FC Dallas head into Tuesday's game against MLS Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United carrying a two-game losing streak. But one of the positives from their last two setbacks has been the emergence of young forward Dominic Oduro, the team's second-round pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
The 20-year-old striker and Ghana native made his first-team debut as a substitute on Wednesday at New England, hitting the field in the 84th minute. He nearly got the first goal of his career in stoppage time, but his 92nd-minute bid for an equalizer was stopped cold by a great diving save from Revs 'keeper Matt Reis.
In Saturday's 3-0 loss at Chivas USA, Oduro played the entire second half and had two great chances at his first MLS tally. In the 56th minute, he sent a hard cross into the opposing penalty area that was cleared over the crossbar after nearly ending up in the Chivas net.
Then, just five minutes later, he sent a blistering ball toward goal from about 18 yards out but Chivas 'keeper Preston Burpo made a spectacular diving stop to slap the ball away and keep their bid for a clean sheet alive.
Even though he has yet to convert one of his great chances into a goal, FCD head coach Colin Clarke has liked what he has seen from his rookie forward.
"I think he (Oduro) has done very well," Clarke said. "He deserved it. As a young kid, he's come in and worked hard. He's worked on some individual stuff he needed to improve on, things like his touch, keeping the ball and his finishing. He's earned that opportunity."
Clarke added that Oduro will continue to improve as he gets more playing time.
"He'll get plenty more time (with the first team)," he said. "He's got good pace. He's direct, gets after people and gets past people with the ball. He's done well and is getting great spots. The first one (goal) is always the hardest one."
Before making his debut with the first team, Oduro had made his mark with the FCD reserves. In four starts, he performed solidly but his breakout game came against New England on May 21 when he struck for the first hat trick in FCD reserve history. In four starts, he had three goals and one assist.
Oduro is pleased with his performance to date, but knows he can improve and is looking forward to his next opportunity.
"It was a great experience for me," he said. "I had some chances but could have done better with them. It was just one of those mistakes. I'm working on my touches and my finishing right now. Maybe the next game I'm put into, I can make my mark and score a goal or two."
The young forward had put in some extra work after training with FCD leading scorer Carlos Ruiz in recent weeks and he feels that will pay off in the future.
"Carlos is one of the greatest players in the league right now," Oduro said. "He taught me some things that I thought were really good. I've been working on them and think that if I stick with it that in the next few years, I can be scoring goals like he's doing. He's a good player and is also a great teacher."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
