Winter storm, injuries hinder FC Dallas workout

Ugo Ihemelu takes in FC Dallas' loss.

FRISCO, Texas — With the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex continuing to dig out from a blistering ice storm that shut much of the area down, FC Dallas took their second day of preseason training indoors on Thursday.


Schellas Hyndman’s club is slated to begin preseason play on Tuesday with a scrimmage against Houston Baptist, but the FCD gaffer wants to see his team get some sessions outside before then. That could happen as soon as Saturday, as the area is expected to thaw out considerably beginning on Friday.


But even though they might get outside soon, that doesn’t mean they’re healthy. Center back Ugo Ihemelu practiced on Thursday but could undergo surgery soon to address a sports hernia. This injury is different than the nagging hip and groin injuries that forced him out of the US national team camp in January.


“We’re going to get an evaluation [Friday] morning on the sports hernia,” Hyndman said. "It’s something that we need to get done."


[inline_node:323880]Second-year defender Zach Loyd, who also went to the US national-team camp last month and earned his first cap, sat out Thursday’s session with a knee issue that wasn’t deemed to be serious.


Also missing practice was Heath Pearce, who is fully recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him during FCD’s entire playoff run.


“He pulled himself out of training today,” Hyndman said. "His hip flexor was a little tight. He could train but he just doesn’t want to push it, so he can’t train next week.”


Defender Kyle Davies is expected to miss the next three to four months after having surgery on his left ankle last month, while captain Daniel Hernandez practiced but is still not 100 percent after having knee surgery just after the 2010 MLS Cup final in November.


“I don’t know [when he’ll be at 100 percent],” Hyndman said. “I think he’s still having some issues when he goes a little bit too hard. So he’s trying to work those out. We’ll have to continue to evaluate.”

Winter storm, injuries hinder FC Dallas workout -