FRISCO, Texas – Racing out to first place in the Western Conference, FC Dallas have found great success working their attack through their fastest players so far in 2013.
Whether it’s running past defenders with the ball or chasing down long balls to the corners, the quickness that Fabián Castillo and Jackson in particular bring to the pitch has been an integral part of the offense.
“When you go on the flanks,” head coach Schellas Hyndman explained on Friday, “right now we have the potential of going with Fabián, Jackson and Kenny Cooper and I think we have the capability of doing a lot of good things there.”
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Jackson in particular has been a consistently dangerous threat this season and leads the team in shots and shots on goal, is tied for the scoring lead with Blas Pérez and Andrew Jacobson and is second in assists.
“I think a lot of teams are very aware of the speed we have and they are starting to play their best players outside to put pressure on us,” the Brazillian midfielder told MLSsoccer.com through an interpreter. “At the same time, I don’t see that as a negative because it does create opportunities for Jair Benítez and David Ferreira.”
And that, Jackson added, may put him in a good position to utilize his quickness against FCD’s oppnents on Saturday, the two-time defending champion LA Galaxy (7:30 pm ET, NBCSN, live chat on MLSsoccer.com).
“I think Leonardo, who played with me at São Paulo, he would be a good one to target on the right side,” Jackson explained, citing the LA central defender. “That will be a good matchup for me speed-wise.
“When we’re side-by-side and I’m going for goal, I think I’ll be able to maneuver around him. From what I’m seeing on film, he’s not as fit as I am at the moment.”
