FRISCO, Texas — November got even better for Schellas Hyndman on Thursday. Just one week after he celebrated a birthday and saw his FC Dallas team eliminate defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake from the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs, the FCD head coach learned he was named 2010 MLS Coach of the Year.
“November’s a good month for Scorpios,” he said on Thursday. “I’m honored and I’m humbled to receive this award. I think our coaches this year in this league have been tremendous.”
Hyndman, who led FCD to a 12-4-14 record in 2010, a mark which allowed them to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, had plenty of people to thank for their indispensable roles in his winning the award.
“I really appreciate ownership for believing in me, bringing me here and then giving me time,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of my assistant coaches that have worked so hard behind the scenes that don’t get the recognition. I wouldn’t be as successful today or FC Dallas wouldn’t be successful today without them.”
But, of course, the support network behind the team is only one part of the equation. The other part is the team itself.
WATCH: FCD on Hyndman's award
“I really appreciate the players,” Hyndman said. “These guys have bought in. You see how hard these guys work for each other, how much they enjoy each other, that team chemistry. We all want players with talent but we really look at players with character as well.”
There might not be a happier member of that roster to see his coach win the award than FCD captain Daniel Hernandez, who has known Hyndman for more than a decade after also playing four years for him at SMU. During his time in MLS and also in Mexico, Hernandez has always maintained a close personal relationship with Hyndman. That bond opened another chapter when Hernandez joined FCD last fall and then became the team’s captain earlier this year.
“It’s simple, he deserves it,” Hernandez said. “The success that we’ve had this year is definitely because of him and the coaching staff.”
“He’s earned it,” said goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who was acquired by Hyndman in March after being released by Kansas City. “He’s a guy that has gotten the most out of his players. He’s been a manager, somebody that has been easy to work with. He’s made changes when they needed to be made. That recognition [of the award] certainly goes a long way for him but I know he’d rather win the championship this year.”
