The Steve Morrow era officially begins Saturday night for FC Dallas, when the Hoops take on Real Salt Lake in the 2007 regular season opener for both clubs.
While RSL generated a great deal of buzz when they traded for ex-D.C. United midfielder Freddy Adu in the offseason, FCD enters the season with a new philosophy and many familiar names gone from a 2006 squad that won the regular season Western Conference title.
FCD comes into the opener off a 1-0 loss to Brazilian side Clube Atletico Paranaense last Saturday in their preseason finale. The Hoops generated the bulk of scoring chances, but were unable to find the back of the net. Despite the loss, FCD and Morrow were pleased with the effort and have looked to carry that forward.
"We have concentrated on being really focused all this week," Morrow said. "Normally, we would have a day off, but we haven't done that this week. I thought it was important to get the guys in every day. ... We're very focused and have looked at a couple of different things in terms Salt Lake's strengths and weaknesses. The boys are looking very relaxed but focused and are ready to get started."
Hoops midfielder Ramon Nunez remains optimistic about FCD's chances, especially in light of their most recent performance.
"It was very encouraging," Nunez said. "The team played well and we're looking to step that up and score some goals. If we're able to do that (this weekend), then we will win the game."
FCD second-year striker Kenny Cooper is also ready to get the regular season started.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I have loved playing in Salt Lake in the past. There is always a great atmosphere up there. I'm sure this weekend will be a great atmosphere again with it being their opener. We're looking forward to getting the season started and feel like we're ready."
Since Saturday's match will be played on the artificial surface at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Morrow made it a point to get his team some time on a FieldTurf practice field adjacent to Pizza Hut Park earlier this week.
"We're lucky enough to have a turf field right next to us," he said. "We went and used that today before practice. We did a nice, long warmup with the ball to give the guys a little bit of a feel for it without being on it for too long. Some of the guys are affected by being on the turf for too long and their bodies get sore afterwards. They felt like they wanted to get a little bit of a feel for it, so we did a warmup on it."
In each of the last two seasons, FCD has split their two matches in the Wasatch Front. The Hoops, who are 6-3-2 all-time in season openers, have not dropped an opener since 2002, when they fell 2-0 to San Jose.
For the most part, the visitors enter Saturday's match healthy. Forward Roberto Mina has a sprained MCL and will not make the trip. His status will be re-evaluated next week. Left back Chris Gbandi, who suffered an ankle sprain in Brazil in mid-March, returned to training earlier in the week but would not have been available anyway due to suspension.
Right back Alex Yi is over a slight left hamstring pull that kept him out of the CAP game and forward Dominic Oduro is also back after experiencing some tightness in his right hamstring after Saturday's match.
Morrow's likely lineup in a 4-2-3-1 scheme includes Shaka Hislop in goal and a back four of David Wagenfuhr at left back, Clarence Goodson and Drew Moor centrally and Bobby Rhine on the right.
In the midfield, Juan Toja should get his first official start for FCD with Marcelo Saragosa joining him in the other holding spot. Nunez looks to again get the nod in one attacking slot for the Hoops, especially coming off a stellar game last Saturday.
As for the two other attackers behind the lone man up top, the choice will come from the group of Arturo Alvarez, Cooper, Oduro and Abe Thompson, helping the attack behind Carlos Ruiz, who was named team captain earlier this week. Ruiz had three goals against RSL last season, giving him five in his career against the Utah club, while Cooper netted a pair.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
