Through their first 12 games of the 2008 season, FC Dallas has been an up-and-down team. In spells, they have had problems scoring and in other stretches, have found themselves unable to hold a late lead and have left points on the table with a number of disappointing draws.
But one constant for the Hoops this year has been the dependability of forward Kenny Cooper and center back Duilio Davino. Cooper has played in all 12 games this year for FCD, leads the team with six goals and has missed a total of 12 minutes of action. Davino has also started every game for the Hoops, playing all but 44 possible minutes.
Interim head coach Marco Ferruzzi has been pleased with how Cooper has performed for FCD this year.
"Clearly, (Cooper) has been a consistent performer in terms of work rate and scoring a goal in every other game," Ferruzzi said. "That's been a huge plus for us and for him. Again, there are things that need to get better and I fully expect that they will. When you have that kind of work rate, energy and dependability, people can look across the field and see that, it's a huge lift for the team and a great motivator."
Cooper performance has been impressive especially considering that he came off a season where he missed nearly half the year after suffering a broken leg last June. Some questioned whether or not he would be able to shoulder the offensive load for FCD, but so far, the tall Dallas native is averaging a goal in every other game, not a bad average for any league.
"Physically, I have felt great all season," he said. "I came into preseason feeling great, which was good since I was coming off an injury. I just want to keep improving every day and there's a great environment here with FC Dallas for me to do that. Marco (Ferruzzi) has done a great job with us and he and the coaches also give us a lot of personal attention after training if we need it. I just want to keep on improving and hopefully help the team keep improving."
The FCD striker also admits that his fitness is higher than ever before.
"I like to think that I'm as fit as I have ever been," Cooper said. "I put in a lot of work during the offseason into my fitness. It's something that I try to get better at every week. Right now, I feel great and have been feeling that way all season."
Ferruzzi offered a similarly positive review of the play of Davino, who was signed in the offseason after a successful career with Mexican power Club America.
"He brings a lot to the table that many people don't understand," Ferruzzi said. "His organization and calmness is important back there. We've gone the last few years with a strong, young backline that was prone to making errors. He came in there to be a veteran leader and we feel like he's done that. I feel like he's still learning the league and the players in the league. That takes time. He will figure it out and by the second half of the season, you will see that he's doing a good job for us and it's going to pay off."
FCD brought in Davino to help organize a backline that was porous at times last season. He has largely done that and also provided excellent leadership as the new team captain. Granted, there have been a few gaffes that have resulted in goals by the opposition, but for the most part, Davino has done exactly what he was brought in to do.
"It's so difficult when it's a new team in a new league," Davino said. "But now, I'm better and keep improving. It's an important stretch we have coming up but we keep working on it to get good results. I feel very good. I love it here and they have treated me very well."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
