FC Dallas
Pizza Hut Park (Capacity: 20,500)
2005 Record: 13-10-9, 48 points (2nd in the Western Conference)
GF: 52 (5th in MLS)
GA: 44 (5th in MLS)
Finish: Lost in Western Conference Semifinal Series on penalty kicks to the Colorado Rapids after their series finished tied 2-2 on aggregate.
Head Coach: Colin Clarke
Key Departures: Forward Eddie Johnson, goalkeeper Scott Garlick, defender Carey Talley
Key Additions: Forward Kenny Cooper, midfielder Dax McCarty, defender Justin Moore
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Dario Sala: After joining the team late in 2005, Sala started just one game but showed the coaching staff enough that MLS veteran Scott Garlick was traded to Salt Lake. Sala plays with a flamboyant style much like the famous Paraguayan 'keeper Jose Luis Chilavert, where he acts almost as a sweeper behind the back four. The first month of the season should be interesting as the Argentinian acclimates himself to the team, but Colin Clarke has been known to change his 'keeper in the past and will waste no time going to veteran Jeff Cassar or SuperDraft pick Ray Burse if things go wrong.
DEFENDERS
Chris Gbandi: The left side of the defense was up for grabs for much of 2005, but Gbandi took charge down the stretch and solidified his place in the starting lineup. After struggling through injuries early in his career, Gbandi turned a corner last season and improved immensely. His tackling in years past was overzealous at times, but with improved positioning and better timing when moving into the attack Gbandi has become a solid defender.
Clarence Goodson: After a full season in the starting lineup Goodson has come into his own and although his resume isn't as glamorous as Greg Vanney's, he might be the Hoops' best defender. His tall, skinny build is deceiving as he is strong in the air on corners and free kicks and isn't one to shy away from a tough tackle.
Greg Vanney: As the elder statesman and leader of the defense for the Hoops, Vanney was a steadying force in 2005 and with his success in Los Angeles before heading to France, he knows what it takes to get it done in MLS. The 32-year-old could play a role similar that Oscar Pareja had over the past few years, acting as a coach on the field leading a fairly young backline and plenty of young reserves who will learn a lot from the veteran.
Bobby Rhine: These days, big trades and transfers are the norm, but Rhine has stuck with the Hoops since being drafted out of Connecticut in 1999, making him the longest tenured player on the roster. Clarke put Rhine at right back last year and he did well moving forward but at times was caught out of position defensively. With his work ethic and understanding of the game, Rhine can only get better on the defensive side of the ball and is a versatile asset for the Dallas.
MIDFIELDERS
Simo Valakari: A solid defensive midfielder but perhaps too well known among the league's referees as a foul waiting to happen. During the 2005 U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Chicago, Valakari was sent off and missed the final, which proved costly as FCD lost to the eventual double-winning Los Angeles Galaxy. If he can stay out of disciplinary trouble, Valakari will be a strong force for FC Dallas.
Mark Wilson: A late addition in 2005, the English midfielder helped the Hoops right the ship following a disastrous midseason winless streak. With Richard Mulrooney still recovering from his knee injury, Wilson will get the starting nod early in the season, but competition for spots in the midfield will be fierce once Mulrooney is back at 100 percent.
Ronnie O'Brien: The most beloved Dallas player since Jason Kreis, the Irishmen has a motor that doesn't quit. He is a well known threat that forces teams to overload his side of the field to shut him down. At times in 2005 the Hoops were one dimensional trying to feed everything through O'Brien, but the emergence of Ramon Nunez should open up space and allow O'Brien to increase his danger level.
Ramon Nunez: For the pessimists, last season for FCD was a year filled with injuries. But for the optimists, it was the year Nunez stepped up his game and proved what all the hype was about. Nunez will have strong competition from Arturo Alvarez for the starting job on the left side of midfield, but Clarke's decision to grant the young Honduran the weight of the No. 10 jersey shows how much confidence his boss has in his ability.
FORWARDS
Carlos Ruiz: Arguably the most dangerous striker to ever lace up a pair of boots in MLS, "El Pescadito" was signed to a big contract in the offseason that should see him in hoops for years to come. The Guatemalan is a certainty to start up top for FCD, but his effectiveness will depend on the chemistry he develops with either Roberto Mina or Kenny Cooper.
Roberto Mina: With Eddie Johnson off to Kansas City the starting spot next to Ruiz is Mina's job to lose. Dubbed the "Raging Bull" for his imposing size and smooth skill on the ball under pressure, Mina has the potential to put the Hoops over the hump in their search for their first MLS Cup. Another in-season addition to the team in 2005, Mina will benefit from a full preseason as his fitness was an issue down the stretch last season.
OUTLOOK
FC Dallas should have no problems scoring goals this season with a plethora of skilled attackers. But the limited depth in defense and the lack of a proven starting 'keeper could make a top three finish in the much improved Western Conference a tough goal to reach.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT: Kenny Cooper.
The long sought-after Dallas native who joins the team from Manchester United should bolster an already strong core of attacking players for the Hoops. If Cooper doesn't win a starting role he will be a solid option for Clarke off the bench, but U.S. players coming back from Europe have been hit or miss in MLS, so only time will tell where he fits in with Dallas.
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
