Nick LaBrocca finds a home with Chivas USA

After Thursday’s practice, Chivas USA midfielder Nick LaBrocca trudged toward the stairs, sweating from a session that ran abnormally long.

But before he could escape to the parking lot, a public relations director snatched him up. LaBrocca’s morning was far from over. He had multiple reporters waiting to talk to him, and a radio spot to do after that.

It’s a change of pace for the journeyman turned All-Star prospect, who stopped short of admitting he’s on a hot streak. LaBrocca has scored three goals in three games, and three of his team’s four goals this month.

“I’m just trying to fit in with the guys,” he said with a sheepish grin.

LaBrocca, 26, is on his third team in his four-year career. Over that span he has scattered his playing time all over the field, plugging a variety of holes on an as-needed basis. But when Chivas traded for his services, Coach Robin Fraser said he knew LaBrocca had the smarts, skills and motor to be more than a role player.

“When we brought him here, the idea was to make him a focal point of our attack,” Fraser said. “And he’s really grown into the role.”

At the midway point of the season, LaBrocca already has six goals, one more than his career total before this season. He has started all 19 games for the Chivas, and just as important, he’s stayed in the same position.

“I’m getting comfortable in certain spots with my teammates,” he said. “That’s definitely the big difference. ? Normally I’ve been bounced from position to position to help teams out, and it’s a nice change for me. This is a great opportunity for me to have some stability.”

Stability for LaBrocca has translated into team stability. LaBrocca’s three goals have helped Chivas end a three-game skid, and suddenly the playoffs seem possible -- even as the team prepares for a five-game trip beginning July 31.

But before the players pack their bags for Dallas, LaBrocca is hoping he’ll get a trip home to New York. The midfielder is being mentioned as a potential All-Star reserve for the game against Manchester United on July 27.

“I’m pulling for him to get whatever sort of credit is available to him, because I think he’s been excellent,” Fraser said. “And in spite of that, he’s been very humble. He’s just scratched the service. He’s only going to get better.”