The 2008 MLS season might only be four games old but FC Dallas is the league's only unbeaten side. After opening with disappointing draws against Chivas USA and Houston, the Hoops responded with consecutive 2-0 wins against New York and at Chivas in their last two outings.
In both victories, the Hoops got early goals. Against the Red Bulls, Arturo Alvarez scored just 51 seconds in, the second-quickest strike in club history, to give FCD an early edge. And on Sunday at The Home Depot Center, it was Kenny Cooper who netted his fourth tally of the year in the fifth minute to give the Hoops another early lead.
Getting such an early cushion is a trend that FCD head coach Steve Morrow definitely wants to see continue when FC Dallas plays host to the New England Revolution on MLS Primetime Thursday (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. CT).
"It's something that we talked about toward the end of preseason and going into the start of the season that we wanted to start games better," Morrow said. "I don't think that was something we did particularly well last year either in the first half or the second half. I think we've come out, defended better higher up the field and put the ball in the opposition's half a little bit better.
"We've been able to create some opportunities early in games, which has been good for us. It's always good to go up early in games. In the last two games, we've gotten early goals and have been able to build on that and been strong defensively."
The FCD midfield was missing two key starters in their win against Chivas, Pablo Ricchetti and 2007 all-star Juan Toja. Ricchetti was bothered by a strained right groin and Toja, a left quadriceps injury. Both will be gametime decisions for Thursday.
"He (Ricchetti) did more than I expected today (on Wednesday)," Morrow said. "He said he feels great. I don't think he tested it 100 percent today and played within himself. We'll make a decision on him closer to gametime and see if there's any reaction."
It was similar news for Toja. "(He was) better today," Morrow said on Wednesday. "He did a little bit more and we're in the same situation with him. We'll see how he reacts today and going into the game tomorrow."
Last year, the Hoops lost both of their meetings with the Revs. But Morrow feels that he and his team are getting them at a good time this year, especially with two players who have feasted on the Hoops in the past out of action: Taylor Twellman, who has 14 career goals against FCD, and Steve Ralston, who has seven career assists against them.
"They're two important players and I'm sure that they're missing them a lot," Morrow said. "They have a lot of experience but it's also a situation that we feel like we need to take advantage of. We're in good form and are gaining confidence. It's a good time for us because we're playing with confidence. Hopefully, we can bring that confidence into the game on Thursday and get another home win."
Twellman is out after having right knee surgery earlier this year. Ralston, who has missed much of the year with a dislocated left shoulder, is doubtful while defender Chris Albright is questionable with a left ankle bone bruise along with midfielder Jeff Larentowicz (right ankle sprain), who had the Revs' only score in a 1-1 draw at New York last Saturday and midfielder Sainey Nyassi (right adbuctor strain).
Even without several of their key performers out, the FCD players know that every time they face New England, they are in for a fierce battle.
"I think no matter what type of personnel they have, New England is a tough team," said FCD midfielder Dax McCarty. "The two Gambians (Kenny Mansally and Nyassi) that they brought in are extremely fast and dangerous players."
Morrow also feels that keeping an eye on Mansally and Nyassi, who bring great pace to the Revs, will be key for the Hoops.
"Those two guys have made a good start for them this year," Morrow said. "They've got a lot of young guys in at the moment and they're doing a good job for them. They look like a fresh, young and talented team. I'm sure it's going to be a good test for us on Thursday."
For McCarty, the key to how the Hoops fare could come down to how they play against New England defensive midfielder Shalrie Joseph.
"Shalrie Joseph is the key for them," McCarty said. "He's a fantastic midfield player and a guy that I really see as one of the better players in the league. The key for us is to make sure that we shut down his influence on the game. Then, we need to finish our chances. We will get chances and hopefully, we can finish them off."
Added Alvarez: "I think he (Joseph) is a good player," he said. "On both sides of the ball, he's really good. You only need one of those kinds of players to get a team going, so we've got to watch out for him. We have to take care of business, keep playing the same way we've been playing and finish off the game."
All-time, FCD is just 9-19-1 against New England. That includes a mark of 1-2-0 at Pizza Hut Park. The Hoops' only win there came in May 2006 when they scored four times in the opening 19 minutes to hand the Revs a 4-0 loss.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
