“You can call it an emergency,” Hyndman said. “I think when you go without four starters; it’s becoming a bit of an emergency.” Let’s try five starters. The FCD injured reserve list resembles a team returning from the trenches more than it does a team returning from the soccer field. David Ferreira, Ricardo Villar, Carlos Rodriguez, Kevin Hartman, Andrew Wiedeman, Andrew Jacobson, and Bryan Leyva are all out. Emergency sirens, if there were any in place at FC Dallas Stadium, would have been in chorus for 72 hours at this point.
But there is a glimmer of hope for FCD, providing it doesn’t have to dip into its depleted bench any further. Blas Perez will return from his one game, phantom-elbow suspension. Jackson (sadly not Germaine) will see his first start of the 2012 campaign. Jair Benitez, back in the good graces of Schellas Hyndman, will also start tonight after playing an outstanding match, despite the draw, against RSL Wednesday night. So, things certainly aren’t hopeless.
The Galaxy limped through the beginning of the season, obtaining some uncharacteristic results, such as a 3-1 home loss to New England. They have only two home wins this year, and an equal amount of losses. But things have been turning upward, especially after their fortunate 2-1 road win at Colorado last week.
“These points at this time of year are important, especially in conference games so we’re thankful we got out of [there] with three points,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “We haven’t started real well, so it’s important we piece some wins together.”
Putting together another win won’t be straightforward for the Galaxy as FC Dallas have performed well in the past, including the MLS playoffs, in Los Angeles. In fact, history shows that Dallas has been quick to jump to a lead against LA. Last year’s visit to LA displayed Dallas taking the lead within the first ten minutes, only to drop the match 3-1.
It’s the same illness Dallas suffers at the moment: they are quick to go up, only to slow down and capitulate. This has amounted to seven points lost from winning positions. Since the beginning of the season FCD hasn’t managed to put together a full 90 minutes of a game they would call their own. Recently, 15 minutes of pressure from Vancouver forced FCD out of its own game, and against Salt Lake a full second half of dominance by Kreis and company reversed the dominant performance displayed by Dallas in the first half. Each and every game is a chance for FCD to remedy this illness. It’s certainly a state of mind that will not lead to success towards the end of the season.
Expect a fast-paced match against the Galaxy. There were a total of seven goals in two matches between the two teams last season, each team grabbing a victory at home. It will be a matchup of US national team past versus future as Brek Shea and Landon Donovan are likely to be pitted against each other on the left flank. George John and Ugo Ihemelu will have their hands full with Robbie Keane and Edson Buddle up top. Aerial dominance will be key to stunting the service from Donovan and Beckham; fortunately John and Ihemelu have it in spades. Brek Shea and Jackson out wide tonight will be key to stunting that service as well. Winning the midfield will be crucial for Dallas. Whichever team is to impose itself first in the center of the park will be the dominant side.
However, the Galaxy’s back line has been vulnerable all year long with the absence of Omar Gonzalez. They have yet to hold a shutout this season. With the pace of Castillo and the combination play, including height, of Blas Perez, a quick counterattack goal or combining sequence between the two and the likes of Jackson, or Brek Shea, could result in chances for Dallas.
The simple creation of chances had been a problem for FCD until the first half Wednesday night; unfortunately it certainly didn’t continue into the second half. Dallas hasn’t been profligate around the goal this year; the chances they have taken have been decent, but they have been few in number. The gaps in the Galaxy’s back line will hopefully allow scoring chances to abound. At least Blas Perez will be fully rested for this match. He will be the workhorse Dallas will need to ride for a full 90 minutes to gain a victory away in LA.
Still, this is no cause for panic. A loss without a strong, united display from Dallas would be cause for emergency. However, if FCD can outperform LA and attack with cause, as they did with Salt Lake for 45 minutes, the chance for victory tonight will be bright. Certainly a united performance, and perhaps a win away, would be enough to lift the battered Dallas lineup back to its feet.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
