FC Dallas played to a scoreless draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, outshot 14-11 overall and failing to get a single shot on target. Still, FCD head coach Steve Morrow was less concerned with the lack of shots on goal than what his team did with the chances they did create.
"I think we got 11 shots off and not enough on target," Morrow said. "That's a little bit disappointing to create the opportunities and to not have that composure in front of the goal."
However, the Hoops still have one more preseason game remaining next Saturday against Clube Atletico Paranaense before they open the 2008 MLS season on March 30 against Chivas USA, so Morrow feels there is plenty of time to correct any problems that surfaced against the Galaxy.
"We're still a few weeks out from the start of the season and are still working hard on a lot of things in practice," Morrow said. "Crossing and shooting are two of those things we will work on in the weeks to come. I'm sure that will come as we get closer to the season."
Despite the lack of chances, Morrow felt that both teams delivered an entertaining affair to the sellout crowd in Frisco.
"I thought it was an entertaining game," he said. "For a 0-0 draw, where were a lot of chances created throughout the game. Personally, we were disappointed with our display in the first half. We weren't sharp with the ball. We talked a lot about it as a team, played better in the second half, created some chances and got some shots off. Overall, I'm reasonably pleased."
Hoops goalkeeper Dario Sala, who had to make six saves for the clean sheet, agreed. "We dominated a big part of the second half and were the better team," he said. "I think that we deserved the tie. It was a very intense game but I think the 20,000 people who came left happy because both teams went for it."
Morrow also offered high praise for his 'keeper's performance.
"I thought Dario was excellent throughout the game," he said. "When we weren't playing well in the first half and they got a couple of shots on goal, you need your goalkeeper to be there and to come up big. Dario certainly did that in the first half. Even when we were dominating play in the second half, he was still called upon to make a few saves. He came up big tonight and that's what we expect of him."
FCD forward Kenny Cooper had four of his side's 11 shots on the evening, three of those in the first half. In the 26th minute, the Dallas native missed a bicycle kick when it went wide left and in the 31st, he was on the receiving end of a great cross from David Wagenfuhr that went high as he was sliding toward the L.A. goal.
Morrow was pleased with how his big striker performed against the Galaxy.
"Kenny (Cooper) has been very good all through the preseason so far and has scored a couple of goals," Morrow said. "His general play has been very good. We're starting to see him fully recover from the bad injury he had last year and we're expecting big things from him this year. I think he's got the potential to be one of the top strikers in the league and we certainly hope he can get up to that."
The FCD coach was also complimentary of fellow striker Ricardinho, who finished the night with a pair of shots.
"I thought he played well, especially in the second half, when he looked very dangerous," Morrow said. "As we started to possess the ball more in the second half, we were able to create better opportunities for him. He showed a lot of his quality in the second half. He's got tremendous speed and is good on the ball. We're looking for that level of consistency from him throughout the season."
One player who didn't start for the Hoops was Arturo Alvarez, who had been fighting a tight quadriceps muscle and a cold throughout the week. He did enter the match in the 71st minute and almost immediately, nearly scored.
"When (Alvarez) came on, he looked lively and had a couple of lively moments," Morrow said. "He hit a good cross late in the game that I remember as well. We're looking forward to getting him fully fit. Hopefully we can manage that before the start of the season."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
