By TRAVIS CLARK
In 2009, FC Dallas' hot second half wasn't enough to offset a poor 3-7-5 start to the season.
The resurgence of Jeff Cunningham and the play of David Ferreira helped engineer the turnaround and this season Dallas will look to get started on the right foot. After an offseason of little transfer activity, Schellas Hyndman has a very similar team in place heading into 2010.
A number of young players are waiting in the wings, with Brek Shea taking Dave van den Bergh's spot on the left flank, and rookie Zach Loyd is a versatile option in either midfield or defense.
Here's a look at 2010 FC Dallas:
2010 FC DALLAS
Players to Watch – Jeff Cunningham, Brek Shea, Daniel Hernandez, David Ferreira
Key Arrivals – Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd
Key Departures – Dave van den Bergh
Projected Lineup (New starters in bold)
————————Jeff Cunningham—————————
————————-David Ferreira—————————–
Brek Shea————–Dax McCarty————Marvin Chavez
————————-Daniel Hernendez————————-
Jair Benitez—-George John–Ugo Ihemelu——Heath Pearce
—————————-Dario Sala——————————–
Big Question – Who scores if Jeff Cunningham can't? Hyndman clearly prefers his 4-1-4-1 formation, and Cunningham's hot second half in the lone striker role last season helped key the second half turnaround. If he can't recapture his form and approach 20 goal territory, Dallas doesn't have a lot of options.
While David Ferreira is a threat to score goals from the midfield, the list of back ups to Cunningham is a short one — Atiba Harris and Peri Marosevic, with a rookie or two possibly in the mix. Even if Cunningham can light up the score sheet, goals will be needed from elsewhere for this club to be able to contend in the West.
X-Factor – Ferreira got off to a slow start last year, after joining Dallas from Clube Atletico Paranaense. He went on to finish with 8 goals in 7 assists while playing all but eight minutes of the season. If Cunningham and Ferreira are on the same page from the opening kick, Dallas will have the offensive prowess to hang with anyone.
Outlook – Dallas led the league in goals scored last season (50) but was also among the worst in goals conceded (47). In the end, that was the breaking point that kept them out of the postseason. George John and Ugo Ihemelu will have to steady the ship in front of Sala (or Hartman) if FC Dallas wants to make the postseason. That is probably too much to ask in the tough Western Conference.
Not sold on Brek. The guy had sooooooo many chances last year, but couldn’t put ANy in they back of the net. After that HORRIBLE two -footed red card tackle in the U-20 World Cup … not sold on the kid. Tremendous talent, but he cares more about his hair than his soccer.
I’ll be in attendance on Sat. PHP always has a great turnout for the opening game. It’s weeks 2-8 that we usually have about 8k people. I hate it, but it’s the reality. Ehhh
http://www.3rddegree.net/2010/03/25/ten-notes-from-the-fcd-kickoff-luncheon/
People will go out of their way to go to a Cowboys game no matter how far it is, simply put “Its the Cowboys” as for the Hoops, its a shame but people are not going to go out of their way for them,(unless a true FC Dallas fan) so the problem is reaching out to the people that normally wouldn’t go to a Hoops game, and they made matters worse by making Pizza Hut Park their home. I feel like a broken record but I think the Cotton Bowl would have been a better home for The Hoops, and with the train system in place that stops right in front of the Cotton Bowl(Fair Park), there is no excuse not to go.
Good question? Wish they moved back to the Cotton bowl. Now that the Dart Rail Train system is in place right in front of the Cotton Bowl I’m sure that would have brought in a lot more fans to watch the games. Frisco is just too far for the average soccer fan. I’m sure it probably had to do more with politics having the stadium built out there in the first place.
Link?
“He went on to finish with 8 goals in 7 assists while playing all but eight minutes of the season.”
That’s a hell of an eight minutes of playing time! A goal and almost assist a minute!!
Good right up – Dallas always seem to be that darkhorse on the edge of doing something well but falling at the end.
I think Brek Shea will have a standout season and be the difference.
Dallas has an international striker coming after the WC. Could be good news, hopefully it will put butts in the seats.
IMHO – this team will leak goals and by the end of the season will have leaked so many fans that even a soccer specific stadium will look empty.
Interesting point. I played in the Dallas Cup years back and understand just how many people show up for that tournament. Interesting to see what the youth turnout will be
Depends on your location, but from most areas it’s more like 30min at the most. 20min from my suburb. It’s like going to a Cowboys game.
By the way the opener will not be a true test of the fan turnout. Dallas Cup begins Sunday so there will be a large number of youth teams at the game as well as a good crowd from Houston. The true test will be how the second home game goes and that will probably depend on How they play against Houston.
About 40 minutes from Dallas, at least that’s what I remember from MLS Cup ’05 when we drove from our hotel in Dallas. Its far.
IMO – Fans could matter but I think Casey is correct. If they win fans will be there. Kyle Davis is right now a back up for the center backs. I think he could replace John if he has the same injury problems as last year. He has so much talent though I would think he gets on the field as a starter somehow by middle of the season.
The Dallas / North Dallas area has always been a good soccer area. And their stadium seems to still be one of the better ones in the league. What gives? How far is Frisco? Is it simply wins that they need? An identity?
Fans at the opener doesn’t matter as much as wins/losses. Wins will bring fans.
what is the status of kyle davies
Here’s the ultimate question. How many fans for their home opener?
*thumbs up*