At this time a year ago, FC Dallas defender Drew Moor didn't know whether he would begin the season in the starting 11 or instead be on the outside looking in.
As it turned out, Moor began the season as a reserve, but by the fourth week of the campaign he moved into the starting lineup to stay, starting the next 21 matches in a row before sitting out a game through suspension for accumulation of yellow cards.
This year, Moor came into preseason as one of the starters at center back, knowing full well that he will be in the starting 11 once the Hoops start the regular season on April 7 at Real Salt Lake. That is a welcome change of pace for the Dallas native.
"I feel more experienced and older, but not physically," Moor said. "I've had a year under my belt now. (New head coach) Steve (Morrow) has done a great job of getting me that experience that I'm going to need for this season. I know more, am aware of more and think that's going to help me out in the long run this year. I know it's going to be a long year and a tough year. I just hope to be mentally prepared and think that with the experience I had last year and also from my rookie year that I am."
Last year, Moor played alongside Greg Vanney for much of the season and learned a lot from the eight-year MLS veteran. In January, FCD traded Vanney to Colorado, but the lessons Moor received under Vanney's tutelage remain.
"I learned a lot from Greg," Moor said. "I looked up to him and played alongside him for 27 games. He's an experienced player who has played in Europe and with the (U.S.) national team. The way he carries himself, he's very mature. He's had a great career that's not over yet. Being around him has taught me a lot. He took care of me and talked to me when it was time to talk. I think that's helped me out as well."
The sixth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft out of Indiana University, Moor didn't just show his mettle on defense in 2006 -- he also showed that he had a little offense in his bag of tricks as well. He got his first career MLS goal at Houston on May 6 and his first career assist came a week later in the return match against Dynamo in Frisco.
Moor also proved to be a workhorse, ranking seventh on the team in minutes played and spending all but one of his 27 games at center back. The lone exception came on May 13, when he started at right back against Houston.
Morrow, who took over for Colin Clarke as head coach in December, should know defenders, having played 10 years as a center back with Arsenal during a distinguished playing career that also included 39 full caps for Northern Ireland. Morrow clearly likes what he has in Moor.
"He's one of those guys who is still emerging but has got experience," Morrow said. "He hasn't performed as well as I know he can in preseason, but it's still early. We've sat down and talked about that. I want him to focus on his strengths and he did that in the last game on Saturday.
"I'm expecting a big year from him. I think he's one of those guys that can take it to the next level," Morrow added. "He's got all those attributes that you need to have in this league. He's strong physically. He's quick. He is a decent passer, which is the one thing he needs to work on a little bit. He's really learning the game now as well and is fitting into what I'm trying to accomplish with the back line. He grows in confidence all the time and shows a lot of maturity for a young guy as well."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
