FRISCO, Texas -- George Johnās last trip to Seattleās Quest Field with FC Dallas was largely a forgettable experience.
It was the final game of the 2009 regular season and FCD was clinging to the faintest of playoff hopes. The Texan club led 1-0 at the break thanks to a goal by Atiba Harris in the 14th minute, but the Sounders turned it around with goals from Nate Jaqua and Brad Evans to prevail 2-1 and put an end to FCDās season.
John, a native of Shoreline, Wash., had to leave that match in the 68th minute due to injury. And heās clearly ready to make his return to the Emerald City.
āSeattle is home for me. Thatās where I grew up and played college soccer,ā John said after training on Monday. āIt feels like home when I play there and Iām going to have a lot of friends and family watching me. Obviously, itās a pretty intimidating stadium to go into with all the fans, but Iām just going into it like any other game this season [and try] to get a win.ā
After a rookie season that was defined more by several injuries that kept him off the pitch for much of the year, the big center back has responded in 2010. He is currently one of only two FCD players to have started all 13 games ā captain Daniel Hernandez is the other ā and played all 1,170 possible minutes this season.
Hyndman definitely likes what he has gotten from his defender in 2010.
āI think George has really been doing well. Itās just nice to have him on the field,ā the FCD coach said. āItās nice to have the kind of match-up with the big boys. I think George can handle physical play. He can dish it out and heās maturing.ā
The University of Washington grad rates his performance so far this year a bit lower.
āI think itās about average for me. I definitely can go back throughout the season and think of some key mistakes, mental lapses that Iāve had,ā John admitted. āBut I feel like Iām growing and improving, which is the most important thing. Being healthy has been a big concern and Iāve stayed healthy so far this season.ā
Even though he feels he could have performed better in 2010, he realizes this year is a whole new ballgame compared to how things went for him last season.
āLast year, I was up and down with my fitness level [because of] all the injuries,ā John said. āThis year, staying healthy has allowed me to be fitter. My endurance is there and everything.ā
For all but one of those games ā the March 27 season opener against Houston ā John has started alongside veteran defender Ugo Ihemelu and they have formed an effective partnership in the middle of the field.
āItās good. I feel like weāve got a close partnership on and off the field,ā said John. āIām just learning from him. Heās the veteran and Iām just trying to take as much as possible from him every game and in practices. Heās a great leader and a good guy to have out there.ā
And Ihemelu likely thinks the same of his young partner.