2009 MLS Preview: FC Dallas

Starting March 4, and continuing up until March 19, I’ll be previewing every team prior to the First Kick of the 2009 season. I’m going in alphabetical order, with a final season prediction coming at the end of everything. My goal? To make sure that every team is covered here at MLS Offside, with each team blog going into much further detail than I will.

The previews continue today, although I know this one is pretty late. Moving down south, FC Dallas is a team with a lot of questions to answer in 2009. After missing out on the playoffs in 2008, the team opted to keep together most of its core group and only added a few players here and there. After a season that saw dwindling numbers in the stadium and hardly the best product on the pitch, change is the name of the game for Dallas. Will a team comprised of a lot of the same players who missed out on the playoffs last year be good enough to steer the Hoops back in?

2008: 8-10-12, 36 pts, fifth in the West

Services acquired: Dave van den Bergh, Daniel Torres, Steve Purdy, David Ferreira, George John

Left the building: Duilio Davino

Coach: Schellas Hyndman in his first full season in Dallas. Took the reins during 2008.

All Eyes on Me: How long will Kenny Cooper stay? The hulk of a forward terrorized defenses last season in Frisco and will out to improve this season. The big debate remains if he will last through the whole season, and if he doesn’t, things could get worse out in the Big D. I think Cooper will have another monster year, but could also miss out on same games if called up into the Gold Cup/Confederations Cup squad. Behind Cooper, journeyman Jeff Cunningham laces up in support, and while he isn’t a bad alternative, he isn’t quite the threat Cooper can be.

Player(s) to Watch: Can newcomer David Ferreira be the spark that Dallas lacked last season? The Colombian arrived on loan from Brazilian club Clube Atletico Paranaense and is an internationally experienced midfielder. If he can catch on quickly to MLS play it will bode well for the Hoops. I was a big fan of Dave van den Bergh and his effort for the Red Bulls last season — there is no doubt that he is a quality left midfielder who should fit in well for Dallas. Boosting the defense was the acquisition of Steve Purdy who comes over from 1860 Munich. Purdy went to Europe in 2006 after graduating from Cal and should fit into the backline nicely. As far as the strikers go — aside from Cooper of course — Cunningham has scored a ton of goals (104) in his lengthy MLS career and could thrive in a role as second fiddle to Cooper.

Young Guns: FC Dallas has an interesting group of young talent, but it’s unsure how big a role they will play in the 2009 season. Peri Marosevic joins as the team’s first pick in the 2009 SuperDraft. The midfielder has made a name for himself in the U-17 and U-20 US National Team and will be looking to make an impact for Dallas now. I’d like to see what Josh Lambo can do between the posts, but that probably won’t happen for a couple more years. Dax McCarty is someone to keep an eye on — he and Hyndman saw things differently, McCarty wanted out, wasn’t able to get out, and now will have to play in 2009 in Dallas. I don’t see it as a particular problem now, but locker room bust ups and disagreements during the offseason are never a good thing to have. McCarty is no doubt a bright young talent and it would be a shame to see the spoiled by a poor attitude.

Bottom Line: While they haven’t made a great number of changes, the moves that Dallas has made showed intent and purpose. The front office knew what it wanted and went out and got those players. Although recent developments have shown that perhaps the front office might not know what it is doing. To me, the biggest question is their defense, which will be lacking Marcelo Saragosa at the beginning of the year. Dario Sala is a steady presence in goal, something that is always encouraging. Hyndman has now had sufficient time to build a squad of his liking — although he deserves a fair go of it this season. If the Western Conference is as weak as it has been in the past, I can see Dallas sneaking into the playoffs, even more so if Cooper stays the whole year.

Category: FC Dallas, MLS