FRISCO, Texas — When FC Dallas drafted Eric Alexander in the third round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, head coach Schellas Hyndman knew exactly what he was getting. The Indiana University product was a versatile midfielder who could play a number of spots.
Thus far with FCD, Alexander has played the holding and linking roles and, in Thursday’s 2-2 draw with New York, he also filled in on the left flank after Brek Shea was ejected in the first half.
Alexander assisted on FCD’s first goal and scored what many thought might be a game-winner in the final frame. He also found time to clear a shot by Dane Richards off the end line in the first half and nearly connect from long range early in the second, though his effort caromed off the left post.
“Eric Alexander could have been the man of the match for us,” Hyndman said on Friday. “He hits a ball off the post. He scores what could have been a game-winning goal and he saves a ball off the line. [Those were] pretty big, important moments for a young player.”
WATCH: Alexander splits the New York defense for a goal
His offensive explosion was a big function of a pregame pep talk he got from his head coach.
“Schellas talked to me before the game about trying to get forward more,” Alexander said. “I tried to do that and it paid off with a goal and an assist. When I cleared the ball off the line, I think I lost the ball at midfield, so I was just looking to get back and help keep one out.”
On FCD’s first goal, Alexander received a nice cross from Heath Pearce, heading it into the box where Milton Rodriguez finished with his own header for his second goal of the year.
“I remember when Heath had the ball, I was on the line, looking around and just floating in the air," Alexander recalled. "I realized we had two or three guys unmarked in the box. So I knew if I got a head on it, I’d be able to find someone. I just headed it in Milton’s direction and luckily, he headed it in.”
Early in the second half, he nearly connected on a nice shot from range that instead struck the left post.
“When we’re in the attack, Schellas likes us to shoot and create chances even if it’s a half chance,” Alexander said. “I had the ball on the endline, cut it back and had a few steps on their left back. So I tried to curl it back post. I got unlucky it hit the post but it was a good attempt.”
But his goal was a thing of beauty. After gaining possession in the midfield, he dribbled forward, splitting two Red Bull players before finishing beautifully just inside the right post.
“I picked it up. When you’re down a man, you don’t really have much expectation going forward, so you have a little bit more freedom,” Alexander said. “I tried to use that freedom to try something new and it worked.”
It was another good performance for the rookie, who also had a goal and an assist in a win over D.C. United at RFK Stadium on August 14. Last night marked his seventh straight start as FCD’s linking midfielder, though he finished the night at left midfield.
“With Indiana, they play a certain style of soccer and they found he was a little more effective and contributing more to the team because he’s a composed finisher,” Hyndman said. “He’s got a great service and the game’s not as fast for him out wide as it is in the center.”
“I had to adjust to it at first, the pressure and stuff because being down a man was different,” Alexander said. “Overall, there wasn’t too much of a change. I enjoy that position as well as the center. It was fun.”
