BY ADAM SERRANO
FC Dallas has shown that the willingness to persevere despite absence, injuries or change.
Part of that rise has been the play of two-way midfielder Andrew Jacobson, who appears to have finally locked down a steady spot on an MLS club after three years of bouncing around the league.
Jacobson has found a home with Dallas in Schellas Hyndman's system and has locked down a steady playing spot for the club. Hyndman admitted that the rise of Jacobson has helped FC Dallas during a difficult time dealing with the offseason departure of Dax McCarty and the early season injury to David Ferriera. After years of moving around, Jacobson is overjoyed to be a part of Dallas.
"I feel like I'm finally being used to the best of my abilities, I can definitely do the work defensively, but I can also add to attack with long range passes and building out of the back," said Jacobson. "Also playing next to Daniel Hernandez, who reads off me very well, which allows me more freedom defensively to win the ball higher up the field."
More news from around the Western Conference after the jump:
CHIVAS USA
As Chivas USA hope to lift themselves into playoff contention, at the forefront has been the play of midfielder Nick LaBrocca. The talented midfielder has scored six goals so far this season and is generating some buzz that he should be included in the MLS All-Star team later this month. LaBrocca's goal totals are equal to last year's golden boot winner Chris Wondolowski and more than star forwards Eric Hassli and Juan Pablo Angel.
Following the Rojiblancos disappointing draw with Sporting Kansas City, head coach Robin Fraser was full of praise for his 'star' midfielder.
COLORADO RAPIDS
The Rapids are set to get their MLS Cup hero back on the field.
Mac Kandji is hoping to play next week against the New York Red Bulls after partcipating in a 30 minute of scrimmage early this week. Kandji famously tore his ACL leading up to the goal that gave the Rapids the MLS Cup in extra time last November. After the scrimmage, Kandji felt confident that he'd be able to play in the Rapids next match.
LA GALAXY
For a second straight year, the hopes of a U.S. Open Cup title for the LA Galaxy ended on the small turf field of the Seattle Sounders' Starfire Sports Complex. Wth a near first choice lineup playing, the Galaxy were unable to beat the Sounders during Open Cup play and crashed out of the tournament. Following the match, LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan was critical of the team's performance in Seattle.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
The Timbers understand that the last few weeks have not been a banner time for the club. The team has fallen near the bottom of the Western Conference and last week's disappointing loss to the Seattle Sounders only led to further rumors that the club was close to making a change. Speaking to The Oregonian, Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson stated that if the team can not improve than a change is needed.
"We're asking players to achieve a certain level (of play) and sustain that certain level," said Wilkinson "If they cannot, we have to go out – whether it's in this country or overseas – and try and find players who are capable."
REAL SALT LAKE
The news surrounding Real Salt Lake over the last few days has been centered around an interesting departure by RSL DP forward Alvaro Saborio from the club's recent victory to FC Dallas last weekend. After coming out of the match, Saborio pechlantly walked off the field and into the locker room in an episode that had several questioning whether or not there may be issues in the RSL locker room.
These questions appear to be put to rest according to Salt Lake Tribune's Michael Lewis, who spoke to Jason Kreis on Thursday, who put his full support behind the Costa Rican forward.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The Earthquakes traded Ryan Johnson, an international spot and allocation cash for Nana Attakora, Alan Gordon and Jacob Peterson.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Pat Noonan has earned a new contract and is now looking to earn more playing time to justify the Sounders faith in him. The veteran midfielder has found it difficult to find playing time with the Sounders due to injury, but Noonan showed his true abilities for the Sounders on Wednesday with a key assist that led to a Seattle goal in U.S. Open Cup play against the LA Galaxy.
With head coach Sigi Schmid pleased with his performance, Noonan is now hoping for more action for the Rave Green.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
The Whitecaps made a big splash days ago with their signing of Mustapha Jarju and the waves made by that signing are now being felt in the Whitecaps locker room.
In order to be compliant with the league's roster rules, the club had to send midfielder Terry Dunfield to Toronto in exchange for allocation dollars and future considerations. The team's lone Vancouver native, Dunfield told MLSsoccer.com that he understands that he was the odd man out.