Of the 22 players who have started a game for the Syracuse men’s soccer team this season, 11 have started at midfield. Aside from sophomore Mark Brode, not a single midfielder has started every game. So there is no core to the midfield, no established formula.

To outsiders, this means a lack of consistency in the center of the field from game to game. To players, it means working hard to earn one of the five starting spots.

‘It’s based on how the guys do in practice,’ SU head coach Ian McIntrye said. ‘Those guys that perform well in practice start the game, and those that play well in the game keep their position. But also it’s not quite as simple as that. It’s matchups and the other team and who we feel will have the opportunity to provide the opposition with some matchup problems.’

Freshman Stephen Krachie seems to be doing something right. Ever since he got the chance to replace a sick Nick Bibbs in the game against St. John’s on Oct. 13, Krachie has played in every game. He started the last two, and McIntyre said he has a good chance of doing so again Wednesday against No. 2 Louisville.

The freshman has begun to set himself apart. McIntyre said his range of passing and speed has contributed to his rise through the ranks. He joins Brode at the defensive midfielder position, and the two have meshed well over the past few games. They have a similar style of play, both making simple passes. It is too soon to know if the pairing will last, but it has potential to create that midfield core.

‘He defends real well,’ Brode said. ‘He does a lot of running. I know the past few games, having him in there, I’ve done less running because he’s done so much running for me. He’s good in the air. He helps me out with head balls. And he plays simple. He gets the ball and just plays it to the guy next to him, which is good.’

But keeping Krachie at defensive mid mixes up the midfield yet again. Bibbs, who Krachie replaced in the St. John’s game, is now looking for another position, possibly among the defense.

SU’s top scorer, Nick Roydhouse, could be allowed more freedom with Krachie behind him. Roydhouse traditionally plays offensive center midfielder, but in practice Monday he was moved out wide. With Roydhouse not focusing as much on defending, he can set up more attacks for the Orange.

This still leaves two spots open for the rest of the eight midfielders. Among those attacking midfielders, there is likely to still be constant changes to the balance of the team.

‘Definitely the chemistry in there gets a little switched up when new people come in,’ Brode said. ‘Like (Mawuena Agbossoumonde) is a really skillful player, and he’s different than Chris Saul, who’s a quick player, and Krachie, who’s more of a big player who’s really good at defending. So it kind of mixes it up a little bit.’

Establishing a core among the middle three will settle down a lot of those mix-ups. That could mean keeping Roydhouse in the middle or finding someone else who can move the ball forward. The numerous midfielders do provide an advantage in terms of energy on the field. When one player begins to slow or make mistakes, he can easily be replaced by one of the many others.

To prevent being easily replaceable, Krachie must do what McIntyre said he looks for as he makes his lineups. He must continue to do well in practice and build on his performance in Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Rutgers.

‘Just build on Saturday,’ Krachie said. ‘It was a tough loss, I thought we played well. … Just keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve got to play the ball a little forward more. I’ve been playing it a little back. But that’s just having confidence to be able to hit it long.’

alguggen@syr.edu