To say the 2007 season has been a frustrating one for Houston Dynamo forward Paul Dalglish would be a vast understatement. Dalglish, who helped lead the Orange to the MLS Cup championship a year ago, has missed most of the season with an ankle injury.
But, sitting out the last five months, the veteran is ready to return and try to make a difference the final month and into the playoffs.
"It's been a long time. I think when I was involved last time, I wasn't really on because my ankle was never really right to be honest," Dalglish said. "Now, I can move properly, and I'm feeling great. I'm ready to contribute as needed."
Dalglish has played in five games this season with three starts, all coming in April and May this season. He was injured in Houston's May 5 game at Colorado, but tried to come back in two months. He played in Dynamo's U.S. Open Cup game against the Charleston Battery in July, but the injury nagged.
After surgery in July, Dalglish has spent the last two months rehabbing, but he said he is now ready to return. He knows the challenges ahead of him to get back onto the field.
"It's going to difficult for me to just get back on the team, but hopefully, if I get the opportunity, I'll try my best to take it and do with it what I can," Dalgish said.
"It would be nice if I could repeat what I did last year. But, I think some players -- the likes of Nate (Jaqua), who just had a hat trick, (Joseph) Ngwenya is coming off a good season, and he's scored a good few goals and (Brian Ching) is our talisman, and he's the one who takes the pressure of scoring all those goals. This year we have three forwards that have done really well. It will be difficult for me to get into the game, but if I get my opportunity, hopefully I take it by scoring a goal or couple goals."
Last season Dalglish played in only six games with three starts during the regular season, but he scored two goals and added an assist. In four playoff games, he scored another two goals to help Dynamo claim the Cup.
Dalglish said this has been the worst season of his career, and wishes it wasn't nearing the end of the season so he could possibly have more time to make an impression and get more playing time.
"It's just a shame that after being gone for so long, the season is coming to an end. I wish it was just beginning, but that's life, and it's probably been the most frustrating season of my career," Dalglish said. "Hopefully, with my contract being up at the end of the year, I'll get an opportunity to do something. We still have the playoffs, and I think it's going to be a good year for us again."
Dalglish was on the bench for Dynamo's last game at Los Angeles, but he went as an unused substitute. With four games remaining, Dalglish wants to make an impact with the hopes that he can sign with someone in MLS next year, if not with the Orange.
"I came here and had a great first season, albeit I came late," Dalglish said. "I was happy with the start to this season with the CONCACAF (Champions' Cup). I thought the game I got injured, the Colorado game, was the best game I had played so far this season. I just wasn't able to plant my feet this season. Then for the rest of the season, the last four or five months, it's just been really frustrating. I really hope I can continue next season."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
