FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas held their only training session on Friday afternoon before Saturday’s crucial matchup with Portland (9 pm ET; watch LIVE online), but one face was noticeably absent.
Schellas Hyndman chose to give winger Brek Shea the day off from training following a verbal altercation between the two in Wednesday’s loss to San Jose.
“I just think with the difficult road trip and the issues that recently occurred, this might be good down time for him without having to come in here and be a part of a pregame training,” Hyndman said after Friday’s practice. “He’s available tomorrow night. It will be a game-day decision.”
Hyndman noted that he and his struggling star have not since talked since the incident, but for the cerebral coach, that is by design.
“I think enough was said at that time so what I wanted to do … was give a little bit of time and space,” Hyndman said. “But I also believe in the philosophy that silence can be the loudest noise in the world. Nobody knows what you’re thinking, so it’s like you figure things out then we’ll get together.”
All eyes will be on Hyndman’s team sheet tomorrow night to see if the Texan plays – especially considering the other option at left wing, Fabián Castillo, is suspended due to yellow-card accumulation.
The longtime coach noted that he thinks most of Shea’s struggles are in his head, and the remedy is simply getting back to basics.
“I think it’s a mental thing and one of the best things I’ve found when things aren’t going well for you is you’ve got to build your confidence by working harder,” Hyndman explained. “You’ve got to do the things you can do without mentally thinking about it.”
