With the 2009 season in the rearview mirror, here are the answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding FC Dallas as the club prepares for 2010.
WHAT DOES FC DALLAS NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE MLS CUP PLAYOFFS IN 2010?
Thanks to an impressive late-season run, Schellas Hyndman's club came within an eyelash of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2007, but a loss at Seattle in the final weekend officially eliminated them from postseason contention. Despite a somewhat disappointing end to 2009, it is clearly a team on the rise.
If there was a theme for FCD in '09, it was upheaval. Hyndman shuttled players on and off the roster throughout the year, a season that saw the departure of two of the club's longest-tenured players in Kenny Cooper, who was transferred to Germany over the summer, and defender Drew Moor, who had been with FCD since 2005 before being traded to Colorado in late August. The first 11 that Hyndman fielded in the season-ending loss at Qwest Field included just five holdovers who also started in the season opener with Chicago back in March.
If FCD is to make that leap from contender to playoff team, then Hyndman's club simply will need to start the year off in much better fashion. FCD was an abysmal 4-10-4 before the all-star break and had one stretch where they dropped three straight and another that saw the club lose four in a row. However, in the second half, only reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus was a better squad. FCD was 7-3-2 down the stretch and put together a nice four-game win streak right when the games matter the most. A better start in 2010 would give FCD a bit more wiggle room later in the year and could propel them into the postseason.
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '09?
In a first half that was largely forgettable, an early highlight was FCD's 2-1 win against Columbus on June 20 at Pizza Hut Park. For arguably the first time all year, the team turned in a complete performance and kept the league's defending titleholders on their heels for much of the night. The Black-and-Gold's lone goal came in the first half thanks to a Pablo Ricchetti own goal. Other than that, FCD weathered the considerable pressure the Crew exerted on it and delivered their biggest win of the year.
Another big moment for the team came on October 7, when FCD dispatched fellow playoff contender Colorado 2-1 in Frisco. Hyndman closed practice for the entire week and his change of approach paid off as FCD started the night off with a sense of urgency not seen for much of the season. The home side took care of business, keeping their own playoff chances alive and in the process, delivering a devastating blow to the playoff aspirations of the Rapids.
WHO SHOWED THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
Considering he finished the year as the winner of the Budweiser Golden Boot, the biggest upswing for FCD this year came from forward Jeff Cunningham. The veteran scorer, currently second in MLS history with 121 goals, struggled mightily for much of the first half of the season and his first goal didn't come until May 31 at Chicago, in FCD's 12th game of the year.
However, once Cooper was transferred, Cunningham took center stage. In FCD's first game without the big Dallas native, Cunningham scored four times in a 6-0 win over Kansas City on August 1. He finished the year with four multiple-goal games, led the league with seven game-winners and also added seven assists. For good measure, he earned MLS Player of the Week honors four times and was also named the league's player of the month for September. He is just the fifth player in league history to win the Golden Boot more than once.
Another player who warrants mentioning is David Ferreira. The Colombian playmaker's initial transition to MLS was somewhat rough but by the middle of the year, it was apparent that Ferreira and Cunningham were becoming a formidable tandem for the FCD offense. His emergence made him a candidate for MLS Newcomer of the Year.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO CRACK THE STARTING LINEUP?
Two players who could step up in 2009 come from the midfield. In his second MLS season, Eric Avila contributed one goal and two assists in 18 appearances off the bench for FCD. Hyndman would still like the young southern California native to play better defense but Avila's insertion into a game provides an instant spark to his teammates. With next year being his third in the league, it shapes up to be a crucial year for the former California-Santa Barbara standout.
Honduran international Marvin Chavez could also emerge in 2010. Similar to Ferreira, he will need some time to acclimate to the nuances of playing in MLS, but "The Son of the Wind" has already shown in just seven games that he could definitely add something to the FCD attack as soon as next year. With that starting group appearing to be set, getting playing time could be an issue for Chavez.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
Late in the season, word surfaced that English Championship side Reading FC was interested in Cunningham. The veteran striker is under contract with FCD and has bought a house in the Dallas area but admits a shot at going to England is intriguing. Only time will tell if Cunningham departs in the offseason.
Fellow forward Brek Shea also saw some interest from European clubs right after playing in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Fulham expressed a possible desire to sign the big Texan to play in the Premiership. FCD is already pretty thin up top, so losing either Cunningham or Shea would sting more than a little. Fellow striker Peri Marosevic was FCD's first-round pick in the 2009 SuperDraft but doesn't look to be ready to contribute anytime soon.
Hyndman might also need some depth in his backline. Steve Purdy was injured for much of the year and his status appears uncertain heading into the offseason. Veteran Daniel Torres was largely inconsistent and it's unsure whether or not he will return. Left back Blake Wagner began the year as the starter but quickly went to the bench due to inconsistent play. Wagner could also be exposed in November's expansion draft.
And depending on what happens with holding midfielder Daniel Hernandez, Hyndman might have to find a replacement there as well. Hernandez played in FCD's last seven games but has expressed a desire to return to Mexico, where he spent the last few years. And with Pablo Ricchetti, who began the year as FCD's holding midfield, expressing a desire to play somewhere else in 2010, it looks like the FCD coach might have another hole to fill there. Two possible replacements are already on the roster. Bruno Guarda, who played for Hyndman at SMU, didn't see much action this year but does have the advantage of knowing exactly what his coach wants from that spot. Anthony Wallace, who has seen time at midfield during stints with the U.S. under-20 national team, could be another possibility.
-- Steve Hunt
