In each of the first four games for FC Dallas, speedy second-year forward Dominic Oduro has come off the bench and helped spark the Hoops offense.
Last Sunday, in the 3-1 win against Colorado at Pizza Hut Park, he scored his first goal of the season and second of his career when Kenny Cooper found him streaking toward the net in the 93rd minute.
For Oduro, a second-round pick (22nd overall) in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft out of Virginia Commonwealth, his first MLS goal came in the second minute of FCD's 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls last July 8, when he made his first career start.
So, forgive the Ghanaian striker if he is a bit giddy with Bruce Arena's bunch coming to Frisco for Thursday's night match on ESPN2. On a cold and rainy April 15, FCD traveled to Giants Stadium and came away with a 3-0 defeat, their first of 2007.
"It was a crazy game up there with bad weather," Oduro said. "But as a professional, that is not an excuse. I think we are going to beat them fair and square at home. We're going to kick them out. They're going to lose."
FCD head coach Steve Morrow likes what he has seen from his super sub thus far but admits that it is getting tougher with each passing game to keep Oduro out of the starting 11. But the Hoops boss says that his young forward's time will come.
"I have to try and figure out a way of progressing Dominic in the right way," Morrow said. "I've been thinking for the last few weeks that he's ready to start. He deserves the minutes that he's getting because he's looked sharp when he has come on and in training as well.
"I think it's only going to be a matter of time before he gets to start. He knows he's going to get opportunities throughout the season. We have to keep looking at the big picture and get him as many minutes as possible. In my eyes, he's ready to start."
While Oduro is happy to do what is best for the Hoops, he admits that the competitor in him makes him want to start for his side. A year ago, as a rookie, he played in 16 games, but made just three starts.
"Right now, my aim is to get a starting spot, which I think every player here is trying to do," he said. "I guess that I came in for a reason (on Sunday) because the coaches knew what I was capable of doing in those 20 minutes. They knew I had speed and told me to make a lot of runs behind. I would like to start but will do what's best for the team."
Every time he hits the field, the first thing everyone who sees the 21-year-old forward notices is his blinding speed. But this year, Oduro has added something else - better touch. A lack of that was the big knock on him during his rookie season. But to his credit, he spent much of the offseason working on improving his touch and those efforts are starting to pay dividends.
Whether he is in the starting 11 or coming off the bench for Thursday's match against New York, look for the "Bird Man" to be a factor. Not only does he want to help his side win its second consecutive match at home, but he wants to do it against the very team against which he scored his first MLS goal not even a year ago.
And if he can impress Morrow some more in the process and make an even stronger case to enter the starting 11, that would be even further motivation for the speedy forward, who could be on the cusp of a breakout year for the Hoops.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
