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HOUSTON - Versatility has become the middle name for Geoff Cameron.

An outside back, a defensive midfielder and now a defender.

The Attleboro native, a second-year member of MLS Houston Dynamo, has such vast talent, has developed such an all-around game, he has a new role.

"I played it a little last year, it's a big change," said the soon-to-be 24-year old Cameron, who will be in the starting lineup for the sixth time this season this afternoon at Gillette Stadium for the Dynamo in their MLS match against the New England Revolution.

And there will be plenty of orange jerseys, many, perhaps, with 'CAMERON' emblazoned across the back nameplate. Cameron sought out 25 tickets for himself, for family and former University of Rhode Island teammates. His folks - Diane and Scott - have more than a fistful of tickets in their possession. Attleboro High soccer coach Peter Pereira, Cameron's former mentor, and a flock of members from the Attleboro Youth Soccer program will be there rooting for Cameron.

Oddly enough, Cameron made his MLS debut last season, in Foxboro, for Houston in the season opener March 29, coming on as a reserve.

Since then Cameron has been coming on to such an extent that the Dynamo don't know where they'd be without the very versatile, rugged and strong professional sophomore.

Coming on to such an extent that Cameron was the Dynamo's Rookie of the Year; that Cameron was one of three finalists for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award; that Cameron's first career MLS goal, against F.C. Dallas last April, was one of five finalists for MLS Goal of the Year; that Cameron was invited to train with the U.S. National Team.

"I'm doing pretty well right now, the coaches have trust in me," said Cameron from Houston earlier this week. "They know that I'm a midfielder at heart."

But, with Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson on the injured list, the Houston staff had no second thoughts about inserting Cameron into the starting lineup and onto the defensive backline. Cameron has played all 450 minutes thus far for Houston.

Cameron proved his value and worth to the Dynamo as a rookie, appearing in 23 matches, eight of them starting assignments. And he also started in nine matches for the Houston "reserve" team, which won its respective MLS title.

Cameron appeared in two Champions Cup matches for Houston; played for the Dynamo in its U.S. Open Cup and SuperLiga matches, playing every minute of all five matches, Houston advancing to the championship.

Cameron played at right midfield in those matches, played at a center back spot in the semifinals and also at defensive midfield. The more that he played, the more confident he became of his professional skill level and the more confidence the Houston coaching staff expressed in him.

"I played at outside midfield in the preseason, I can play a number of positions," said Cameron. "I'm kind of like a utility player. I enjoy it, as long as I'm on the field, I'm happy about it," said Cameron of acquiring a new position. "Hopefully, I'm keeping it." The Dynamo has won just one of its five starts thus far, allowing five goals and dispatched catalytic midfielder Dwayne DeRosario to Toronto. "With Stuart Holden, Brad Davis, Brian Mullen, we're coming along," said Cameron.

Cameron was summoned by the U.S. National Team in January, to serve as a training partner for the team. But, four days into the sessions, he suffered a "stage two" tear of a hamstring and never returned to the field. He flew back to Houston for treatment, not surgery and remained in Texas for preseason training.

"I tried to work out, but I really couldn't," said Cameron. "I was really fit going out there. With that kind of tear, which was up near my butt, it's a lot easier to heal.

"I was in Houston from January 12th on. It helped me because I had more of a daily routine. I was getting treatment. I'd go to the gym, I was on the bike twice a day. I was keeping my fitness. That was good because I was in the habit of doing the right things.

"Then once preseason training began, I was fine and I was in great shape too."

For an unheralded third-round draft pick, who attended Attleboro High and played in the Atlantic 10 Conference (where he earned "midfielder of the year" as a URI senior), Cameron has certainly made the most of his chances.

In truth, with U.S. National Team duty likely in the offing for Holden, Davis and Mullen, it wouldn't surprise Cameron that he goes forward, to a central midfield or attacking midfield role. Just like his career, going forward.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play professional soccer," said Cameron. "I remember going to the old Foxboro Stadium and watching the Revolution, with Walter Zenga and Joe-Max Moore.

"Coming back last year to Gillette Stadium and to play for the first time in my career, it was pretty cool. Now I'm back again, as a starter this time. With all my family, my buddies from URI and friends from the Attleboro area, I expect to see a lot of Houston jerseys in the stands."