FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala has now served half of the six-game suspension he received after his involvement in an altercation following the Hoops' season-ending loss to Colorado in the MLS Western Conference Semifinals. With just three games remaining until he can make his return, on May 12 at Kansas City, the Argentinean is clearly chomping at the bit at the mere thought of returning to the field.
But Sala has been trying to find different ways to stay involved. In last Sunday's 3-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium, Sala did color commentary in the first half alongside FCD Spanish radio voice Carlos Alvarado before having to leave at the break to prepare for the reserve division match between the two clubs. He also spent several games in the radio booth last year while injured.
"That was a good experience," Sala said of his outing behind the microphone. "I have done it before. I did it last year with Carlos Alvarado and Jesus Padilla. I did the commentary in the first half and wasn't too critical. It was a hard game for us with the rain and the field. You have to take that into account for the result."
Last season, Sala started the first 28 games for FCD between the posts and went 14-10-4 with a 1.24 goals-against-average and four clean sheets. His 14 wins were second-most in MLS. He missed the last four regular season games because of a calf injury, but returned for both of the Hoops' playoff games against the Rapids.
Sala has been preparing like it was any other regular season.
"I'm preparing myself at 150 percent," he said. "I am pushing myself hard, even in the small games (in training). I want to win because I am such a competitor."
He added that this is the first time in his soccer career that he has had any kind of layoff during the season that wasn't injury-related.
"This wait was too much for me," Sala said. "I am really excited to come back. The only person who is taking care of my anxiousness is my wife and she has really been suffering because of it. I come home and walk around like a neurotic guy. I have never had a break like this before in my career because of suspension or red card. It's a new experience and it's really hard for me."
Making that experience even tougher is the fact that on Sunday, FCD will face the Rapids in their 2007 home opener, a team that Sala has always played well against.
"I want to be there badly and want to play against the team that took us out of the playoffs last year," Sala said. "I always play well against them. We want to give our fans a win and some good revenge. It would be great to beat them in our stadium."
But at least for three more games, Sala will have to be content with being watching from the sidelines -- or another vantage point.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
