FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty didn’t train with the team on Wednesday, but said he’s eager to return to practice this week and is expected to travel with the team to face Colorado on Saturday.
McCarty, who has missed time since suffering a right quadriceps injury suffered during FCD’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on July 17, said he no longer experiences any pain in his right leg when striking a ball. He is listed as questionable Saturday’s game against the Rapids.
Should McCarty not be able to start for the second straight week, Bruno Guarda looks to be the logical choice to fill in.
Hyndman Takes in All-Star Game
FCD coach Schellas Hyndman wasn’t in attendance at training on Wednesday, because he was in Houston for coaches’ meetings in conjunction with the 2010 MLS All-Star Game. FCD had a pair of players-midfielder David Ferreira and defender Heath Pearce – who appeared in the MLS All-Stars’ 5-2 loss to visiting Manchester United.
Assistant coach John Ellinger handled training in Hyndman’s absence.
A Winning Combination
When Milton Rodriguez connected for his first MLS goal in the second half at BMO Field on Saturday, the goal punctuated a new partnership with fellow Colombian Ferreira, who got the assist on a perfectly-placed corner kick.
That’s clearly a combination Hyndman expects to see connect more down the stretch this season.
“Milton is adding some things to our team. He’s a good finisher, he can hold the ball very well and he’s a good distributor,” Hyndman said. “The thing that we didn’t really know that much about was how good he was in the air. He’s got great instincts, good timing and good technique on the header. We saw that here in training. Where we’ve had players in the past who’ve missed it; he found a way to score. With a goalkeeper, a guy at the near post and a guy at the far post, he still found a way to put it in. It was a big goal for us.”
