In their first 18 games of the season, FC Dallas has scored 30 goals, second most in MLS. That number alone is impressive, but what makes it even more significant is that 13 different players in the Hoops squad have scored those goals, making FCD the league's most balanced scoring team.
So far this season, five different players have gotten their first career MLS goals: Kenny Cooper, Drew Moor, Dominic Oduro, David Wagenfuhr and Mark Wilson -- and three of those were deciding scores.
Head coach Colin Clarke feels that such balanced scoring is clearly a good thing.
"It's good," he said. "We knew at the start of the season that we had a lot of good players. It's nice when you can get goals from a lot of different spots. I know there's a few (players) who are disappointed that they haven't scored yet this year."
Clarke also feels that having such a balanced offense makes it tougher for opposing teams to prepare for them.
"It certainly helps when you're not relying on one, two or three people to get you goals," he said. "They're coming from all over the place, which makes it difficult for teams to prepare for you."
The Hoops players say that such great scoring distribution is a testament to their depth.
"I think we have a lot of depth on this team," Cooper said. "No matter who is in the starting lineup or who comes off the bench, the coaches have a lot of confidence in everyone who is part of the squad."
Said veteran defender Bobby Rhine: "It's one of the things we've talked about all year, is our depth. Certainly during this period, we'll have the opportunity to get some guys in who haven't gotten a lot of minutes and they'll have an opportunity to prove themselves, which we know they're capable of."
For Oduro, it boils down to one thing -- the Hoops being one of the most potent attacking teams in MLS.
"That really shows that we have one of the best offensive teams in the league," the rookie forward said. "Once we get near the goal, we are used to putting it into the net. Everyone on the team, from the defenders all the way up to the strikers can score goals. That is a good thing."
The bottom line for midfielder Arturo Alvarez is that such offensive potency and balance shows what many already know: that the Hoops are a very good squad.
"That just tells you that we have a good, solid team," he said. "Thirteen different players scoring goals is a good thing. We have a lot of depth and we're letting other teams know that we have that. Just because we have some of our key players hurt, that doesn't mean that we're not going to be able to score."
Rhine likes the fact that having so many different players scoring goals makes life easier on himself and the rest of the back four.
"I think part of that is that guys are getting the opportunity to show what they can do. Dominic has been getting opportunities to play. Kenny has been required to do a bit more (offensively)," he said. "It's a great chance for those guys to prove what they're worth. They've helped create chances. When you have multiple guys creating chances, that certainly takes a big load off the defense."
FCD will need for such balanced scoring to continue with the team leader in goals and assists, veteran forward Carlos Ruiz, out for at least two more weeks with a strained right hamstring.
Fellow striker Roberto Mina, tied for third on the Hoops in goals, is out for at least the next 8-10 weeks with a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. Without both of them in the starting 11, the FCD players know they need to step it up offensively.
"They (Ruiz and Mina) are obviously great players and are always going to score goals," Cooper said. "When they're out, I think everyone knows that they need to step up and help fill that void."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
