FC Dallas will try and change their Jekyll and Hyde ways this week against the Vancouver Whitecaps. FCD fell to a 1-3-1 record with a 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers last week. They are just a point away from being dead last in their conference, and I am hoping they come out with a better showing this week.
Some important factors to the game this week for FCD are to stick to their possession style of play, “patience” being the key word here. They need to control the ball and control the midfield. Last week they were a little erratic and unorganized with their possessions especially in the final third of the field. I believe the Captain Daniel Hernandez will be an important factor in the midfield this week. Also I am hoping (and praying) Schellas Hyndman will go back to the 4-4-2 formation they had success with against Colorado. Last week they came out in the 4-1-4-1 against Portland with Milton Rodriguez being the lone striker up front. This was not nearly enough and Rodriguez turned out to be a non-factor in the game. I hope having only one shot on goal thru the first 83 minutes of the game last week will change Hyndman’s mind about the lone striker system.
Lastly, Hyndman has some decisions to make and Brek Shea has just made his job that much harder. In a move of desperation Hyndman moved Shea to left mid last week against Portland and Shea took advantage and logged a goal and assist in the final seventeen minutes of the game. Shea has been all over the field this season playing in the left back, center back and left mid positions, I feel that with his speed and vision that he should be playing left mid with Benitez moving into the left back position. I am anxious to see where Hyndman starts Shea this weekend against Vancouver.
This will be FC Dallas’ first visit to Empire Field and it will not be an easy one. The expansion Vancouver Whitecaps are unbeaten at home and are a very good team despite a five game winless streak. This will also be a reunion of sorts with two former FCD players on the Vancouver side in Atiba Harris and Blake Wagner.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
