It might be hard to believe, but 2007 will be year three for Carlos Ruiz in the hoops of FC Dallas. However, this year, for the first time since the arrival of the Guatemalan international forward in Big D, he will be able to take part in a full preseason with the club.
His acquisition from the Los Angeles Galaxy came days before the start of the 2005 season, and then last season, his contract wasn't completed until just four days prior to the preseason opener.
So, his being able to take part in a full preseason regimen with FCD is huge, especially considering that the Hoops have a new head coach in Steve Morrow and that Ruiz missed his share of games last year with a hamstring injury, although he still managed to rank among the top goal scorers in MLS.
"I feel better," Ruiz said after Tuesday's training session. "I am in very good shape. In the last two weeks, I have worked only on fitness with the ball with the coaches. It has been good for me. I am just focusing on wanting to play for this club. We have a long season ahead of us with the Lamar Hunt (U.S. Open) Cup, which we want to win in his memory, and we have the (SuperLiga) tournament in the summer, which we also want to win."
Morrow has been impressed with his veteran striker thus far in preseason but admits that he has been pushing "Fish" harder than ever before.
"He's been great so far," Morrow said. "I've been pushing him hard, kicking his butt every day and getting him to pick up his fitness. He embraces it. It's important that he wants to push himself and he wants to do that. I've had him back here a few times in makeup sessions to get his fitness level back up to where he wants it to be. His attitude has been first class."
The new FCD boss added that he also expects to see Ruiz take on more of a leadership role with the 2007 Hoops.
"It's the first time we've had him here all through preseason and that's been great for us," Morrow said. "He's impressed me with his leadership on the field as well. That's where I want him to be. He's been around this league a long time. He's got a lot of experience and has won championships. He needs to stand up and be a leader on this team. That's a role that I want him to take on. He has to accept that off the field, he needs the discipline and professionalism that goes with that. He's been great."
With Simo Valakari, FCD's captain of the last two seasons, no longer on the FCD roster, later in the preseason Morrow will have to choose who will wear the captain's armband for the Hoops in 2007. He admits that Ruiz is one of several players he is looking at to fill that role.
In 2006, Ruiz led the Hoops with 13 goals, third-most in the league, and also had five assists. Those totals are put in proper perspective considering he missed four matches during the summer because of a strained hamstring. The veteran forward knows that good fitness is the key to him avoiding the same injuries this season.
"I need to work out more in the gym," Ruiz admitted. "I need to go inside after finishing a good practice and work my legs and upper body. I need to get stronger to prevent injuries and to be healthy all year."
Once again in 2007, Ruiz will be the focal point of a potent FCD offense. Even though the player who assisted on many of his goals last season, all-star midfielder Ronnie O'Brien, is no longer with the club after being shipped off to Toronto FC in the offseason, "Fish" should have another big season wearing the Hoops.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
