Heading into Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft, head coach Schellas Hyndman admits that a few holes remain on the FC Dallas roster.
The problem is, he’s only got one pick.
After trading their second-round selection to Kansas City for goalkeeper Kevin Hartman before the 2010 season, the club’s lone selection this year will be the 11th overall pick. Still, Hyndman (above, center) sees depth in the current draft class and tremendous value in his team’s first round selection.
“The class in itself is very balanced,” Hyndman told MLSsoccer.com by phone from the MLS Combine. “You’ve got good flank players, good strikers, good holding midfielders and good defenders. I think there’s going to be something that we will be happy with at the 11th pick.”
The club has already worked hard this offseason to address their needs, signing Panamanian striker Blas Peréz and center back Hernán Pertúz of Colombia. But the FCD aren't done addressing the center back and forward positions.
“The area of need would be to get a little bit more balance in our club," Hyndman said, "that balance being strikers and defenders."
Depth is a major concern in Dallas, particularly at center back, as George John continues to seek a potential move overseas. Hyndman has expressed confidence in Pertúz as a competent replacement should John depart, but the team has little depth behind the club’s new 22-year old Colombian import and incumbent starter Ugo Ihemelu.
FCD could also use an infusion of talent up top and out wide, and Hyndman sees a tremendous amount of attacking talent in the current class, potentially adding depth to his strike force.
“Darren Mattocks is a young Generation adidas player that has super-quick feet,” Hyndman said. “He’s very athletic and could also be a wide player. Then there’s Casey Townsend, who is a strong, active player. And Ethan Finlay out of Creighton did very well the other day as a flank midfielder. That’s a nice group of players.”
With only one selection, the club will have the opportunity to solidify one of these holes through the draft, and Hyndman is clearly leaning in one direction.
“If it came down to getting the best forward or the best defender from the draft, we’d probably want the best defender,” Hyndman said.
Either way, there is one trait that Hyndman would like to see from their lone selection – experience. After all, a lot will be expected of their one-man draft class of 2012.
“If you get a first round draft pick, you’re hoping that someone can come in and at some point in the year and be a regular starter for you,” he said. “We have a number of developing Home Grown players, so we’d like to get players that are a little bit more mature.”
