FC Dallas is just five days removed from a disappointing 4-2 loss at New England last Saturday. But the Hoops must have that defeat firmly in their rearview mirror as they play host to the Chicago Fire on ESPN's MLS Primetime Thursday at Pizza Hut Park if they hope to inch closer to clinching a playoff spot.
Thursday's affair will mark the first Frisco appearance of Cuauhtemoc Blanco in MLS play. The Mexican star has previously played at Pizza Hut Park on several occasions with Club America as well as in a friendly with the Mexican national team but this will be his first time appearing in MLS.
"He's a special talent," FCD head coach Steve Morrow said of Blanco. "If he's given time on the ball, he's going to create stuff. We need to make sure that our whole team is compact, that we have people around him when he gets in possession, get in tight and close him down quickly."
FCD captain Carlos Ruiz offered a ringing endorsement of his own about what Blanco has meant to the Fire in his first eight games.
"Blanco is a great player," he said. "I think he's one of the best players in Chicago and they have been playing well because of him. He's coming to Dallas and it's definitely going to be a good game. We have no option but to win."
In two of their last three matches, FCD has surrendered four goals. And the back four know that if that trend is to reverse itself, they will need to keep Blanco on a short leash.
"He's just a great playmaker. He's been around the game a while and has played for some great teams. He's come into Chicago and has provided them with a little spark," said right back Drew Moor. "He scores goals, creates goals and is someone you have to keep an eye on. You have to be aware of his movement and where he will be. When he's on the ball, we need to make sure we have bodies close to him."
Since Blanco made his MLS debut in a 3-0 win at Toronto FC on June 29, he has three goals and five assists in eight matches. In that time, the Fire are 4-2-2, and have clawed their way back into contention for one of the last two playoff spots. That makes them a dangerous opponent for the Hoops, who are just 1-2-0 in September.
"I think they've shown some improvement in the last month or so," Morrow said. "They've had some decent results lately and are going to come in fighting hard for a playoff spot. I'm sure it will be a competitive game. We want to show what we can do playing here at home and take the game to them."
Moor added: "They're a dangerous team right now because they're fighting and clawing," he said. "I feel that we are as well right now. We're in a little bit better position, not just to make the playoffs but we need to put this team back on the right track before we do enter the playoffs. It's not desperate for either team but it's going to be a big game."
But Blanco won't be the only designated player on the field. World Cup-winning midfielder Denilson, who got his first MLS goal in his first home start in a 2-0 win against Toronto FC on Sept. 8, will also be heavily counted on by his side to provide some offensive punch.
"I think there's been a lot of good stuff but I don't think he's 100 percent fit yet," Morrow said of Denilson's performance in his first three matches. "I think we'll see more and more as he gets more fit. We'll also see more as he gets used to his teammates, they get used to him and as he gets more used to the league."
On May 17, FCD handed the Fire a 2-1 defeat at Toyota Park. The Hoops got goals from Kenny Cooper in the 24th minute from a penalty kick and from all-star midfielder Juan Toja in the 60th minute, but the Hoops could be without both players on Thursday.
Cooper, who continues to recuperate from a broken right leg suffered in June, will not play, and the status of Toja, who has been bothered by an ankle injury for over a month now, could play but didn't train much during the week until Wednesday.
On the back line, Thursday's game could see a couple of familiar faces return to action for FCD. Center back Adrian Serioux, who didn't travel to New England after playing for the Canadian national team earlier last week, should be back in the starting 11. And left back Chris Gbandi, who fell out of form and was benched after a 4-0 home loss to D.C. United on Sept. 1 in favor of David Wagenfuhr, could also find his way back into the starting 11.
Heading into Thursday's match, Chicago has dropped nine consecutive matches in Dallas and all-time, have a 2-10-0 mark in the Metroplex. The Fire's last win in Dallas came on July 4, 1999 when they beat the Dallas Burn 2-1 at the Cotton Bowl. Overall, they have lost three matches in a row to the Hoops, their last win a 2-0 victory on June 12, 2005 at Soldier Field.
But a bit of history might be on the visitors' side. Last year, FCD swept the season series and ensured that the Brimstone Cup would stay in Dallas for the fifth year running but the Hoops have never beaten the Fire twice in consecutive seasons. This year would mark the first.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
