To put it simply, The Home Depot Center has not been kind to FC Dallas, at least when they are playing the Los Angeles Galaxy. FCD is 0-8-0 on the Galaxy's home field since it opened back in 2003. New Hoops head coach Steve Morrow is more than aware of his side's problems in Carson, but has every intention of quickly putting those to an end on Thursday when the two teams meet (7 p.m. PT, ESPN2).
"I don't know whether it's a mental thing or not (us not winning there)," Morrow said. "It could possibly be. That exists all over the world and in every league that certain teams go to certain grounds or stadiums and have difficulty. It's something I want to put right. I told the guys about it and feel like it's a new beginning.
"I want to go there and make a statement," he continued. "It's time we went there and got a result. There's no reason why we can't. We're going to get after them, attack and play our game and keep the ball and move the ball. I think if we play to our capabilities that we can go there and get a result. I've emphasized that to the players, that it's time we went to L.A. and put in a good performance and got a win."
Both teams head into the contest after ties in their opening match of the season. The Galaxy played defending MLS Cup champion Houston to a scoreless draw last Sunday in the Bayou City while FCD traveled to Real Salt Lake and left with a 2-2 tie after getting the equalizer late in second-half stoppage time. FCD got goals from Kenny Cooper in the 19th and Carlos Ruiz in the 94th.
One thing about the RSL match that disturbed Morrow was the poor job that FCD did with possession.
"I wasn't happy with the total overall performance," he said. "I think we need to move the ball better. The field was a contributing factor but we know at times that we could have done a better job of moving the ball. I said to the guys early on in the game that we gave up 10-12 possessions early in the game. You can't blame every one of those on the field."
FCD enter Thursday's match with very few injuries of note. Attacking midfielder Ramon Nunez was taken out of Tuesday's training session as a precautionary measure with a tight groin, but was fine and returned to the practice field the next day. Fellow midfielder Arturo Alvarez experienced some back spasms on Tuesday and his status is uncertain.
Ecuadorian striker Roberto Mina, who has a sprained right MCL, did not train this week and will not make the trip. His status will be re-evaluated next week. Also not available for selection is Argentine midfielder Pablo Richetti, who is still awaiting visa approval.
Thursday's match marks the first of two for FCD this week. On Sunday afternoon, the Hoops will face the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium to close out a season-opening three games on the road. Despite the busy week, the FCD players aren't the least bit fazed.
"I think it's a good test for us," said center back Drew Moor. "Three games on the road right away isn't easy for any team but it's a good test. We had a good result on Saturday but obviously not a great performance. We would like to perform better, but it was a good result and we're looking to build off it."
Moor emphasized his side isn't heading to L.A. or the Big Apple looking for moral victories. "We're going into L.A. and New York to win," he said. "We said that from the start of this week, so we'll go in and see what we can do. It's good to get these games in early when we're fresh and we'll see what happens."
Morrow's lineup could be similar to the starting 11 that took the field at RSL last weekend. One change could be Chris Gbandi starting at left back. Gbandi missed last week because of suspension but was also working his way back from an ankle sprain suffered in early March in Brazil.
On Monday, Gbandi played 45 minutes in a scrimmage against the University of Tulsa but admitted that he is not yet at the fitness level needed to play a full 90 minutes.
The FCD starting 11 should feature Shaka Hislop in goal. The back line will likely have Gbandi or David Wagenfuhr on the left, Bobby Rhine on the right with Moor and Clarence Goodson in the middle.
In the midfield, Nunez will man the attacking spot with Marcelo Saragosa and Juan Toja playing in the holding spots. Besides Ruiz, the other forwards should be Cooper and possibly Alvarez, depending on the status of his injury. Should Alvarez not be able to go, Morrow will choose between Dominic Oduro and Abe Thompson for the third striker spot with Ruiz.
Second-year midfielder Dax McCarty is one FCD player who is looking forward to the trip out west. The last time the former University of North Carolina standout played at The Home Depot Center, he made his MLS debut, last July against Chivas USA.
"That's where I introduced myself to MLS so to speak," McCarty said. "It was only for about 10 minutes, but as a teenager going out there and playing in your first pro soccer game, it's an experience you will never forget. I know that it has been a tough place for us in the past but we're going to forget about that."
McCarty played well last weekend after entering the RSL match as a second-half substitute. So did fellow second-year player Oduro, and Morrow feels that both could push their way into the starting lineup in either of this week's matches.
"Dax and Dominic both affected the game in a positive way on Saturday off the bench," Morrow said. "We'll look at that closely. I would say that over the course of the L.A. and New York games that both of those guys are going to play their part. I think they're both ready to play and contribute."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
