With its forward corps depleted a bit due to injury, FC Dallas could definitely use Kenny Cooper right now. The FCD forward, who suffered a broken right tibia after a hard tackle by former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall (now with Toronto FC) in the waning moments of a 3-1 win against L.A. on June 9, continues to work his way back.
Even with the Hoops a bit thin up top, head coach Steve Morrow isn't ready to hit the panic button, but still would love to have Cooper back nonetheless.
"We've got a lot of injuries again," he said. "We're missing Kenny (Cooper), Roberto (Mina) and Ricardinho right now, which is obviously a concern for us. But we've got Dominic (Oduro), Carlos (Ruiz) and Abe (Thompson). So, we have enough there."
Before Cooper's injury, he had four goals and two assists. The second-year Dallas native was well on his way to following up a stellar debut campaign in which he netted 11 goals and had four assists. Just after his injury, it was estimated that he would miss around two months. With the two-month mark coming on Saturday, Cooper is expected to begin working his way back as early as next week.
Cooper's injury came at a time when fellow striker Mina was recovering from a knee injury. The Ecuadorian international then had knee surgery in Argentina and has since been put on the season-ending injury list.
Replacing him on the roster was 19-year-old Brazilian Ricardinho, who was playing well before he suffered an injured hamstring in the Hoops' SuperLiga finale loss to the Galaxy on July 31. His return to the field is near and could possibly come this weekend against Columbus.
When asked about when he expects to see Cooper back on the field, Morrow admitted that he and the FCD training staff has yet to set a timetable for his return.
"I don't think we've set a date yet to say when he should come back," he said. "He's making good progress and we certainly have a timetable where, over the next few weeks, we see him getting to. He needs to get rid of the limp first with his walking and then he'll start jogging. I would say that from the original diagnosis, we're certainly on schedule for his return, which is good news for us."
Last week, Cooper had the cast removed from his foot and continues to use a walking boot.
"The last two weeks have been really good," he said. "I feel like I've made a lot of progress and can't complain. The trainers have been really awesome to work with. I'm just taking it day by day, but I feel like I'm really making some good progress."
While he has been on the shelf, Cooper admits that he has been catching all of the club's away games on TV, but it's just not the same for him.
"My family all lives here in Dallas and are huge FCD fans. We might go to my sister's house to watch a game or something like that," he said. "I think the team has been doing great. I've been watching the games but I miss playing so much. My injury is what it is and I'm trying to deal with that. I'm excited about the progress that I have made and coming back."
Morrow has gotten nice production from his other forwards this year. Second-year striker Oduro, who has made just eight starts, has three goals. Captain Ruiz has just three goals and two assists, not the numbers one would expect from the Guatemalan international, yet he recently ended a long scoring drought. And Thompson had two scores and four assists in just eight starts.
But once FCD get Cooper back, it can only help the Hoops attack. And with the club seeking a second consecutive MLS Western Conference regular season title and also in contention for the league's Supporters' Shield, Cooper's return could be enough to put FCD over the top.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
