Considering that FC Dallas have failed to score in three of their last four matches and looked less than stellar in back-to-back 1-0 losses, the 13-day break between their last match and Saturday's trip to Kansas City probably couldn't have come at a better time.
FCD had played a league-high six games in April. They opened the season with three consecutive matches away from Frisco and finished the month with a three-game homestand, in which they went 1-2-0. The Hoops finished the month at 2-3-1 with seven points.
In the nearly two weeks since, FCD head coach Steve Morrow and his staff had individual video sessions with each player and have also worked on being better in possession and creating more chances in the attacking third of the field, two things lacking in their last two defeats.
"I expect a good reaction (on Saturday)," said Morrow. "We've had two 1-0 defeats at home and the guys know those games could have gone either way. We're still very positive about the whole situation."
Since Saturday's match will be the first of three for FCD in the next eight days and the first of three road games in May, he is quick to underscore the magnitude of the meeting with the Wizards.
"It is important," Morrow said. "We need a win. There's no hiding that. We need to go there and get points. It's important to start off well in Kansas and follow that up in Chicago. I know we're capable of going to both of those places and getting good results."
The Hoops will return several players from injury but one big name will still be absent from their starting 11. Goalkeeper Dario Sala, who served a six-game suspension to start the year, will be available and should make his 2007 debut.
Defensively, center back Alex Yi returns after missing the last match due to calf strain. That means that Drew Moor will move back to right back. Joining Yi in the middle will be Clarence Goodson with Chris Gbandi on the left.
Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, who suffered a strained MCL in a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on April 12 and hasn't played since, could also return, but not likely as a starter.
But Saturday's game could mark the FCD debut of Argentinean midfielder Pablo Ricchetti, who was signed in early April but wasn't officially added to the roster until late this week. He could start alongside Colombian Juan Carlos Toja and either Dax McCarty or Saragosa.
Ramon Nunez, who had two goals in the game against Colorado on April 22, should hold the attacking midfield spot.
But up top is where it could get interesting. Leading scorer and captain Carlos Ruiz will not start after missing the first two days of training with an unexcused absence.
In his place, FCD will likely go with Kenny Cooper, who has two goals on the year, with accomplished finisher Abe Thompson filling the other forward slot. Speedy Dominic Oduro will likely come off the bench.
Last year, FCD split with the Wizards, beating them 2-1 in Frisco in April but losing 1-0 in K.C. in late August. The Hoops haven't won at Arrowhead Stadium since Sept. 18, 1999, when they won in a shootout. All time, FCD are 5-9-4 in Kansas City.
Morrow and his players clearly have a great deal of respect for the Wizards, who currently lead MLS with 12 points.
"I think they've got a strong roster," Morrow said. "They have some experienced players in there and have made some good additions this year. They are playing a slightly different style than in years past. I think they've looked good so far. But they're also a team with the way we play that we feel like we can beat."
His players agree. "They have a lot of speed and (new head coach) Curt Onalfo is doing a great job of keeping them organized," said Thompson. "They've impressed me both times I've seen them. It's not going to be an easy game."
"They're playing very well," said FCD defender Bobby Rhine. "They're playing with a new spirit about them and their chemistry looks good. They are also very organized as a team. Eddie (Johnson) is playing well for them. Not only are they scoring goals, but they aren't giving them up either. They look to be a good team."
K.C. will enter the game without one of its top players in defender Jimmy Conrad, who suffered a broken jaw in a 1-0 win against Columbus last Saturday. Rookie Aaron Hohlbein or second-year back Tyson Wahl will start in his place, creating a potential weakness for the FCD offense to attempt to exploit.
"Maybe our best way to defend them is to just go at them," McCarty said. "Having a good defender like Jimmy Conrad out is a big hole that we should look to exploit. They have some good players to fill in for him but without his experience and leadership, they will be weaker in the back."
After Saturday's match, FCD will only have a few days off before traveling to Chicago for their third appearance of 2007 on ESPN2's MLS Primetime Thursday. Then, just three days later, they will face Real Salt Lake in Frisco, their only home date in May.P
"It's a big challenge for us going to Kansas and then to Chicago, two teams who are playing well and in good form," Morrow said. "I know the boys are relishing those opportunities. When you go in and play well against teams like that and get good results, it makes teams stand up and take notice. That's the challenge that I threw out to the players this week."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
