Fresh off a 2-1 win against the Chicago Fire on Thursday, FC Dallas head into Sunday's match with Real Salt Lake at Pizza Hut Park looking to extend their winning streak to three games. That would be their longest skein since the Hoops won four in a row last summer between July 8 and July 29.
With consecutive 2-1 road wins at Chicago and last Saturday at Kansas City, FCD have already done something in 2007 that they only accomplished once all of last year - win consecutive matches away from home.
And ironically enough, those two wins came at Chicago (3-2 on July 15, 2006) and Real Salt Lake (1-0 on July 22, 2006), the only difference being that this year's schedule has FCD facing RSL in Frisco instead of in Salt Lake.
Missing from the lineup on Thursday was captain Carlos Ruiz, who was suffering from a hamstring strain and was left off the 18-man traveling roster. Ruiz was on the bench in the Windy City to cheer on his teammates.
FCD head coach Steve Morrow said that Ruiz's status would be evaluated after training on Saturday morning and then he would make a decision on whether or not he would start the Guatemalan international on Sunday.
On Friday, Ruiz was doing some individual work with Hoops assistant Oscar Pareja. He continues to sport a cast on his right hand from a wrist injury suffered on Monday. Ruiz played last weekend against Kansas City as a substitute but now has not scored in the last five games.
"We're just trying to test out his hamstring," Morrow said during a recovery session on Friday. "He's out doing a little bit today but we're not pushing him too hard. He woke up this morning feeling a bit better, so that's a good sign. We'll give him another 24 hours and see how he reacts in practice."
In Ruiz's absence, the striker combination of Kenny Cooper and Abe Thompson has flourished. Cooper has scored in each of the last two matches while Thompson has registered assists in that same time frame in his first two starts of the year.
So, the question had to be asked, even if Ruiz is available and healthy for Sunday, would it make it harder for Morrow to keep him out of the starting 11 considering how well Cooper and Thompson are working together?
"Not really," Morrow said. "We know we've got a deep squad. I know what I'm going to get from Abe and Kenny. Abe hasdone a great job for us in the last two games. But like I've said before, Carlos is a special player and is very important to us. We want to concentrate and get him fit as well."
Another option, although unlikely could see Morrow employ a three-forward lineup with Cooper, Ruiz and Thompson on the field at the same time. But that would mean that Morrow might have to put one of his midfielders on the bench.
"I think it (playing three forwards) is (an option)," Morrow said. "I would look at all options. If I think it's the right fit, I wouldn't mind trying things."
Ruiz has five career goals against RSL, three of those coming last year while Cooper has three and Thompson has two.
Besides Cooper, FCD have also gotten goals from Colombian midfielder Juan Toja in each of their last two wins. Morrow has clearly been impressed with what he has gotten from one of his newest additions thus far this season.
"He's been no surprise to us," Morrow said. "I think he took a few games to settle in and everyone is seeing his quality now. After the game last night (in Chicago), he told me that he feels like he is finally settling in and that the guys around him are getting used to him.
"That's a good sign. I think as the season goes on, he's only going to get stronger. He's got great quality on the ball, has great defensive qualities as well and works very, very hard."
The FCD boss was also complimentary of defensive midfielder Pablo Ricchetti, who has been impressive in his first two starts for the Hoops.
"I knew that was what I was going to get from him. He's a very smart player and knows where to be. He breaks up a lot of plays by knowing where to be and by being in the right spot," Morrow said. "He's a clever player and gives Juan (Toja) and Dax (McCarty) the freedom to get forward more knowing that they have that security behind him."
RSL represent a team that FCD have had much success against. All-time, the Hoops are 6-2-1 against their next foe. That includes a perfect 4-0-0 mark at home with three of those wins coming in Frisco. On April 7, the sides met at Rice-Eccles Stadium to start the regular season and finished in a 2-2 draw. RSL got two goals from Jeff Cunningham while Cooper and Ruiz scored for FCD.
Morrow knows that containing Cunningham, who has netted three of the six goals that RSL has scored this year, will be a key to being successful on Sunday.
"We have to use good concentration with him. He's one of those guys who can be quiet for most of the game and then pops up and takes his chance," Morrow said. "He's a dangerous player. I'm pleased with how Clarence (Goodson) and Alex (Yi) have played in the last two games and am confident that they can handle things."
RSL come in as the only winless side in MLS but they are 0-0-2 since former Dallas legend Jason Kreis took over as head coach on May 3. Morrow has noticed a number of changes in RSL since his former Dallas teammate has become their coach.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
