As the elder statesman on the FC Dallas roster, veteran defender Bobby Rhine has seen it all since being drafted sixth overall by the club in 1999. He has played for four different head coaches, at three different stadiums and has also seen countless teammates come and go.
But Rhine admits the recent signing of Daulio Davino, a former Mexican international and center back for powerhouse Club America, is as big as he has seen.
"I was saying to (general manager) Michael Hitchcock the day after the signing that not since Hugo Sanchez (in 1996) have we had a Mexican international here," Rhine said.
"That's one move that's very good for reaching out to the Hispanic community but at the end of the day you're going after quality players. From what I understand, he's a very good player, a good hard-nosed defender and a good leader. He's what we're looking for from a center back."
One other big addition during his time with FCD came in 2005, when the club added Carlos Ruiz, who was recently traded to the LA Galaxy.
"He's been our captain and a guy that's gotten most of our goals. Anytime you part with someone like that, it's difficult," Rhine said. "Clearly, the club is looking to take a different direction. I'm sure that they had players in mind before this trade happened. I'm curious to see who they are to try and fill Carlos' shoes."
The product of the University of Connecticut has played in 205 league games for FCD, 130 of those starts. A former forward, Rhine has 23 goals and 33 assists in his career. But he concedes that as each year has passed, his preparation has changed a bit.
"Now, I spend a lot more time weight training in the offseason not to gain weight but to gain flexibility and core strength (than I did before)," he said. "That's something very important for soccer and hockey players, guys who have to make short, quick moves. I'm not saying I can do that but I have to be at my best. It's been the key for me. I've remained relatively injury-free for the last few years, so something must be working."
Rhine moved from the front line to the back line in 2005 and last year played in 19 games, seven of those starts, most coming at right back. His transition to defense remains a work in progress.
"The big question for me will always be about how I handle one-v-one matchups with guys that are skillful, creative dribblers," Rhine admitted. "There aren't too many guys like that in MLS but we have one on our team in Arturo Alvarez and I think facing him in training every day has been part of the learning process."
In 2007, a highlight for Rhine came in July when he started at D.C. United, his 200th game with FCD.
"Although I didn't play very much last season which was very disappointing for me, there were still some high points for me as a defender, especially down the stretch where I was called upon and did a good job," he said. "There are things I can take away from that."
The MLS veteran acknowledges that with Davino's addition, head coach Steve Morrow could elect to employ a three-man back line. But if that is the case, Rhine knows he can help the team in other ways.
"We'll just wait and see because if we play three in the back, then I'm probably the odd man out," he said. "Fortunately enough for me, I can play at several spots. It will be interesting to see what my role is with the team this year. Steve (Morrow) counts on me to be a team leader and a guy who helps steady the ship during rocky moments. That's a responsibility that I enjoy and it's the kind of player that every team needs. That's been my role since I've been here."
Rhine was a rookie the last time FCD won a playoff series and admits that their recent run of postseason failure, which has now reached five consecutive series, has gotten old.
"That continues to be a theme, not just with FC Dallas but with all Dallas teams and their playoff problems," he said. "From a personal standpoint, you just get tired of losing in the first round.
"We can have great seasons or mediocre seasons but the result in the playoffs has always been the same and for me, that gets old, especially since I'm running out of time to try and capture a trophy," Rhine continued. "It's certainly always on the mind of all our players and we hope to remedy that this year."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
