FRISCO, Texas – It’s no secret that FC Dallas have been dealing with various injuries the last few weeks. And with injuries comes lineup shuffling and new players in the rotation.
Perhaps the most impressive substitute so far ths season has been goalkeeper Chris Seitz, who has started the last three games in place of injured Kevin Hartman. With the veteran ruled out with back spasms just before the team’s match against Vancouver on April 21, that opened the door for former Real Salt Lake and Philadelphia Union netminder.
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“I thought Chris had a great game against Vancouver,” FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman told MLSsoccer.com “He had no time to prepare. He was thrown in there at the last minute and preformed well. He had another strong game last week against a strong team. This time around, he had the time to sleep on it and prepare for LA. He played very well again.”
In 2010, Seitz started 22 games between the posts for Philadelphia but struggled to make stops for a downtrodden expansion team. After being selected by Seattle in the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft, Seitz was immediately traded to FC Dallas.
He only logged one appearance in 2011, but the 25-year-old has tallied seven saves in his three starts this year and was a big reason why FC Dallas were able to pick up their first road point of 2012 against the Galaxy.
“Obviously we’ve had a nasty bit of luck as of late on the road, so to get out of LA with a draw is not a bad thing,” Seitz said after the tie. “At the same time, we put ourselves in a great situation to win, and I think the team defense for the majority of that game was outstanding. The guys put a lot of heart into what we were doing and the game plan.”
According to Hyndman, Hartman may be ready to go as soon as this Sunday when FC Dallas host Colorado (7 pm ET, Galavision). But if he’s unable play, Seitz has proven he will be ready and there is no doubt everyone on the roster has utmost confidence in the reserve goalkeeper.
