With a controversial 1-1 draw against CD Guadalajara in the opening match of SuperLiga 2007 in their
rearview mirror, FC Dallas now looks to make things right Saturday night, when they will face CF Pachuca at Pizza Hut Park.
FCD head coach Steve Morrow admits that he didn't have much time to dwell on his side's draw with Chivas on because he
started preparing for Pachuca soon after the match had concluded.
"One game finishes and you start preparing for the other one," Morrow said. "I had a good look at them on Tuesday. We knew
even before then that they are a good team that knocks the ball around very well. I thought they were unlucky to lose the
game (against L.A.).
"They created a lot of chances but L.A. defended well as a team and made the most of their opportunities. We know Pachuca is
going to be a tough game but we look forward to playing against them. Having got the first game out of the way, we know more
what to expect from this tournament and we're a bit better prepared going into Saturday."
FCD will be without the services of right back Drew Moor, who was sent off in the 72nd minute of the Chivas match after he
pushed Hector Reynoso after the Mexican defender hit him with a hard elbow and knocked him to the ground. Veteran Bobby Rhine
will likely take Moor's spot on the right flank.
Also missing could be goalkeeper Dario Sala, who continues to be bothered by an MCL strain his right knee, but his status
will be evaluated again on game day. In Sala's place on Tuesday, second-year 'keeper Ray Burse did well, making five saves
with the only goal he allowed coming after an apparent handball that went uncalled.
While the FCD players had a great deal of respect for their last opponent, they hold even more for their next foe.
"Pachuca is a very good team," said FCD center back Clarence Goodson. "They keep the ball well, have very good players and
it's going to be tough to get the ball off of them. When we do, we're going to have to keep it because we're going to get
really tired if we have to chase them around if we don't keep the ball."
Pachuca comes into SuperLiga as the defending champion of Mexico's Primera Division, and are also the current holders of both
the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and the Copa Sudamericana.
"Pachuca is a little step above Chivas," left back Chris Gbandi said. "They have more veteran players and more attacking
players, giving us a tougher game from a defensive standpoint. I think they are the class of the Mexican league right now.
We're looking forward to it. We want to win the tournament and they're in our way. So, we're going to do everything we can to
beat them."
Striker Dominic Oduro said that after facing Chivas, he noticed a pretty major difference between playing against MLS sides
and those from the Mexican top flight.
"They play at a faster pace than MLS," he said. "But once you get used to it, it's really not that bad. I think we'll do fine
against them."
Morrow stopped short of calling Saturday's match a must-win, but the FCD boss acknowledged that the Hoops need to get a
result if they want to advance beyond SuperLiga's group stage.
"I think considering how the other game went, I feel that it's a game we need to get something from if we are to advance in
the competition," Morrow said. "We know it's going to be a tough game against a good team. We need to get something against
them heading into L.A. (on Tuesday) so that we know exactly where we stand."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clus.
