Admittedly, the MLS schedule hasn't exactly been kind to FC Dallas thus far this season. Twice already in 2007, they have played games on Thursday and Sunday in the same week and also opened the campaign with three consecutive games away from home.
So, forgive the Hoops if they are looking forward to having some time off after Sunday's 1-0 loss to New England at Pizza Hut Park. Of course, it would have been much better heading into that layoff with a win, especially on the heels of Thursday's disappointing 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls, but that is just not how things played out for FCD.
"It's the same as the other day (Thursday), another 1-0 defeat at home and we're disappointed," FCD head coach Steve Morrow said after the loss. "I think we dominated the game for 90 minutes."
Morrow attributed much of Sunday's result to fatigue.
"We tired badly in the second half and just completely ran out of steam," he said. "At a time when we need to push the game in the final 30 minutes, we just didn't have the legs to do it. I think we definitely suffered from playing two games in three or four days and just didn't have the energy to push it at the end."
FCD surrendered a 13th-minute goal to New England forward Taylor Twellman and that was all the Revs needed. That goal, which was Twellman's fourth of the season, came on the Revs' first shot of the match.
Where Thursday's loss was disheartening because of how poor the Hoops were in possession, Sunday's setback was even more disconcerting because for much of the day, FCD controlled the run of play but had little to show for their efforts.
"I think in the first half, we had most of the possession," said FCD midfielder Ramon Nunez, who had five shots on the day. "But we still felt like we didn't pass the ball well enough to break them down where we needed to. We didn't get into dangerous positions and that's why we didn't score."
With Sunday's shutout, the third game in the last four in which the Hoops have failed to score, FCD forwards Kenny Cooper and Carlos Ruiz have now not scored in the last four contests.
"You're always concerned when your forwards aren't scoring," Morrow said. "It is a concern, but the whole team has to take responsibility for going forward and defending."
FCD outshot the Revs 19-14 with Cooper and Nunez registering five shots apiece. Carlos Ruiz had just one shot before leaving the field in the 63rd minute.
With his side reeling a bit after heading into the break down by the goal, Morrow made a change at halftime, bringing in the speedy striker Dominic Oduro for midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan.
"I felt we were moving the ball very well and wanted to get another forward on the field," Morrow said. "That was the whole point of it. Dominic has been very lively when he's come off the bench and been very lively to the team. I thought he deserved the chance to play.
"I really wanted us to get at their back three and to play with guys higher up the field. I thought Dominic would be able to help us by running in behind their back four."
FCD will have 13 days off until their next appearance. On May 12, they will travel to Kansas City in what could be goalkeeper Dario Sala's first game back from suspension.
But, in the meantime, the Hoops acknowledge there is plenty to work on during their break.
"Possession and getting enough people into the box (are what we need to work on)," Nunez said. "We need to work with outside backs and once they're up, get people into the box and have numbers."
Said Chris Gbandi: "It's been a crazy schedule. This is a wonderful break but it's coming at a bad time. You have the two losses that have been heartbreaking. Then, you have two weeks to think about it.
"You want to go into a break like this with two victories. Unfortunately, we can't do that. We're going to get some guys back when we come back. It's a long season and I hope guys realize that."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
