FC Dallas are within days of officially adding Mark Wilson to their roster, and the addition of the former England under-21 international midfielder could be a vital piece to the club's postseason hopes.
As FC Dallas has endured a seven-game winless streak -- the Hoops haven't won a league match since June 25 -- the position that seems to have caused the most trouble is the third spot in midfield after Ronnie O'Brien and Simo Valakari.
"We've obviously gone through a patch that isn't good at the minute," said FCD head coach Colin Clarke. "A lot of different little reasons for that -- maybe the midfield spot is one of them.
"When people are not as sharp as they were in the early part of the year -- not only there but in other spots as well -- we need to just stay patient and we'll turn it around. It's not going to be a problem. But yeah, you have Ronnie in there and Simo and the third one is up for grabs at the minute."
The 26-year-old midfielder from Scunthorpe, England, has had his work visa approved and now just has to return to the USA from his homeland and join FC Dallas. A product of the Manchester United youth system, he worked into the senior team but was unable to break into the world class midfield. Wilson then moved to Middlesborough in 2001 where he struggled through injuries and was also unable to break into the starting lineup.
"Yeah, he's going to have an opportunity," said Clarke of whether Wilson can step into that third midfield role. "But he's going to have to win the spot."
Wilson has shown the level of commitment he's willing to bring to the club as he has been in Dallas for the past two months after he paid his own way and stayed with new teammate O'Brien while training with the club.
"Basically, I thought if I want to play football I've got to come out here out of contract and work out and earn myself a contract over here," said Wilson. "And that was fine by me. I didn't have a problem with that, I've enjoyed every minute since I've been here.
Hoops fans will remember back when an unknown Irish midfielder named O'Brien joined the club from storied Juventus in Italy. His impact on the club has put him among the league's top players and training with modern legends like Edgar Davids and Alessandro Del Piero seems to have been contagious with O'Brien and could turn out the same for Wilson coming in from Manchester United.
"The big reason why I came out here was to test myself again," said Wilson. "I've been fortunate to be at two clubs that have won things, and a lot of things and it's about time I played a big part in it. This is definitely a club where I can fit in and come and better myself and hopefully win a trophy or two."
Wilson is not expected to return in time for Saturday's match against Chivas USA, but he will almost certainly be available for the Sept. 3 home game against the San Jose Earthquakes.
"It will take two or three games to get into the pace of things," said Wilson. "I'm pretty fit right now -- not match fit, but I've got a good base to work from and I just can't wait to get out there and play now."
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
