Once a foe, Serioux now embraced
Former Dynamo player now a key cog in Hoops machine
Serioux was acquired by the Hoops in an offseason trade with Toronto FC, and despite being injured for much of this season, has settled into a starting spot on the FCD backline. On Sunday, he will face his former team for the first time as Dynamo visits Pizza Hut Park for an afternoon affair and Serioux is looking forward to it.
"We have played them quite a few times earlier in the season but unfortunately, I have had to miss those games," Serioux said. "I'm kind of looking forward to playing against my old teammates. I feel good -- probably better than I would have earlier on. It's definitely going to be a good match."
The ex-Dynamo player missed the June 3 match at Houston, which the Orange captured 2-1, as well as the June 30 scoreless draw in Frisco, while still recovering from his knee surgery. Serioux also watched the 1-0 loss in the Bayou City on August 19 as a spectator because of a strained hamstring but he now admits he feels better than he has all year.
And that fact hasn't escaped the watchful eye of FCD head coach Steve Morrow.
"Adrian and I had a talk a couple of weeks ago and I told him that I expected a lot of him heading into the final run," Morrow said. "I think he's answered that. He's playing well and is getting back to his best. That's good for him and good for the team going into the last stretch.
"We need our experienced guys to step up at this point, play to the best of their ability, lead the team and be a presence on the field. That's why I brought him here and that's what he's starting to show."
Serioux has started six games so far this year for FCD, all of those at center back. But in a 1-1 draw with Chicago last Thursday in Frisco, he played the second half in a defensive midfield role after normal starter Pablo Ricchetti left the match with a strained right hamstring. He could see additional time there this weekend with Ricchetti's status uncertain.
"That's my spot," Serioux said. "It's been a while since I played there. Ever since I came into the league, it's been about defense. It felt good to get back in the mix again and give guys a couple of hits here and there. That's what I am going for -- to be that kind of muscle horse in the midfield.
"It felt pretty good (to play there again) but we'll see. I know Pablo (Ricchetti) is working his way back and there have been a few guys filling in there pretty well. I wish I could play there all the time but my job is back on defense right now."
One of the reasons why Serioux was brought in was to help organize the FCD backline, a role he has done pretty well when he has been healthy.
"I guess that's what I'm expected to do," he said. "Clarence (Goodson) has been doing a great job this year and it took us a while to get used to playing with each other after I came back. But now, it looks like we are meshing together and the whole back line is actually doing pretty well. We're holding teams off pretty well."
Serioux was also acquired because Morrow knew he would bring some much-needed toughness to the Hoops.
"That's just me," Serioux said. "I'm known to be the hard-headed guy and hopefully what I do out there rubs off on some of my teammates. Now it seems like we're known as the nice team. You don't exactly have to retaliate right away but you have to let teams know that you're not a pushover team. That's hopefully what I can bring and show them."
He admits that playing against his former teammates on Sunday will give him some added incentive and that they will see his best effort.
"It might be (Brian) Ching or (Dwayne) De Rosario (that I match up against)," he said. "But whoever comes back there, they will get my best."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
