FC Dallas came into the 2011 season with high expectations, they were the MLS Cup runners up and had the league MVP on their team. But the 2011 season got off to a slow start for FC Dallas, they only scored 3 goals thru their first 6 games and were an abysmal 1-4-1 thru week 6. Then, as if things could not get any worse, FC Dallas lost their MVP David Ferreira to an ankle injury in week 6. Ferreira had played every minute of every game since he came to FC Dallas and their offense ran thru him. This seemed like a devastating loss for a struggling FC Dallas team, and one they might not be able to overcome.
But in Ferreira’s absence, FC Dallas has been nothing short of amazing. They went the entire month of May without a loss and have only lost 2 games since losing Ferreira. The loss of Ferreira has been a kind of blessing for FC Dallas, because it has allowed younger players the opportunity to step up. Schellas Hyndman switched to the 4-4-2 and we saw how speed can kill with the duo of Marvin Chavez and Fabian Castillo playing up front. The best surprise thus far has been the emergence of Brek Shea, who is now second in the league in goals this year with 8. At only 21 years old Shea has taken his game to the next level and what’s more amazing is that he started off the year playing the left back position.
FC Dallas is currently in second place in the Western Conference and the way they are playing right now they look poised to make another run at the MLS Cup.
Here are some mid-season awards for FC Dallas:
Mid-Season Most Valuable Player: Brek Shea
Offensive Player of the Year: Brek Shea
Defensive Player of the Year: Ugo Ihemelu
Rookie of the Year: Bobby Warshaw
(image courtey of Rick Yeatts)
