CARSON, Calif. – FC Dallas owner Clark Hunt recalls speaking to manager Schellas Hyndman at MLS Cup 2008 at The Home Depot Center about the need for a playmaker as they sought to rebuild the club.
The example used was that of Argentine forward/midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who had made a dramatic difference for the Columbus Crew.
“In Columbus, there was a good model with Schelotto,” Hunt told MLSsoccer.com after his team’s Western Conference Championship triumph. “We talked about the need for a player like that in Dallas and [Hyndman] went out and found an incredible one."
That someone would be David Ferreira, who came on loan from Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense last season and has proven to be crucial to FCD's success in 2010.
“David Ferreira has had a sensational year and what a performance in the playoffs the last couple of weeks,” said Hunt.
Ferreira was once again the difference-maker in Sunday’s Western Conference Championship as FC Dallas beat the LA Galaxy 3-0 to advance to their first-ever MLS Cup. (Sun., Nov. 21, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Galavision)
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His 26th minute opening goal is being called the turning point of the match, and he also provided the decisive pass on the third strike by Marvin Chavez to round out the score.
Ferreira turns, finds the net
“When Marvin touched the ball to me, all I had on my mind was to shoot,” Ferreira said of his first career MLS playoff goal. “I hit it with my right foot and found the opening. That settled us down. I was dreaming of scoring today and we did it. We managed the game from there and got the win.”
Even after adding a goal and assist to his two assists from the opening round series against Real Salt Lake, Ferreira could only think back to the tougher times during his first season in MLS.
“They trusted in me and I feel like I’m responding to this trust,” Ferreira told MLSsoccer.com. “It was tough at the beginning, and despite this, Schellas believed in me and had the trust to put me in games. This gave me a lot confidence.
“In my entire career I’ve encountered difficulties, but I’ve always emerged from them with work and dedication.”
This could turn out to be the most magical week in Ferreira’s life. He is a finalist for the league MVP award, which will be announced on Friday, and he will hope to help his team hoist its first-ever MLS Cup title in its 15-year history.
“The goal is to be champions, and tomorrow we’ll start thinking about Colorado,” Ferreira said. “We’re going to do everything possible to get this title and we hope that on Sunday we’re doing the victory lap again.”
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