FRISCO, Texas — With a pair of starters out for Saturday’s match with Toronto FC, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman has yet to settle on who will replace them in the first 11 this weekend.
Right-sided midfielder Atiba Harris and holding mid Daniel Hernandez, who is also FCD’s captain, will both miss Saturday’s contest due to yellow-card accumulation.
In training this week, Hyndman has experimented with a number of players in both spots. On Thursday, Brazilian Jackson Gonçalves filled in the holding spot while Honduran international Marvin Chavez was on the right side.
Besides Jackson, the FCD head coach is looking at several other players to fill in for his captain in the middle of the park: Eric Avila, Eric Alexander and Bruno Guarda. Yet Hyndman says none is an ideal option based on their skill sets.
The Brazilian newcomer appears to be the favorite to earn his first MLS start on Saturday.
“Jackson is the fourth and he’s a true defender, so he already has the mentality of marking and ball-winning,” Hyndman said. “Can he hold his shape? Does he understand the coordination and are there language problems? There are a lot of complications there but, all in all, on paper, he’s the most qualified to go in there.”
As for who will fill in for Harris, it looks like Chávez could get the nod.
“He’s one we’re looking at,” Hyndman said. “Marvin’s probably played there the most. Avi can play there. Jackson can play there, but it’s hard for him to play in the center and there. We know we’re going to have to replace two players. We’d like to have Dax [McCarty] back [in the linking role] but it doesn’t look like he’s recovered to that point.
But the FCD gaffer and his staff won’t make the final decision until game day.
“You look at our injuries and look at the availability of players, what we’re hoping to do is put in a player like Jackson who brings more of a defensive spirit,” he said. “It could backfire as well. We’ll sleep on it and see what we’re going to do tomorrow.”
Youth player could get PT
For the second straight day, forward Milton Rodriguez did not train on Friday due to a shoulder knock he picked up in last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Columbus. Jeff Cunningham, who has recently been coming off the bench, has been filling in with the first team and could stand to make his first start since June 5.
But there might also be some playing time for Ruben Luna, a product of the FCD youth system.
“[Rodríguez] will be a game-time decision,” the FCD manager said. “He’s still a little banged up in the shoulder. We’re looking at the possibility of him coming on the field or I think Ruben will be dressing out.”
El Capitán
With normal captain Hernandez suspended for Saturday’s match, Hyndman named David Ferreira as interim captain against the Reds.
“I think Kevin Hartman would be a great captain, but it’s tough to be that far away from the goal if you get a free kick,” the FCD manager said. “We’re very organized and very disciplined. We want things done a certain way. It’s hard for a captain to be in goal and say, 'No, someone else is supposed to take it.' So, we’re trying to get somebody involved.”
Ferreira has been the straw that stirs the FCD offense this year. The Colombian playmaker has six goals and leads the team with eight assists.
“It’s a great honor and also a big responsibility to be captain of this team,” he said on Friday. “I will take it and work harder than normal because wearing the captain’s armband is going to be a big responsibility.”
