As the buildup continued to the 2008 MLS season, many figured that 20-year-old Blake Wagner would be the starting left wingback for FC Dallas in Steve Morrow's new 3-5-2 formation.
However, a funny thing happened during preseason when veteran David Wagenfuhr emerged as the starter at that spot after a strong showing in February and March. Wagenfuhr was poised to be the opening day starter before he was sidelined with a concussion the week before the Hoops were set to face Chivas USA in the season opener.
So, Wagner stepped in. He performed relatively well in just his second MLS start but on a day where the Hoops couldn't keep possession, Wagner's performance was indicative of FCD's in general -- up and down.
That's exactly how Morrow characterized Wagner's day.
"I thought he did OK," he said. "It wasn't his best performance but he didn't do a lot wrong either. He was reasonably consistent. He's got to find that consistency as a young guy and play at a high level. I thought he did some good things in the game as well. Hopefully, he can take that now and start to grow in confidence."
Wagner offered a similar assessment. "I thought things went well there for me," he said. "I did phase in and out of the game but if I stay more consistent and focused in the next game, I think that I will be all right."
Morrow also feels that moving from left back in a 4-4-2 to left wingback has brought a learning curve for Wagner.
"I think it was (an adjustment) for him," Morrow said. "He was a little confused at the start with that position but now, he feels more comfortable with it, which is good. With young guys, it's all about learning the game. When he made that adjustment, he had a few question marks about where he needed to be and what position he should be in. But he's got it now and I think he's more comfortable with his role."
On Sunday, the Hoops travel to face Houston at Robertson Stadium, where they are 0-4-0 all-time in league matches. Wagner knows that if FCD is to leave the Bayou City victorious, they need to do a better job with the ball.
"Possession wasn't as good as we wanted it to be (against Chivas USA)," Wagner admitted. "But we've been working on it a lot in practice this week and hopefully, it will be better this weekend. We definitely need to keep better possession in the midfield and not kick it back and forth as much. If we just fight our way through it, I think it will be all right."
Depending on how the Dynamo line up on Houston, that means that Wagner will be matched up against either up-and-comer Stuart Holden or former FCD teammate Richard Mulrooney. He's ready for either one.
"He (Holden) a very good player but I'm going to go into that game like I do every other game," Wagner said. "It really doesn't matter who I'm playing against."
The same can be said for Mulrooney. "I played with Richard for a while here and know how he plays," Wagner said. "It's just like any other game, I just want to go out and do my thing."
The last time that the Hoops and Dynamo met in the regular season, it was Sept. 30, 2007 and Wagner made his MLS debut at left back in that game at Pizza Hut Park, which FCD lost 3-0. In addition to the four regular season losses at Robertson Stadium, FC Dallas also lost there in the second leg of last year's Western Conference Semifinals which eliminated the Hoops.
"Every time we play Houston, it's a big game," Wagner said. "Since they knocked us out of the playoffs last year, it's definitely a big game. It's always a fight and battle every time that we take the field against them."
Wagner said that a number of factors have accounted for FCD's futility in the Bayou City.
"It's everything combined," Wagner said. "It's the fans, the field and them being at home. It's different territory and is tough to play there. But I think that we can do it."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
