After over a decade spent as a flank attacker in Europe, New York Red Bull Dave van den Bergh is getting his feet wet at a new position that allows him to use familiar skills.

The Amsterdam native made a name for himself as a traditional Piet Keizer-style Dutch left winger, the type to run the touchline and shirk a defender before sending a deadly cross into the box. These days, however, he is learning to play fullback in the Big Apple.

After a rough beginning to Van den Bergh's days on the backline, the experiment brought on injuries and spotty displays in the Red Bull defense is working. As evidenced by Saturday's 2-2 draw at Chicago, the 31-year old is proving some old dogs can indeed learn new tricks.

In addition to scoring the opener, Van den Bergh whipped in several fine crosses and helped shut down the Fire attack down the right so well, the home side spent most of the evening trying the left side.

"That's the best game I've seen Dave play for us, he was fantastic," New York coach Bruce Arena told ASD. "His passing is always good, tonight it was very good and his defending was excellent."

Van den Bergh began with hometown giants Ajax, but stuck behind the likes of Marc Overmars and Peter van Vossen, was confined to 12 first team games with the Sons of God.

He moved on to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, whom he helped gain promotion to La Liga. With Kasey Keller as a teammate, the lanky winger took part in earning the club their first (and to date, last and only) UEFA Cup berth in 2000, but left for FC Utrecht at season's end.

Despite being from nearby Amsterdam, Van den Bergh became a fan favorite at Nieuwe Galgenwaard. He scored 29 times in six Eredivisie seasons as a reliable flank threat, and also struck the only goal as Utreg claimed a second consecutive Dutch Cup in 2004.

Compelled to raise his family in the United States, he headed to Kansas City with his American wife midway through the 2006 MLS season. Van den Bergh scored three goals in 13 appearances for the Wizards, but was traded to New York for a draft pick in the offseason.

Now a regular starter with the Red Bulls, Van den Bergh is growing comfortable at left back. "Coach needs me here, so this is where I'll play," he told ASD.

Though he still gets to make wing raids to send in his trademark driven curled crosses, Van den Bergh doesn't need to think too hard to come up with the toughest part about making the backline transition.

"The urge to go forward," he blurts. "I need to temper that a little but, contain myself. I need to not want to go forward all the time. That's the most difficult part for me."

"(Converted center back Seth) Stammler next to me keeps me in line. I have the freedom to go, but sometimes he pulls me back."

Of course, any move from the Eredivisie to MLS will also require some adjustment, but Van den Bergh claims it hasn't been a tooth puller.

"Soccer's not that different here, or anywhere else for that matter," he asserted. "It's still 11 v 11, you still play 90 minutes. Every league has its tendencies, but that's to be expected."

"I'm having a good time (in MLS). Hopefully, the team is happy with me and my input, and we can do something big this season."

Although countryman Ronald Waterreus is also a Red Bull, Van den Bergh can't imagine he is a pioneer in some sort of Dutch rush overseas.

"(MLS) is not really known in Holland," he admits. "It's not a route that they would typically take. I think this country has got more than enough talented young players (that they don't need) to look abroad all the time."

However, having Waterreus around is enjoyable, especially when it comes time to discuss traditional Dutch pastimes like cycling or speed skating that don't draw much excitement from his American teammates.

"It's no doubt that it's fun to have someone around to relate to about news from back home," admitted Van den Bergh. "When something happens back in Holland, we can talk about it."

"I love watching college football, but speed skating... ? I don't think anyone besides me and Ronald have interest in that," he laughs. "That kind of stuff, we share and it's fun."