FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas center back George John will be a game-time decision for the Hoops’ matchup against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday after missing the team’s scoreless draw against San Jose last week with a hamstring injury.
“What we didn’t want to do was push him in this exercise and hurt him," said FCD coach Schellas Hyndman. “We’ll test him before the game.”
Dax McCarty, meanwhile, is expected to be available after missing the last eight games with a strained right quadriceps muscle suffered on July 17 against RSL. Rookie Eric Alexander, who has one goal and an assist while filing in for McCarty, will likely start against New York on Thursday.
"[McCarty is] an important part to this team," Hyndman said. "The team has done remarkably well without him and getting him on the bench, which means he could get maybe 20 minutes. We would not be dressing him if he didn’t pass his tests. This is the first time he’s been able to pass his tests.”
Rodríguez or Cunningham?
Jeff Cunningham got his second straight start at San Jose, but failed to score against the Earthquakes. With Milton Rodríguez now fully recovered from a shoulder injury suffered at Columbus several weeks ago and working with the first team on Wednesday morning, it looks like Cunningham could be heading back to the bench against New York.
Rodríguez has one goal and one assist in his seven starts with the club, while all but one of Cunningham’s eight goals this season have come as a substitute.
“They’ve looked exactly the same as they have since they’ve been here,” Hyndman said. “The two of them are really a good duo for us as we play our 4-1-4-1 system. They each bring their own special things.”
