FC Dallas 2007 quick hits
Pizza Hut Park (Capacity: 20,500)
2006 record: 16-12-4, 52 points. First in Western Conference
GF: 48 (2nd in MLS)
GA: 44 (9th in MLS)
Finish: Lost to Colorado Rapids in Western Conference Semifinals (aggregate 4-4; 5-4 on penalty kicks).
Head Coach: Steve Morrow (1st year)
Key Departures: Richard Mulrooney, Ronnie O'Brien, Simo Valakari, Greg Vanney.
Key Additions: Adrian Serioux, Juan Carlos Toja, Anthony Wallace.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Dario Sala: The Argentinian 'keeper will sit out the first six games of 2007 due to a suspension following an incident after FCD's loss to Colorado in the second leg of the West Semifinals last fall, but Sala was solid as the FCD starter between the posts last year and should reclaim his spot once he returns in May. In his absence, Morrow will likely opt for Shaka Hislop, but the Premiership veteran has been inconsistent since signing with the Hoops last summer, leaving the door open for athletic second-year 'keeper Ray Burse, Jr., who has been impressive thus far in preseason.
DEFENDERS
Chris Gbandi: FCD's 2006 Defender of the Year will miss at least the 2007 season opener because of a red card received in the season-ending playoff loss to the Rapids last fall. He also suffered a grade two ankle sprain during the Hoops' preseason trip to Brazil and could miss an additional game or two but should reclaim his status as the club's top defender once he returns to the field.
Drew Moor: The Indiana University product started nearly the entire season for FCD in 2006, making his first start in Week Four and starting 20 consecutive weeks before having to sit because of yellow card accumulation. Moor proved to be a solid contributor in the middle for the Hoops, usually playing alongside Greg Vanney, now in Colorado. Moor will now be able to show how much he learned from his now-former veteran teammate and big things are expected of him this year. Last year, Moor also showed his worth on the attack with one goal and one assist and late in the year, showed some fire that was mostly missing from the FCD back line.
Clarence Goodson: No FCD player had a more interesting year than Goodson did in 2006. He began the year as a starting center back, then lost his starting job after a disastrous performance at Colorado in Week Three where he scored an own goal and committed a hard foul inside his own box to set up a game-tying penalty kick goal. To his credit, Goodson bounced back and worked his way back into the fray late in the year and actually had a goal in FCD's second playoff game against the Rapids. He looks to have a new focus for 2007 and if he has put everything from last year behind him, will be a key part of any success that the Hoops back line has this season. Adrian Serioux, who was acquired from Toronto FC, could take Goodson's spot once he returns in mid-summer but the member of the 2006 MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo is on the shelf until then after undergoing knee surgery in February.
Bobby Rhine: Most likely Rhine, who is FCD's longest-tenured player, having been with the team since 1999, will start the season at right back. But unlike last year, when the veteran wasn't pushed much, third-year back Alex Yi will be pushing him hard for playing time. Rhine, a former forward who converted to defense in 2005, brings a bit of offense to the right side while Yi, a third-year pro out of UCLA, brings a taller and more physical presence on that side of the field. Morrow could still give Yi the starting nod to start the year, but at this time, it looks like he will go with Rhine, at least for the time being.
MIDFIELDERS
Marcelo Saragosa: Saragosa played well in the central midfield for FCD after the Hoops acquired him from the L.A. Galaxy last July. The defensive-minded Brazilian again brings some toughness to the middle of the park but could be challenged by Pablo Richetti, whom the Hoops are close to signing. The Argentinian has been impressive in his trials thus far and if that trend continues, he could take Saragosa's starting spot early on in the season.
Juan Carlos Toja: When FCD traded Richard Mulrooney in late March, they did so because they wanted to free a spot for Colombian midfielder Toja, whom the Hoops signed on Feb. 28. Morrow sees Toja playing on the left side, which should greatly benefit the left-footed player who has a knack for joining the attack and getting on the ball. Controlling possession in the midfield was a big problem for the Hoops in 2006 and the addition of both Richetti and Toja will address that problem. Second-year midfielder Dax McCarty could also get his share of time at this spot.
Ramon Nunez: Admittedly, the 2006 season didn't end very well for Nunez, when the Dallas native showed his displeasure with not playing in FCD's season-ending loss to Colorado in the West Semifinals. But when Morrow took over as head coach in December, he did so with a clean slate. Nunez has clearly benefited from that and has been sharp in preseason and most importantly, has been injury free. His health has been an issue in the past and if Nunez is at 100 percent for 2007, he could accomplish big things for his side.
FORWARDS
Kenny Cooper: In his first year donning the Hoops in 2006, Cooper ranked second on the squad in goals with 11 and led the club with six game-winners. After playing up top and in the midfield last year, Morrow has made it clear that he sees Cooper strictly as a forward. The Dallas native will do so on the right side and figures to again be one of FCD's first options when the Hoops are on the attack. Whether or not he can duplicate or possibly even better his numbers of a year ago is something that fans will have to wait and see.
Arturo Alvarez: Alvarez was another FCD player who had an up-and-down season in 2006. After starting the season opener against Chicago and scoring the Hoops' first goal of last season, the Houston native was in and out of the starting 11 before finishing the year by scoring FCD's final goal of the regular season in a meaningless finale against the Galaxy. The fifth-year player has the speed and skills to be a force on offense -- now is his time to finally put it all together.
Carlos Ruiz: Even despite an injured hamstring that caused him to miss part of the middle of 2006, "Fish" still managed to lead FCD with 13 goals, a figure that ranked him among the best scorers in the league. The good news for 2007 is that the Guatemalan international came into the preseason completely healthy and with a newfound focus in his first full preseason with the Hoops. Ruiz will again bear the load of the FCD offense in 2007 and should again be up to the task. He also could do so wearing the captain's armband.
OUTLOOK
FCD could struggle a bit in the early part of the year as they continue to adjust to Morrow's new system. Other questions center around just how much improved the back line and central midfield are compared to last year? Also with Sala suspended for the first six games of the year, goalkeeping could be a concern in his absence. Even with all of those issues, the Hoops are not short on talent and should do well enough to make the MLS Cup Playoffs. Once they get there, anything is possible.
GRADING THE SEASON
FCD won't be content just to make the playoffs in a much-improved Western Conference -- they want to win their first playoff series since 2002. Anything short of that will be considered a failure.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT:
Pick one. Once he gets signed, Richetti, along with the already-signed Toja, will bring a new feel to the central midfield and make the Hoops a much better team with the ball than they were in 2006. Rookie and top draft pick Anthony Wallace has impressed in preseason and could also work his way into the FCD central midfield at some point this year. Once he returns from knee surgery, Serioux will bring a toughness and hard-nosed reputation to the FCD back line that was missing a year ago. That was the main reason why Morrow brought in the former Dynamo star during the offseason.
