The 2007 season was a rollercoaster for FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala. In his third season with the Hoops, Sala started 18 games between the posts for FCD, recorded five clean sheets and a 1.61 goals-against-average as the team posted a 8-7-3 record in front of him. But the Argentinean 'keeper also had to battle through long absences through suspension and injury.
Sala missed the first six games on suspension after an altercation following the Hoops' first-round playoff loss to Colorado in October 2006. But he made his return on May 12 at Kansas City, registering a season-best nine saves for his first win of the campaign in a 2-1 decision against the Wizards.
He then started the next 11 matches before a knee injury suffered during SuperLiga sidelined him for the month of August. During that time, second-year 'keeper Ray Burse stepped up in Sala's absence and performed well, leading many to believe that there might be a battle for the top spot.
However, Sala returned for the September 1 match with D.C. United and played all six matches in September before Burse played all three games in October. Sala returned for the playoffs and started both legs of the Western Conference Semifinals against Houston before being forced to leave the second leg with injury.
But with the new season kicking off with the opening of preseason training this week, Sala is looking to put that all behind him, and the 33-year-old is quick to state that he is still the starter and doesn't see a battle looming with Burse for the starting nod.
"I don't think so," he said. "I'm in my 13th year as a professional and am used to competing. My toughest competition is myself. I am always competing with myself. I am used to competing for a starting job but feel like if I'm at 100 percent, then I don't have to compete with anybody else."
One major difference for Sala between last preseason and this one is that the veteran 'keeper feels like he is better prepared for the upcoming campaign.
"I came here on the 19th of January to prepare and to be in shape (for the start of preseason)," Sala said. "That will give me an advantage compared to last year. I came in at the last minute and out of shape and didn't want the same thing to happen this year.
"Last year, I had a six-game suspension to start the year and knew I wouldn't be able to play," he continued. "But now I got here early, worked with our goalkeeping coach from last year for 10 days, can keep up with the group and feel great."
In addition to the 18 league starts last year, Sala started three matches for FCD in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a competition in which the Hoops reached the final. Sala was 2-1-0 with a 1.20 goals-against-average in those matches and also made two starts in SuperLiga.
Like his teammates, Sala is eagerly anticipating the arrival of recently signed center back Duilio Davino, who before signing with FCD last month played with Mexican side Club America.
"I think it was a good move in two senses," he said. "It was good for the Latin community because he's a Mexican player from (Club) America and we didn't have any Mexican players here. It was a good marketing move. Hopefully he's in the best part of his career in this sport. I wish the best for him and the team. The only thing that really matters is that he will make a difference inside and outside the field."
As one of the veterans in the FCD locker room, many think Sala is a great candidate to be the Hoops' captain this year, a position vacated when 2007 captain Carlos Ruiz was traded to the LA Galaxy. But Sala admits that at least in his eyes, there is only one candidate to fill that role.
"Bobby Rhine has played here for almost 10 years," he said. "And I don't think there's another choice for captain."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
