With the exception of reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus, there hasn't been a hotter club in the second half of the season than FC Dallas. Since the MLS All-Star Game, FCD is 6-3-1 and not only has become the highest-scoring team in MLS with 47 tallies, but Schellas Hyndman's club has also clawed its way into the playoff race.
On Saturday, the Colorado Rapids visit Pizza Hut Park in a huge match for both teams. While FCD has been rolling of late, the Rapids' fortunes have trended downward of late. Colorado has four straight draws and hasn't won since Sept. 5.
And on the road, the Rapids have hit an even bigger rough patch. Their last win away from Dick's Sporting Goods Park was on May 30, a 3-2 win at New York. Since then, the club is 0-4-4 away from home and has been outscored 14-7 in those games. Gary Smith's team has just a 5-16-3 record all-time in Dallas.
Despite their recent struggles, FCD midfielder Dave van den Bergh, second in MLS with 10 assists, knows Colorado remains a formidable foe.
"They've got plenty of players that can hurt us but we've got plenty of players that can take out their good ones," he said. "We have some players ourselves that can do some damage to other teams."
FCD and Colorado have already met twice this year with both meetings coming on the Rapids' home field. On June 24, the sides tied 1-1 when Colorado forward Omar Cummings forced a tie with a late goal. On July 11, they met again and the Rapids prevailed 1-0 thanks to a tally by Kosuke Kimura.
However, much has changed for FCD since then. Hyndman has completely retooled his back line. Colombian Jair Benitez was brought in to play left back. U.S. national team player Heath Pearce was signed to play on the right while the club acquired Ugo Ihemelu from the Rapids for Drew Moor. Rookie center back George John also became healthy and is now partnered with Ihemelu in central defense.
The FCD coach is pleased with his back line, a unit that has helped his club keep clean sheets in two of its last three games.
"I think we have one of the better defenses in the league right now," Hyndman said. "When you look at the matchups for those players, let's say George John matches up with (Conor) Casey, that's two pretty physical players. They're both hard-headed and courageous. Then, you've got Omar (Cummings), who has pure athletic speed and he's going to be marked up with somebody with pure athletic speed (Ihemelu).
"Then you've got the players on the flanks, Jair (Benitez) and Heath (Pearce), pretty good defenders. I think we've got one of the top three defenses in the league right now as far as matching up, but every defense can have its moments of weakness and every player can turn the ball over at the wrong place and at the wrong time in the defending third that can lead to soft goals. I think that we're not giving up the soft goals that we used to."
Hyndman is also aware that the Rapids' fortunes have dipped since the two sides last met back in mid-July.
"I think there have been a few teams that really haven't played their best soccer of late," the FCD coach said. "It could be call-ups, injury or it could be just fatigue. We're coming into our best of the year and continue to rise. It helps when you defense doesn't give up goals and it helps when you've got the scoring leader in Jeff Cunningham that can find goals with the (David) Ferreiras, van den Berghs and others that can get into the attack.
"We're a better team today than we were the last two times we played Colorado. As far as what they have done, I said it when we played New England there a while ago. I said we would be a much better team when I can quit worrying about us and focus on the opposition. I don't know if we've gotten there yet, but we're much closer. As far as what Colorado is going to be bringing, it's an important game for them. It's been a really good series and we're better now. Let's hope we continue to get the production we've been getting and let's leave it on the field."
Earlier in the week, Hyndman closed practices to the public and media for the entire week, a somewhat unprecedented move for FCD.
"For me, all the games are big because they have long-term implications," he said. "It's just that we're running out of games. Now we see the light at the end of the tunnel and we want to get there. So of course, it's a huge game for us. If we're able to get through this game, then the next game is going to be the biggest game. For us, it's just playing one game at a time. We're getting it done on our own merit and own ability."
Saturday's game also features the two top scorers in the league in FCD's Jeff Cunningham, who leads MLS with 17 goals and Colorado's Conor Casey, who is hot on his heels with 16 tallies.
However, Cunningham, the reigning MLS Player of the Week, isn't concerned about the Budweiser Golden Boot. Like his teammates, his focus is all about the playoff push his club is making.
"It's an important match for our club," Cunningham said. "It's a must-win game for us. We just need to work and hopefully come away with three points."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com
