FRISCO, Texas – Schellas Hyndman was at a loss for words on Wednesday when asked about the status of injured Panamanian forward Blas Pérez. All he could do is throw his hands up and shake his head.
“I don’t know. I think it’s still to be determined,” Hyndman said eventually. “Blas has been a very disappointing injury, especially when he didn’t even do it here for us.”
Pérez almost single-handedly kept FC Dallas afloat with five goals and three assists in 13 games to fill the scoring void while David Ferreira was still recovering from his ankle injury. Then, just when Ferreira was set to return, Pérez picked up a foot problem while on international duty with Panama.
The injury wasn’t thought to be serious with a two- to three-week original diagnosis, but Pérez still hasn’t even returned to practice for FCD.
Sealy filling the void
In Pérez’s absence, Hyndman has tried a few different options, but it seems as though Scott Sealy has earned the starting forward spot for the time being. The Trinidad and Tobago international has started the last three games up top for FCD, rewarding Hyndman’s faith with two goals, both coming against Portland.
“It’s amazing what happens when you’re not sitting on the bench,” Hyndman said. “When you’re on the field, good things can happen. [Pérez’s injury] gave Scott a chance and I think the coordination now is not just Scott getting his chance, it’s David on the field giving the passes.
“Brek now is looking to give the passes too, so hopefully [Sealy] will continue to work hard and put himself in the right places to finish.”
Hyndman likes USOC format
The Hunt family was surely smiling on Wednesday night as a team it once owned, Sporting Kansas City, took home the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second time in franchise history.
The tournament enjoyed a major overhaul this season in both the format and how the hosting privileges are determined. The moves were designed to give lower-league opposition a better chance while limiting the ability to simply buy a home match in every round.
“I think the format is good,” Hyndman said of the current system. “I think it’s been better this year because it’s taken away the opportunity of just buying the home field, which has been done in the past, giving a lot of advantages to the teams that are willing to go out and spend that money.”
