The changes for FC Dallas on offense have certainly been noticeable this season.
With the continued outstanding form of U.S. international striker Eddie Johnson and playmaker Ronnie O'Brien -- along with the addition of Carlos Ruiz just before the season -- the club possesses the most prolific strike force in MLS. All three players are in the top 10 in the league in scoring: Ruiz is the leader with seven goals and two assists, O'Brien is tied for third with five goals and five assists, and Johnson is seventh with five goals and one assist.
But lost in all the hype has been the improvement of the defense from a year ago. In 2004, the Dallas Burn allowed 45 goals in 30 games -- the second-most in the league. This season they have the second-best defensive record in MLS, 10 goals allowed in 11 games for a 0.91 goals-against average.
"It's been great, everybody is humble in a way that no one of us think that we are bigger then the team and that's an important attribute. We just all want to contribute to the greater cause," said FCD goalkeeper Scott Garlick.
The selection of the Hoops 'keeper was the last and most difficult decision for coach Colin Clarke to make. The day before the season opener, he tabbed Garlick as his No. 1 -- and the veteran has been between the posts since.
"We talked about it at the beginning of the year -- it was probably going to be the hardest decision to make, between Scott and Jeff [Cassar]," said Clarke. "It was very close and Jeff picked up a little injury to his finger right before the start of the season and he missed a couple of weeks training -- not saying that was the deciding factor but it had something to do with it."
Even with injured players and national team call-ups the focus and determination have been there. Considering all the circumstances, for the Hoops to be at .500 at this stage in the season would be considered acceptable, but for the team that would be a travesty.
"With Bobby [Rhine] coming to right back, he has done very well for not having played defense before -- you have Clarence [Goodson] coming in and playing like a veteran," said the 33-year-old 'keeper.
"Everyone has done exactly what's asked of them and not looking for too many positive things, they just want to be part of the group and that's the most exciting thing about it for me -- that everybody just wants to be a part of the group and just do their part and feel disappointed if they don't. And not for selfish reasons, but because they didn't contribute to the team the way they wanted too."
The defense prides itself on camaraderie and cohesiveness regardless of the lineup. The back four plus Garlick has stuck together like glue to form a bond.
"We have been doing that [hugging] pretty much most of the games this year," said FCD Goodson. "Just kind way of congratulating everyone for their performance and being a good cohesive unit and everyone coming together -- putting the work in and everyone acknowledging one another's hard work more or less."
However, with all this early success FCD will try and maintain their composure. The season is a 32-game marathon, and it's only reached the one-third pole.
"Yeah it goes both ways -- you can look really poor in the beginning and pour it on at the end or there are teams that have done really well in the beginning and have not made the playoffs," said Garlick.
"We want to continue to do well -- the real trick in this league is to be consistent over time. We have done that for a short period of time and now we need to continue to do that. Once you get in the playoffs anything can happen, but you need to put yourself in that position."
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
