When Steve Morrow was hired as the new head coach of FC Dallas in the offseason, he discussed how he wanted the Hoops to exhibit more toughness. Just a few weeks prior, FCD had traded for one player Morrow regarded as integral to that toughness -- center back Adrian Serioux. But FCD had another such player already on their roster -- defensive midfielder Marcelo Saragosa.
The Hoops had acquired the feisty Brazilian last July in a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Morrow considered Saragosa a big part of his plans in the FCD midfield this year. He started the first two games of 2007 before suffering a knee injury on April 12 in a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center, which put him out for a month.
After scoring in his debut against Mexican Primera Division side Tigres UANL, for the most part last year, Saragosa's contributions were defensive in nature. This year he has contributed on the attack with two assists in 13 games. One of those came on June 14 at Real Salt Lake, when he set up Dominic Oduro as he netted the game's only goal in second-half injury time.
Whether it's been on offense or defense, Morrow has been impressed with how Saragosa has performed this year.
"Marcelo has got a lot of strengths," he said. "When he concentrates on doing what he's best at, he's got a very effective role for us. He's wins the ball back, is very disciplined and keeps the play nice and simple."
Before the season, Morrow knew that Saragosa would be an integral part of his roster this season.
"I always knew that he had a role to play for us," Morrow said. "I saw some qualities in him last year that I thought could really be utilized. He's got a physical presence about him and has such a great attitude both on and off the field. He's one of the best professionals we have around here. I always know what I'm going to get from him."
For much of 2007, Saragosa and Pablo Ricchetti, who was added to the squad in May, have made an effective one-two punch at the deeper midfield spots. What was a big question mark heading into this season with the loss of last year's captain Simo Valakari has become a definite area of strength for Morrow's Hoops.
Even though he missed Sunday's loss at Houston because of a suspension, following a red card he received in the 81st minute of a 3-2 win against Columbus on August 11 for a hard elbow on Ned Grabavoy, Morrow doesn't feel that play is indicative of Saragosa's play. That ejection was the first of his four-year MLS career.
"I looked at it again and he's not a malicious player," Morrow said. "He's a very hard player who tackles hard and plays the game in a hard way. But I don't think he maliciously threw that elbow. He put his arms out to protect himself but I don't think it was deliberate."
Having served his suspension, Saragosa will be available, and will also likely be in the starting 11 when FCD returns to the pitch on Sept. 1 as D.C. United pays a visit to Pizza Hut Park.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
