FRISCO, Texas -- It was a busy offseason for FC Dallas. Head coach Schellas Hyndman and team brass have upgraded the roster by acquiring left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh from New York, signing Colombian attacking midfielder David Ferreira and adding defensive depth in Steve Purdy and Danny Torres.
However, with FCD's opener with Brimstone Cup rival Chicago looming, it is time for the club to start putting it together on the field and show that 2009 will be much different than 2008, when FCD missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
One problem with last year's team was a lack of strong chemistry, which has not been an issue during preseason.
"I think the team chemistry is better than what it was last year," Hyndman said. "I think players are working hard for each other and the team is excited. I think the team has good focus. When we look at things we want to work on, they have really accepted and embraced them."
His players agree.
• Preview Quick Hits: Chicago Fire
CHIVAS USA • Chivas set sights on trophies
• Preview Quick Hits: Chivas USA
COLUMBUS CREW • Crew changing little in '09
• Preview Quick Hits: Columbus
D.C. UNITED • Team chemistry paramount for D.C.
• Preview Quick Hits: D.C. United
FC DALLAS • New faces look to make big impact
• Preview Quick Hits: FC Dallas
SJ EARTHQUAKES • Revamped Quakes feeling offensive
• Preview Quick Hits: San Jose
LOS ANGELES GALAXY • Roster changes give Galaxy new look
• Preview Quick Hits: LA Galaxy
TORONTO FC • Reds look to boost scoring numbers
• Preview Quick Hits: Toronto FC
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
"It's probably the best locker room since I've been here, this being my fifth year," said FCD defender Drew Moor. "There is great character in the locker room and a little bit of everything. There is intensity, humor and leadership. There are all different age groups. It's looking good."
Forward Kenny Cooper, who finished second in MLS last year with 18 goals, concurs.
"It's a fantastic locker room," he said. "I think that the Brazil trip and the Florida trip (were) all good for building team chemistry. I think that maybe when you get to know people on a more personal level off the field, you might play a little more for them on the field. So I think that the team camaraderie and chemistry is great. Hopefully we will show that on the field with our performances and fight for each other."
After being hired last June, Hyndman also said he wanted to see more accountability from his players, an area in which he has seen measurable results.
"We've talked about it many times," he said. "The game of soccer is a game of mistakes. At every level, people make mistakes and there's nothing wrong with making mistakes as long as you acknowledge that you make a mistake. I think the group has started realizing that mistakes are part of the game. Trying not to make the same mistake again is part of it but so is acknowledging that you make one and improving so it doesn't happen again."
Another trend from 2008 that has continued in preseason is that the club has no problem scoring goals, but also has shown a propensity for allowing them.
"We don't seem to have a problem scoring goals," Hyndman said. "We just have a problem of giving up goals. So our focus is on trying to prevent teams from scoring. We realize that good teams are going to score but we don't want to give them goals."
FCD also had problems defending set pieces last year, allowing a number of goals on corners and free kicks, an adjustment that remains an ongoing one.
"It's still a challenge for us," Hyndman said. "I think we're bigger and stronger. The guys who are getting beat aren't our bigger and stronger guys. It's more of the weaker guys or the guys who aren't mentally into it. So what we've got to start doing is holding players more accountable."
Up top, FCD is set with Cooper set to start alongside Jeff Cunningham, who had five goals in 11 games after coming over from Toronto FC last summer. In the midfield, van den Bergh will start on the left side and be looked to deliver plenty of great balls to Cooper and Cunningham.
Pablo Ricchetti, who will miss the season opener on suspension, is again the holding midfielder and will wear the captain's armband. Ferreira figures to start at the No. 10 spot with the right flank manned by either Dax McCarty or Andre Rocha. McCarty led FCD in assists two seasons ago with seven while Rocha led the club a year ago with eight.
In the back, things are a bit more in flux. Marcelo Saragosa had won the starting job at right back before he was sidelined by a knee injury. In his absence, Moor will shift over from center back. Torres will move into Moor's spot alongside fellow newcomer Purdy with Blake Wagner starting on the left side. However, once Saragosa returns, Torres could displace Wagner in the starting 11.
"With Marcelo getting injured and moving Adrian (Serioux), that has left that right back position open," Hyndman said. "Probably the best player that can go out there and play that position is Drew . It's not his best or favorite position, but I think he helps the team the most by going there. I think Steve (Purdy) and Torres will play in the center because they're both pretty good ball winners on the ground and in the air. They've seemed to play well when we've had them together and then Blake (Wagner) on the left side."
Dario Sala, who received a multiple-year contract extension last fall, will again start in goal. He missed a career-low two games due to injury a year ago. The Argentinean veteran has returned in great shape and looks to again be rock solid between the posts.
After missing out on last fall's playoffs, the goal for the 2009 team is a simple one.
"I think our first objective needs to be getting to the playoffs," van den Bergh said. "It doesn't matter if it's as a first or an eighth team. That's our goal and the main reason we started preseason two weeks early. That should be the goal for each and every guy in the locker room, to make the playoffs. I consider it a failure to not make it."
With the team's preseason camp having come to an end and preparations beginning for the season opener, Hyndman still feels his team is a much improved product over last year.
"I think we're a better team than we were last year," he said. "It's a long season and you're going to have your ups, downs and injuries. I think the boys have come out and been aggressive. We're getting there."
Moor and van den Bergh agree that they are both ready for the start of the '09 campaign.
"It's time," Moor said. "This is an exciting time for everybody. Preseason always seems long and it's tough. Hopefully it prepared us mentally and physically for the first few months. I think this preseason has been very good. Guys have been very focused and everybody is ready to go."
Said van den Bergh: "We finally have our full roster together now and can start working towards our first objective, which is Chicago at home. I think the team is in place and everyone knows what his role is. It's just a matter of executing on the field."
No comments:
Post a Comment