FRISCO, Texas — Not only have FC Dallas won their last two games to secure a playoff berth and extend their unbeaten streak to 18 games, but they have done so through goals from Milton Rodriguez and Marvin Chavez.
"I think the two of them have stepped up very well,” Hyndman said.
Chavez has started each of the last three games and has two goals in that span. He started the first two in place of Brek Shea, who was suspended after getting ejected from a 2-2 draw with New York on Sept. 16.
It was thought that once Shea became available again for the game against the Fire, he’d return to the first XI. However, Chavez started on Saturday and had a goal right after halftime that essentially broke the Chicago's spirit.
WATCH: Chavez buries Chicago
“Chavez has just been outstanding,” Hyndman said. “This is the Chavez we saw in preseason and then he got hurt. But he’s hard as a rock. He’s fast. He’s quick and he still needs to continue to go to the goal.”
The 2010 season has definitely been a roller coaster for the speedy Honduran. After preseason, he looked to have won the starting job at right midfield, but an injury sidelined him. Atiba Harris took over and started almost every game out there. In the meantime, Chavez has emerged as a force on the opposite flank.
“It has been really good for me personally," Chavez said. "I’m really happy that I have been able to help the team. You haven’t seen the best of this team yet. If we keep getting forward, hopefully we can get something else, like the MLS Cup.”
In 13 games this year, including seven starts, Chavez has two goals and one assist.
“When I wasn’t playing, I knew I had to be ready for when the coach called me," Chavez said. "You have to be able to produce and help the team. Everybody is going in the same direction right now and everybody is supporting everybody."
As for Rodriguez, he has scored four goals and added one assist in 11 games.
“Milton, he is a goalscorer,” Hyndman said. “He doesn’t have the speed of a Jeff Cunningham. He’s a little bit better holding the ball and a little bit better in the air but I think he softens up the defense a little bit, tires them out a little bit and Jeff comes in and gives them complete havoc.
"The two of them are really working well together.”
WATCH: Rodriguez tallies vs. Fire
Rodriguez said he's happy to be playing on a team headed to the postseason — and it helps that his goals have figured into Dallas' last two wins.
“They’re important for me and also for the team,” Rodriguez said. “Those goals have been very important to achieve the goal of qualifying for the playoffs."
