PURCHASE
TICKETS: FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, March 19 at 7:30 pm
Tweet and Lowdown (a season prediction in 140 characters or less)
The South American style of fast & attacking soccer returns with David Ferreira & Co. A deep roster & new forwards will lead the way.
Setting the Scene
After a record-setting 2010 season that saw FC Dallas reach the MLS Cup final, record a 19-game unbeaten streak and a 12-game unbeaten road streak, the team looks to continue that success in 2011 without four key players: defender Heath Pearce, midfielder Dax McCarty, attacker Atiba Harris and forward Jeff Cunningham.
Head coach Schellas Hyndman expects US national team members and second-year players Eric Alexander and Zach Loyd, as well as Brazilian Jackson Goncalves, to step up once again, as they all did during various player injuries in 2010.
With Cunningham’s contract not renewed, the team addressed their need at striker, signing 18-year-old Colombian Fabián Castillo from Deportivo Cali.
Also, Home Grown product, forward Ruben Luna, has continued his goalscoring ways this preseason and is poised for a breakout season with the first team.
Hyndman also re-signed Honduran Marvin Chavez, who stormed through the second half of the 2010 season, registering three goals and four assists in all competitions.
Add new players Andrew Jacobson and Ricardo Villar to the midfield crew that includes 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira, and the FCD coaching staff hopes followers will forget about the impact McCarty had on the center of the pitch.
Key Changes
Players in: Fabian Castillo (Deportivo Cali, Colombia), Andrew Jacobson (Philadelphia), Ricardo Villar (SpVgg Unterhaching, Germany), Bobby Warshaw (Stanford University), Chris Seitz (Seattle), Jonathan Top (Home Grown), Richard Sanchez (Home Grown)
Players out: Darío Sala (contract not renewed); Jeff Cunningham (Columbus), Dax McCarty (D.C. United), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Atiba Harris (Vancouver), Jason Yeisley (released)
Star Attraction: David Ferreira
Simply put, the 2010 MVP, Best XI and All-Star selection is the glue that keeps FC Dallas together on the pitch. Opponents know this, which is the reason behind his MLS-leading 84 fouls suffered in 2010.
Ferreira’s consistency from game to game, low center of gravity preventing monstrous defenders from taking the ball, strong work ethic and timely through-balls are the oil to Hyndman’s well-greased machine. With a deeper midfield this year, look for Hyndman to keep Ferreira from logging 90 minutes every game but still giving the same gritty performance.
Unsung Hero: Daniel Hernandez
If you’re an attacking opponent in the FC Dallas final third, there’s a great chance you’re going to run into the team captain. He’s the first ‘1’ in Hyndman’s 4-1-4-1 formation and he always makes his presence known.
In 2010, Hernandez was one of six FC Dallas players to surpass 2,000 minutes played and played every minute of FC Dallas’ MLS Cup final run despite having a torn lateral meniscus. He says he’s ready to go this year and, as the vocal leader of FCD both on and off the field, his name will be heard frequently.
Ready for Primetime: Ruben Luna
Mention his name around an FCD fan, and they will say that Luna is the future. He is a product of the FC Dallas Development Academy, a Mexican U-20 national team member who leaves his passion on the pitch. He’s only 19, but he has learned from veteran strikers like Milton Rodriguez on how to be the quintessential professional.
Luna had six goals during the preseason, including a floating header into the upper 90 against Houston in the Disney Pro Classic final. While he may not start immediately this season, the goals and starts will come to the delight of both the coaching staff and fans.
Storylines to Watch:
The most popular headline for FC Dallas this preseason has been the acquisition of Castillo. A member of the Colombian U-20 national team and product of the Deportivo Cali system, the young striker comes to a Dallas side that has a style of play that suits his speed. As the team awaits his arrival, it will be interesting to see how coaches transition him to MLS’ physicality.
TICKETS: FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire, March 19 at 7:30 pm
Fans hope Castillo will help erase the last image many remember from the 2010 MLS Cup: the look of disgust on George John’s face after his own-goal against Colorado. With John recovering from ankle surgery, center back Ugo Ihemelu currently rehabbing from a sports hernia and natural midfielder Brek Shea stepping into the left center back spot, the defense will need to keep a solid line to prevent opposing teams counter attacks from getting to Kevin Hartman.
What He said:
“We want to go a step further and bring home that trophy, and I’m confident with the way the team has looked this preseason that we are going to continue playing great soccer.”
– Team captain Daniel Hernandez
If Everything Goes Right:
With this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and Under-20 World Cup, FC Dallas will likely lose several players from their starting XI to international duty. Luckily, the defense, midfield and forward positions have such depth (given some luck in health) that they may not miss a beat. When FC Dallas went down with injuries during their 19-game unbeaten streak last season, players like Alexander and Loyd shone.
They will need to do so again this year. If that happens, and if Avila and experienced Brazilian Villar show consistency, FCD can make a deep postseason run, challenging Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles in the race back to MLS Cup.