Serioux returns to big changes

FRISCO, Texas -- Much has changed since Adrian Serioux last put on the hoops for FC Dallas.

Serioux last saw action for FCD on June 6 at New England, when he started and played 64 minutes. He's missed just two games since, while with the Canadian national team, but when Serioux returned to the FCD training field Monday, it was with a new head coach in charge in Schellas Hyndman.

"It definitely is (weird to come back with a new coach)," Serioux said. "Finding out who the coach was while I was gone was kind of unexpected to know that they found somebody so quickly. Coming in, the past few days of training has been great. He (Hyndman) really has a great sense of knowledge of the game and what he wants from us. He wants to get the best from us and hopefully raise our expectations and level of play."

Under Hyndman, the Hoops have started training earlier in the morning and the sessions have also been more intense than they were under interim coach Marco Ferruzzi, who took over for Steve Morrow after he was dismissed on May 20.

"It's definitely harder to wake up earlier," Serioux said. "You try to beat the heat, but I think that either way, we're still going to get stuck in the heat. Right now, the intensity has been raised to get our level of play quicker than it's been in the last few games. It's not only changing our style but putting in a little aspect of fitness. Hopefully that will allow us to outdo some teams that we play. Sometimes, we look like we're dying toward the end of the game and try to come on hard. Hopefully, we can start off the game at a certain level and end at the same level."

Another change has come in the team's formation. When Serioux last played for FCD, it was on the left of back three. On Saturday night at New York, Hyndman went with Blake Wagner at left back in a 4-4-2 formation. That means Serioux could be moving to a more central role in the back with Drew Moor moving to the right flank, or he could moving into a defensive midfield role.

"I would like to continue to look at Blake (Wagner)," Hyndman said. "You make a change because somebody is either not performing to the ability that you want them to perform at or they're not able to add the strengths that what you're looking for like being able to attack out of the back and being a strong defender. I think Adrian (Serioux) will probably go where we need him the most but I'm glad to have him back."

No matter where he plays, Serioux clearly has value.

"I'm definitely comfortable in either position," he said. "But at the same time, it's still difficult when you're one of those players able to adapt to certain positions and are expected to raise your play right off the bat. Sometimes it takes a couple of games for me to get back in the couple of things playing defensive midfield. Wherever I am needed or he feels that I am best suited, I will just have to go out there and do my best."

Hyndman does like the toughness that Serioux brings to the Hoops every time he steps onto the field.

"Many people call them enforcers," he said. "In Brazil, they call them talent hunters. They go out, find the talent and hunt them down. I think with Adrian (Serioux), that is a more comfortable position for him, as a holding midfielder, defensive midfielder. He can also get involved in the attack and can connect players. He's athletic enough to do that. Adrian has the capability of playing both positions but it come down to where we need him the most."

While away with Canada, Serioux had a pair of familiar faces as teammates in Houston's Dwayne De Rosario, a longtime friend, and Pat Onstad, with whom he played on the Dynamo's 2006 MLS Cup championship team. The three will meet up again in short order, as FC Dallas takes on the Dynamo at Robertson Stadium on MLS Primetime Thursday.

"It's always great to go play with your national team," Serioux said. "I've been with a couple of guys on Houston. Dwayne (De Rosario) is a good friend of mine. It's one of those things where when we're playing together, we're the best of friends but when we're not, we take our job very seriously and the team that we play for. It's just going to be a battle out there."