At this time a year ago, it was a very difficult time for Adrian Serioux. Just a couple of months removed from winning MLS Cup with Houston Dynamo, Serioux was first selected in the expansion draft by Toronto FC, then traded to FC Dallas.
Yet before beginning preseason training with his new club, Serioux suffered a knee injury while with the Canadian national team, an injury which forced knee surgery that sidelined him until July 14.
But this year is a completely different scenario. After another surgery at the end of last season, Serioux spent most of the offseason resting before participating in a camp with the Canadian national team just before joining FCD for preseason late last week, and he is ready to roll in 2008.
"It's great (to be healthy)," Serioux said. "Last year was difficult for me coming in and not knowing what was wrong. This year, I'm pretty sure everything is going to plan. I feel good and healthy coming out of the Canadian camp. I'm coming in a step above what I'm expected to be right now but it's great."
FCD head coach Steve Morrow is clearly glad to have Serioux at full strength.
"I know he did well in camp (with Canada) and is feeling good. I was talking to him the other day and he feels like he's finally over those problems," Morrow said. "The surgery that he had at the end of the season to clear up the last little problems with his knee was good. He's a great player with great character. I hope he can have a fit and healthy preseason and that we see the best of him this year."
Serioux started and played in 10 games last year for FCD. He split time between center back and defensive midfielder, which showed many how versatile he truly was.
"I guess people see now how versatile I am but it's something I always knew I was capable of doing," he said. "Right now, it's all about where the coach needs me to play. I just need to go out there and do my job. If it's in the back, then I will go out and do my best and the same in the midfield."
The FCD coach did emphasize that he has yet to determine where Serioux will play this year but adds that his versatility is a definite plus.
"We're leaving that open," Morrow said. "He can cover both of those positions (center back and defensive midfielder) for us. I know he'll want to settle in and win a spot. He showed later in the year that he can do a good job in the midfield. We can also slide him into the back and he's equally as good in that position. We'll see through preseason where he fits the best and can hold down a regular place."
While many of his fellow Hoops spent the winter months preparing for the preseason, Serioux's approach was more low-key thanks to his injury.
"My biggest focus in the offseason was giving my leg the proper rest it needed," he said. "Having the surgery at the beginning of the year and trying to come back as soon as possible was good. Offseason was all about getting as much rest as possible and trying to make sure everything was properly healed and that I don't aggravate something else. Going into the Canadian camp, everything felt good and I will keep progressing from there."
Morrow and FCD will likely switch from the 4-4-2 formation that has been employed over the last few years, possibly to a 3-5-2, something Serioux isn't very familiar with.
"No, I haven't played in it very much," he said. "Every team tries to play with it and you might get away with it for a few games. But it's a hard formation to play with because there is less room for error as far as men covering for you on the back line.
"You can hold off teams in the middle because you have the extra man to hold off the attack. But once they break through that, it's all up in the air. It's just a matter of working on it and getting together as a team as far as moving our shape and everything."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
