2008 FC Dallas preview: Midfield (I want my rabbit!)

By: Robert | February 19th, 2008

(part 2 of three, maybe four)

Admittedly, my defensive preview was clouded with the frustration and bitterness of 1.47 goals allowed average. But today is the midfield, FC Dallas’ strength. At their best the Hoops can put a death grip on the middle of the pitch that slows an opposing offense to a crawl, at their worse their grip is kung-fu in description (I’m from the 80s). Staidly put, these guys can play.

Last season: Last season’s midfield success starts with the acquisition of Juan Toja, everyone’s first half MVP. Toja out-hustled, out-executed and out-performed everyone placed on the field against him. Pablo Richetti and Marcelo Saragosa also excelled as a defensive midfield pairing and Arturo Alvarez finally made the leap everyone had been expecting. Team USA’s U-21 Dax McCarty added meaningful minutes down the stretch and earned some great experience filling in for injured players.

Unfortunately for all the praise that can be heaped upon the midfield unit, things weren’t always so wonderful. After returning from a mid-season ankle injury Juan Toja faded costing FC Dallas a serious run at a double and himself a chance at a MVP trophy. To make matters worse Saragosa tore his right meniscus on August 11th and was done for the year. But for all the Dr. Nick Riviera related problems the Denilson signing may have trumped them all. Hailed as the final piece to the championship puzzle (I think I said something like that but I don’t want to look back and see how wrong I was), he arrived in Dallas barely a shadow of his former self. And while he was great in the locker room, he fit like a square peg in a round hole on the pitch. I forget who said it but his time on the field was like watching a magician wave his hand repeatedly over his magic hat, never actually reaching in to pull out a rabbit.

This year, I want my rabbit! (that should be a new FC Dallas chant…I think I’m on to something)

Major Changes: Outside of putting Denilson out to pasture not much else was needed, the players on the roster already constituted a strong midfield and adding Andre Rocha to the mix should do nothing but strengthen one of the league’s best units.

Outlook: FC Dallas has an embarrassment of riches; the only real question is the formation Steve Morrow will employ. In my opinion Saragosa and Richetti should be in the middle of the pitch as a solid defensive pairing with Toja in front of them, even though Toja is more a two-way player than your typical attacking midfielder. Last season proved that although Alvarez is left-footed he has no problem on the right side of the field with his “fake to the right, dive in and shoot” move that works even when defenders should see it coming. However I get the sneaking suspicion that like most players he would rather have his strong foot on the outside. Therefore Rocha on the right is the only possible question mark, and word on the grapevine (shout out to the California Raisins) is that he could have a huge impact this season. Expect to regularly see Dax McCarty filling in for either Saragosa or Richetti so they stay fresh throughout the season.

All that of course assumes that Steve Morrow plays with five, regardless, MLS’ best midfield will be found deep in the heart of Texas.

(Was that gratuitous? Maybe)

That was a lot of fun to write, it’s always easier to talk about talent than the lack thereof. Random throwaway piece of information, I don’t have the numbers in front of me but unless I’m remembering incorrectly none of those guys is getting paid a king’s ransom which means in Dallas the midfield makes FC stand for “fabulously cost-effective.”

HOOPS PRIDE!

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