Throughout this season, first-year player Kenny Cooper has been a fixture in the starting 11 for MLS Western Conference-leading FC Dallas. The Dallas native was again a starter in Saturday night's 2-1 playoff-clinching win against Real Salt Lake, but this time hit the field as a left-sided midfielder, where he replaced another local product in Ramon Nunez.
In the 14th minute, Cooper hit a blast from about 20 yards out toward the RSL net. Goalkeeper Scott Garlick thought the ball would sail clear of danger and made no attempt to play it. But the ball curled just inside the far post and FCD had a 2-0 lead and Cooper had his 10th goal of the season, second-most on the team this season.
FCD head coach Colin Clarke was pleased with Cooper's performance in the midfield.
"He played on the right side at Salt Lake and did very well," he said. "He's a player that can play that position. When we brought him in, we never felt that he was only a center forward. He's better when he can get space and run at people. I thought he did well out there. He had a great goal. He's one of our options (in the midfield and up top)."
Cooper's play on Saturday also earned high marks from fellow midfielder Richard Mulrooney, who has won a pair of MLS Cups in his eight-year career.
"Considering it was a new role for him, he did well," Mulrooney said. "He cut the ball and had some shots and had a goal too. Considering he was right-footed and playing on the left side, he did as well as anyone else would have in his situation."
Not surprisingly, Cooper also offered a positive assessment of his play in the midfield.
"There have been a couple of times (this year) when the coaches have put me out there," he said. "It wasn't something totally new to me. I played it before, while at Manchester United."
Considering forward Carlos Ruiz, who scored his team-leading 11th goal on Saturday, is now hitting his groove offensively, along with the strong recent play of fellow striker Abe Thompson, Cooper could be Clarke's answer on the left side of the midfield.
Ruiz and Thompson started up top on Saturday and seem to be a combination that is quickly getting very comfortable with playing together. That could mean Cooper will then move back to the midfield, possibly on a regular basis.
"I think, naturally, I'm an attacking player," he said. "I've enjoyed the last few games that I've played out there. I just want to make a positive contribution to this team, whether I'm playing midfield or forward or whatever the coaches ask. I love being on the field."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
