FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas hit the road again for the next portion of their 2009 preseason, heading to Brazil on Wednesday, where they will train for the next 10 days and play three games before returning to Frisco on March 7.
FCD's first game will be on March 2 against the under-20 team from their South American partner, Clube Atletico Paranaense. Two days later, FCD meets the full first team from CAP in the first leg of the US/Brazil Challenge. The trip concludes with a match against Brazilian side J Malucelli on March 6.
"I think this is another great opportunity for us to work on our team chemistry, building the team together," FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "I really enjoyed the Florida trip (last week) because we were all together and training together. When we go to Brazil, we're at one of the better training sites in Brazil. We'll also have some down time and some games. Not only are we taking our players, but we've got four players that will be showing up there as trialists. So we're still looking for maybe more. We're also taking three or four of our younger academy players to give them a chance to see soccer in a very rich environment."
Even though FCD announced on Tuesday that they had signed CAP attacking midfielder David Ferreira to a contract, Hyndman admits that several of the trialists coming to South America play that same role.
"A couple of them are No. 10s," he said. "The others are second strikers and flank players. They're all from Central or South America."
During their stay in Florida, Brazilian Marcelo Saragosa, who is slated to be FCD's starting right back, suffered an injury, which Hyndman and the team staff continue to monitor very closely.
"It's always serious when you get a knock," Hyndman said. "He banged knees with a player against FIU. Our first game, we're playing without Pablo (Ricchetti), so now I'm looking at who can play in that defensive midfield spot. I put him in there for a little bit and he got his knee banged. He just said to me that it was hurting. Of course, the first thing in your mind is that it's his meniscus and exactly where the repair was done. They did an MRI on it and it shows a little bit of a contusion there but we're not sure if it's the meniscus or a bruise.
"The doctor's recommendation is to let Marcelo go with us to Brazil and I agree. He got a shot in it yesterday and it's starting to feel better already. I think if it's his meniscus, it doesn't feel better and it's there. So we're taking him to Brazil for training and keeping our eyes on him. If it doesn't get better, then we're flying him back for surgery. I think that's going to take about a week to figure out what we're doing. The doctor is coming with us, so we'll have a close eye on him."
One FCD player who could benefit from the trip is midfielder Andre Rocha, who last year led the team with eight assists. The Brazilian came to the club on loan from CAP but has shown a lack of fitness since reporting for preseason camp about two weeks ago.
"I think he's not put himself in a real favorable position because he's not fit," Hyndman said. "As a coach starting preseason, I've really encouraged guys to come in better shape and we're really worked hard at it. He's missed 3-1/2 to 4 weeks. So he's doing more, he's doing extra but I don't think I can put him on the field for 90 minutes and count on him. Maybe it's 20 minutes. Maybe it's work his way up to a starting position. Right now, I don't think I can put him on the field with his fitness. But it's not just his fitness, it's his sharpness."
Should Rocha not be ready, Dax McCarty is a viable option. He performed well in the No. 10 spot before Ferreira's signing but can also play on the right, where Rocha plays.
"He's been playing very well," he said. "I think Dax has done enough for himself to be some place on the field. I think he's done enough for himself that we need to reward him, not punish him because we got another player."
Not surprisingly, the FCD players are equally excited about venturing to South America for a third consecutive year.
"It's a great trip," forward Kenny Cooper said. "CAP is a great host and their facilities are amazing. We get some good games in down there. It's been a great trip in the past and I'm sure it will be again this year."
McCarty agrees. "It's always a good trip," he said. "The one thing you know you'll get is very good competition because Brazilian teams are typically very good teams with very skillful players and they give you a different challenge. It's going to be another bonding experience. We're going to be with the guys on the team a lot."
Besides facing great competition, FCD will also look to further strengthen their team chemistry.
"I think the chemistry is great," Cooper said. "I think everyone is enjoying everyone else's company. I think that there has been good communication with on the field things. It really seems that we are coming together as a group and getting to know each other better. I think that these trips help with all that team camaraderie and to get new players better. Everyone gets to know everybody else as people but also as teammates on the field. I'm sure this trip will help with that."
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