TFC rookie idolizes Barcelona's Pique

Aaron Maund has a good head on his shoulders.

Maund, a recent first-round draft pick of Toronto FC, is eager to learn from the team's veteran players, routinely hitting them up for advice and listening intently whenever one of them pulls him aside.

And as far as his soccer idol is concerned, the rookie defender could hardly have picked anyone better to pattern himself after than Gerard Pique, the star starting centre-back for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

Turns out Pique is Maund's favourite player.

"He's such a great one-on-one defender and his passing out of the back is amazing. I love watching Barcelona in general, but I tend to focus on Gerard Pique a lot. He's amazing," Maund said

A 21-year-old native of Dorchester, Mass., Maund was a standout defender for Notre Dame, starting in 77 games during his four-year NCAA career. Needing to bolster its back line after a defensively-porous 2011 campaign, TFC selected Maund with the 12th overall pick in last month's MLS SuperDraft.

Maund arrived in Toronto last week for the start of the Reds' pre-season training camp. Thus far, it's been a bit of a soccer education for the former Fighting Irish star, who has had to adjust to the speed of MLS players.

"Physically, it's more of the same (compared to college soccer). I think what the difference is is the speed of play, and mentally it's also tough. You have to think quicker, be smarter with your movements and with where you're moving the ball," Maund explained.

Thus far, he's spent part of the team's training sessions marking two of TFC's fastest players, Joao Plata and Reggie Lambe. The experience has proven to be a valuable learning experience for the Notre Dame product.

"I'm on the tall side, so Plata and Reggie Lambe, they're short and quick (and) you have to anticipate where they're going because you're not going to get the first step past them," Maund explained. "It's tough, but I think I'm getting use to it and getting better at it."

At six-feet-one and weighing 185 pounds, it hardly comes as a surprise that Maund cites his natural athleticism as his greatest strength. But he also feels he brings other important qualities to the table, including leadership skills.

"I think I read the game really well, and it helps me anticipate rather than react to things so I can stay a step ahead," said Maund, who captained the Fighting Irish during his senior season.

Still, Maund understands he's a rookie who has yet to play a single game as a professional, so he's been eager to soak up as much advice as he can from TFC's veterans, including Dutch forward Danny Koevermans.

"In practice a lot I match up against Koevermans, so he'll bring me aside and tell me what to, and it's very helpful," Maund said. "I'm just looking to anyone that can help out and give me some advice. I'm all ears."

As far as what coach Aron Winter has planned for him this season, Maund said the Dutchman is "still trying to shape the team" and no promises have been made about playing time.

Unlike midfielder Luis Silva, who TFC picked fourth overall and have said they expect to be a starter this season, Maund is more of a long-term project for the Reds.

"He's defensively good, he's sharp and he has good skills. (But) it's the same with our academy players -- when you're coming from college, you need some time (to develop) because the level is much higher," Winter offered.

"But in the end, I think he has the quality to become a very good defender."