There's no question the spearhead of the FC Dallas attack is leading scorer Carlos Ruiz. But the Hoops attack has been greatly augmented by Kenny Cooper and Abe Thompson as it was at its best as the 2006 season drew to a close.
This weekend, Cooper and Thompson will each make his postseason debut in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday night in Denver against the Colorado Rapids. Both are clearly ready to do so.
"I'm excited," Thompson said. "Last season, I was disappointed (not to play). At the end of the season, I had started a couple of games and thought I would at least be involved (in the playoffs). But I wasn't and that's the way it goes. I was able to observe and learn how things work. Hopefully I will be able to bring what I learned from the sidelines last season into playing this season."
Thompson's emergence this year has been a great story for FCD. He suffered a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot in a reserve division game against Houston on May 13, a match in which he scored on a penalty kick despite being injured, and didn't return to the first team until a July 8 match with the New York Red Bulls in Frisco.
Since his return, the former University of Maryland standout has played very well. He scored the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time on July 22 at Real Salt Lake in a thrilling 1-0 win for his side. Since the All-Star break, Thompson has started seven matches up top alongside Ruiz and has two goals and six assists.
"I feel good," he said. "I feel confident. I've had a good run of games heading into the playoffs. I have worked out an understanding with Kenny, Carlos and Ronnie (O'Brien) and I feel confident going into the playoffs. I have been contributing the last few games and look to continue doing that."
Cooper has been a big addition to the FCD lineup since making his MLS debut on April 1 against Chicago. The first goal of his career came against the Fire in the 70th minute and proved to be the game-winner, one of six game-clinching strikes that the Dallas native has this season.
His 11 goals rank second on the Hoops trailing only Ruiz, and Cooper also has four assists. FCD was 10-0-1 in the regular season when he found the back of the net and with him at top form, that can only be good news for his team heading into the postseason.
"We're all looking forward to it (the playoffs)," Cooper said. "I think we feel like we've had a good season this year. That's behind us now and the playoffs are a whole new game. It's exciting and we're all looking forward to it."
Like the rest of the FCD players, Cooper is confident about his side's chances in the playoffs.
"I think we're all confident in our ability," he said. "We have a lot of confidence in each other and the coaches have a lot of confidence in whoever is out there. We have put a lot of work in this season. This is important for us and we want to be playing on November 12."
FCD head coach Colin Clarke has also taken notice of his two young stars and how much they could mean in the playoffs.
"They've been big for us," he said. "Kenny has had a great year and it's been well-documented ... For a player to come in his first year back, he's done remarkable."
Clarke heaped similar praise on Thompson.
"Abe, in the last six or seven games he's played, has made a big difference for our team and to the way we play," Clarke said. "It was great for him to get a goal over the weekend (against Los Angeles) and great for his confidence. Big games for some young kids, but I think they'll be able to cope with it."
Many coaches feel that the experience of playing for a championship at any level can only help. In Thompson's case, he went to the NCAA College Cup with Maryland in each of his final three years with the Terrapins, then was on the game-day roster for the second leg of last year's meeting with Colorado in the MLS playoffs.
"I think it will help him," Clarke said. "He's been through it at Maryland in some big games in the Final Four. He knows what it's all about. He's been here for a few years, has that experience and knows what to expect. He's an honest player and only knows how to play one way. That's how he'll play on Saturday."
Clarke has yet to settle on a starting 11 for this weekend but Thompson has played well paired with Ruiz up top. And Cooper has been just as effective playing at the left midfield spot. Barring a major departure from a formula that has worked for FCD recently, Clarke should employ a similar lineup this weekend.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
