In two seasons in Major League Soccer, FC Dallas striker Dominic Oduro has come a long way. He went from scoring one goal in his rookie season to three goals and two assists in 2007, production that saw him gain promotion midseason from the club's developmental roster to the senior roster.
Now heading into his third season, Oduro feels he is ready to make the next step and become a key contributor to the Hoops' fortunes.
"I think I really matured in MLS last year. Looking at myself between last year and my rookie year, I think there has been a lot of progress. I feel more confident in myself and have heard a few of the guys on the team say how much they think I have progressed," Oduro said. "I have made a good impression of myself and think I did step my game up for myself and for the team. I wish I could have made more progress and helped us to the MLS Cup. But at the end of the day, it was overall a good year for me and my team."
Anyone watching the Ghanaian striker on the field for even a few minutes immediately notices his major asset -- blinding speed. He can fly up the flanks or the middle of the park, which makes him an excellent offensive threat. But if there is a downside to his game it's that often his touch and finishing aren't always stellar.
However, those are things that Oduro intends to address during this offseason.
"I don't think that I scored enough goals last year," he admitted. "That's one thing that I'm keen on improving on (for next year). I'm going to do a lot of different things to get my confidence higher around the net.
"I also need to work more on my touch," he said. "It's not at the level where I want it to be. I'm going to work on my touches a lot in the offseason and I'm also going to motivate myself to do what I have to do to put more balls in the back of the net. Those are the most important things that I can work on in the offseason. Hopefully, that hard work will show next year."
A big part of his focus this winter involves staying in Dallas for the entire offseason. Last year, Oduro spent much of the time in Richmond, Va., but now he will be an almost daily visitor to the FCD facilities at Pizza Hut Park.
Oduro is hoping that his hard work this winter will translate into that one thing every player wants, more playing time. He appeared in 29 contests a year ago, including 10 starts, but more often than not was used as a second-half substitute who could provide speed and instant offense. In the June 14 game at Real Salt Lake, Oduro literally stole three points from RSL with a scintillating run up the field that culminated in a goal in the third minute of stoppage time for a 1-0 win.
"I'm working out every day because I don't want to lose my focus," he said. "It should be time to relax and enjoy life but I want to get better during the offseason. I'm just trying to stay focused. This is my preseason right now. I know the team has its own schedule but I consider this my preseason. I'm staying here and will be working out here until the season starts."
During Oduro's first MLS season, following his selection in the second round (22nd overall) of the 2006 Super Draft after a solid two-year stay at Virginia Commonwealth, he played in 16 matches with just three starts under then-FCD head coach Colin Clarke.
But after Clarke was relieved of his duties following the 2006 season and replaced by Steve Morrow, who brought with him a more attack-minded philosophy, Oduro and others thrived under the new scheme.
"Colin (Clarke) was more defensive-minded and Steve (Morrow) is more offensive," Oduro stated. "That helped me a lot. I like being more offensive because that's what I'm good at. I like Steve's system better because he always puts it on you to keep improving instead of sitting back and watching what would happen. I think he's done a great job and is looking forward to doing more next year."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
