FC Dallas this week begin their heavy stretch of road matches in advance of the opening of their new stadium in Frisco, Texas, as they face a run of three games in eight days -- with trips from coast-to-coast -- starting with West Coast rival San Jose on Saturday, a midweek clash at home against the struggling Colorado Rapids, and then the road again to the East Coast to play D.C. United.
Over the next three months, FC Dallas will play 10 of their next 14 games on the road while the Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Center is being completed. The first league game in the new facility is set for Aug. 6 against the MetroStars.
"Traveling is hard and it will be nice to get into the new stadium," said FCD midfielder Ronnie O'Brien.
The Hoops, in second place in the Western Conference, will have their own destiny in hand playing against the third-place Earthquakes.
"We don't want to look ahead, we will take one game at a time," said FCD coach Colin Clarke. "We will get San Jose out of the way, then worry about Colorado."
Facing the Earthquakes won't be an easy proposition. San Jose has momentum on their side, coming off a 1-0 victory on the road against the MetroStars 1-0, and they are looking to pass FC Dallas -- the gap between the teams currently at two points.
FCD isn't the only team that has a great 1-2 punch -- Clarke's defenders will have their hands full holding down the dynamic duo of forwards Brian Ching (four goals and two assists) and ex-Dallas player Ronald Cerritos (three goals and two assists). Both players are in the top 10 in individual scoring, but the coach won't change anything prior to the game.
"Obviously we will have to watch out for those guys, but we have no special plans," said the FCD boss.
Steady veteran keeper Scott Garlick has been instrumental and vocal in helping keep the young defense intact -- maintaining third place in MLS goalkeeping with a goals-against average of 1.17, saving 15 of 22 shots. On the flip side of the coin Pat Onstad has not had the same luck -- ranked 10th in GAA at 1.83, saving 23 of 34 shots.
"Pat is a good goalie -- he doesn't go down too quickly," O'Brien said.
The Quakes have other weapons to keep FCD on their toes -- midfielder Brad Davis leads the with six assists. He will try and continue to provide his quality service to the scoring duo, as the Hoops will look to counter with O'Brien who currently has two goals and three assist.
The bench will be San Jose's fallback as they have Alejandro Moreno to rely on -- he's only played 90 minutes, but has two goals to show for his quick work.
"Alejandro has been a good player since he has been in the league and he is good with his back to the goal," said Clarke.
It will certainly be the beginning of a vital stretch for FC Dallas, as they face their busiest period of the seaons thus far.
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
