Injuries offset FCD's rhythm
FC Dallas' back line in flux in midst of hot streak
In Thursday's 1-0 win against Houston, captain Pablo Ricchetti got his fifth yellow card, which means he will miss Saturday's trip to Columbus on suspension. FCD also got some additional bad news when fellow center back Kyle Davies suffered a groin injury in the second half and had to leave the field.
FCD also has rookie center back George John on the shelf as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered several games ago. Davies and John were both working on the side with the team's medical staff during Monday's training session and it appears neither player will be available for this weekend's game at Crew Stadium.
Davies had started eight of the last nine games for FCD before leaving the field against the Dynamo and John has made seven starts this season but had to leave a 4-2 loss at Real Salt Lake two weeks ago when his hamstring flared up again.
So that leaves Steve Purdy and Daniel Torres as head coach Schellas Hyndman's most likely combination in his central defense.
"That's an area we really wanted to improve in (heading into this season)," Hyndman said. "We brought in three -- (Steve) Purdy, George (John) and (Daniel) Torres and then because of the injuries, we brought in Kyle (Davies). Drew (Moor) can also play center back. I think we're playing really well but this is one of the reasons why Pablo (Ricchetti) is back there. He brings so much to our team in his leadership and organization. We're definitely going to be losing that. With the injuries, we just can't seem to buy any consistency."
Another less likely option involves moving starting right back Drew Moor from his current spot into the middle, where he has played in the past. However, then Hyndman would have to find another right back, a position his team is currently pretty thin at.
"Yeah, it is an option," the FCD coach said. "At the same time, who would we get to play right back? The guy who played right back for us last time was Torres and we're planning on him playing in the center. We'll have to wait and see how Kyle is doing and how Purdy is doing."
Purdy has not seen the field since a mid-May appearance against Seattle Sounders FC. The first-year defender has been bothered by a knee injury since but admits he's ready should he get the call.
"It's been a while since I played a game," Purdy said. "I'm looking forward to any chance I have. I've been battling this injury with my knee but with every day, I'm getting better and better. I'm looking forward to it."
Since it has been a while since he has been on the field, Purdy wouldn't venture a guess about where he feels health-wise.
"Since I haven't played, it's tough to say," he said. "One day, it feels really good and the next, it's OK. As long as I'm progressing, that's the key."
However, Torres has a bit more experience with 13 appearances in the back for FCD, including seven starts. After a disastrous second half at RSL several weeks back. He rebounded nicely in a start against Kansas City the following week and also performed well as a second-half substitute in last Thursday's win over Houston.
FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala, who has yet to allow a goal in his first two games back from injury, isn't worried about who will play in front of him on Saturday night against the reigning MLS Cup champion Crew.
"It's not a problem," Sala said. "We're going to miss Pablo but the team is more important than the individual. We have the players to do his job. It's the same for any position on this team. We have a collective group of talented players and they can do it."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com
