FRISCO, Texas – Forget MLS First Kick.
FC Dallas star midfielder Brek Shea says it’s always a special occasion for him when he faces the New York Red Bulls.
“I feel like knowing that they are a big market team and they’re a more recognized team, I get more excited,” Shea told MLSsoccer.com after his team's final practice before Sunday’s season opener (3 pm ET, NBC Sports Network). “I get excited for every game but I do think I get more excited for these games.”
During Saturday morning’s training scrimmage Shea lined up at left wing for the side that projects to be the starting squad on Sunday afternoon (4-1-4-1 formation): Kevin Hartman – Jair Benítez, Hernán Pertúz, Ugo Ihemelu, Zach Loyd – Daniel Hernandez – Brek Shea, Andrew Jacobson, Ricardo Villar, Fabián Castillo – Blas Pérez
While he has apparently beat out Panamanian Carlos Rodríguez to the left wing spot, Shea does not rule out that he could line up at forward at some point during the match against the Red Bulls.
“We’ll see what happens. Things can change during the game,” the 22-year-old said. “I like playing up top. It’s a new challenge. Almost more free of a role and I like that, but I like playing left mid. … We’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t say it’s not going to happen. I might get a few minutes up there. I’m just ready for anything.”
Fans at home should be ready for a brand new hairstyle from Shea just in time for the 2012 home opener and the first match ever on the NBC Sports Network.
“Not exactly sure what I’m going to do. I’m going to go to someone [Saturday],” Shea said about his new hairdo. “I haven’t really decided what it’s going to be, to be honest.”
It’s just another reason for fans to watch a match that pits two teams with MLS Cup aspirations in 2012.
In front of a sold out FC Dallas Stadium crowd – standing room seats were being sold on Saturday – Shea knows that it’s a moment that he and his team need to seize.
“We want to make a stand and show that we’re here to play this year,” Shea said. “And we want to show the fans that come out that we want them to keep coming out. We want to play good soccer and win entertainingly.”
