FC Dallas vs. Club Atlas, 7:30 p.m. at Pizza Hut Park
Thursday, March 23 -- 10:00 a.m. at Pizza Hut Park
Friday, March 24 -- 10:00 a.m. at Pizza Hut Park
Saturday, March 25 -- FC Dallas vs. Kansas City Wizards, 7:35 p.m. at Moore Stadium in Moore, Okla.
Sunday, March 26 -- DAY OFF
- Schedule is subject to change. All times Central.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
ALVAREZ TOPS SCORING CHARTS: With two preseason matches left on the team's calendar, midfielder Arturo Alvarez finds himself atop the team's scoring charts with four goals from the team's 10 matches. The 20-year old bagged a pair of goals against SMU on February 28, and then two more against Brentford two weeks later on March 14. First-year players Kenny Cooper and Dominic Oduro are close behind with three goals apiece while Roberto Mina, Carlos Ruiz and Abe Thompson each have a pair of goals on the year.
All totaled, 17 different players have scored for FCD so far in the preseason, totaling 28 goals while the goalkeeping trio of Ray Burse Jr., Jeff Cassar and Dario Sala have allowed a eight goals in the 10 matches, leading the Hoops to an 8-2-0 mark.
HOOPS GETTING HEALTHIER: With just two weeks left before the MLS Season Opener against Chicago, FC Dallas is closing in on a return to full health for all 28 of the players its roster. David Wagenfuhr, who had missed much of the preseason with an ankle injury, made his debut as a second half substitute against Portsmouth on Wednesday and is closing in on full fitness. Midfielder Ramon Nunez, who has not played in any of the Hoops 10 preseason matches as of yet, also returned to training on Monday after missing time with a quadriceps strain.
Their return leaves just three players on the sidelines because of injury, though none of them are expected to miss large portions of the season. Defender Alex Yi continues to progress from a hamstring strain that he suffered against Sandefjord in Spain. He did not appear in either of the team's matches in England, but did participate in all strength and conditioning drills while also working with Head Athletic Trainer Josh Watts.
Also working extensively with Watts in England was goalkeeper Jeff Cassar who has a right hip injury and is being evaluated by team doctors.
The final injury worry comes from midfielder Richard Mulrooney who continues to rehab from a serious knee injury that he suffered last season. He trained with the club in most drills during the team's European preseason trip, before returning home two days early as previously scheduled.
RAINS HAVE NO EFFECT ON FIELDS: Despite the torrential downpours that swept across North Texas over the weekend, FC Dallas still managed to hold its scheduled training sessions on Saturday and Sunday on the adidas Field. More than eight inches of rain was dumped across the region over the weekend, leaving most soccer fields unplayable and under water. However, because of the state-of-the-art drainage system that is found, underneath the Pizza Hut Park stadium field, as well as all 17 training fields, there was little to no standing water to be found across the SoccerPark.
The start of the 2006 FC Dallas season is just around the corner so don't miss your chance to see the action at Pizza Hut Park all season long by ordering your season tickets today. There are a wide range of seating options available, starting at just $180 per ticket for a full season plan which includes all 16 FC Dallas regular season home games, as well as four bonus games. There are also significant discounts available on FCD's ten and five-game ticket plans. Call 1-888-FCD-GOAL or visit www.fcdallas.net to reserve your spot at Pizza Hut Park for the exciting 2006 FC Dallas season.
