn't get as much playing time as I would have liked," Hemming said. "It didn't work out in the end. I knew I needed to play more to grow as a player."

In September, Hemming got his wish when he was offered a tryout with Finland's Tampere United. He played in four games, before an injury cut short his season.

It was then that Watson made the push to sign Hemming.

"I'm glad I came here," Hemming said. "I knew to become a better player, to grow as a player, I was going to have get more minutes. (Anhaeuser) has given me a great opportunity."

Hemming has the unenviable task of trying to replace Osvaldo Alonso, who starred in the midfield for the Battery a year ago. Alonso, who was selected to the USL First Division First Team last season, now plays for the MLS Seattle Sounders.

"I've seen (Alonso) play on TV a couple of times for Seattle this year," Hemming said. "I never got a chance to see him play for the Battery, but I've heard from a lot of people around here how good he was. I'm really not trying to replace (Alonso). I can't worry about that. I've got to go out and play my game."

Anhaeuser said Hemming and Alonso have many of the same qualities on the field.

"They're definitely two quality players, but they have different styles," Anhaeuser said. "Osvaldo liked to push the ball up the field and jump into the attack. Tyler certainly has the ability to jump into the play when he's needed, but he has been more of a defender throughout his career, so he's more likely to stay back and be a little more responsible."

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com and check out the Charleston Battery's 'Battery Shots' blog at, www.postandcourier/blogs/battery.