As the season comes to a close…
By: Robert | September 17th, 2007With the Hoops season winding down (six MLS games left) its time to look at the prospects of bringing league silverware to Frisco, TX at the end of the year. FC Dallas has the players and the ability to be champions but there are definitely liabilities that may keep a north Texas trophy from being a certainty. But I’m a believer so let’s start with the reasons why this season will end with a Pizza Hut Park victory.
1. Carlos Ruiz
A couple months ago I wrote he was the most influential player in the league, able to change the focus of defenses without even being in-form, but Ruiz is beginning to find the back of the net (four goals in the last five games.) The Dallas offense has been potent this season despite the lack of production from one of MLS’ best goal scorers but now that he is rounding into form opposing keepers will be picking the ball out of the back of their net more often than they wish.
2. Denilson
The media rightfully criticized Britney Spears woefully, un-inspiring performance at the VMAs last week, but if she’s fat, as some pundits described her, then we’re all in trouble. The same can be said for Denilson, he’s not fat but he’s not in game shape yet; its apparent practicing with Brazilian league reserves will not have you ready for an MLS game but he’s getting there. Every time he takes the field he looks a little more game ready, and even if he is not able to make 25 yard runs for the entire 90 minutes he won’t fade late in games.
3. Kenny Cooper
Before former LA Galaxy now Toronto FC defender, Tyronne Marshall went all UFC on Cooper’s left tibia Kenny was looking forward to adding to the progress he made last season. He’s back on the practice field now, no word on a specific return date, but his return could push this offense to another level.
Unfortunately there is a flip side to that championship coin:
1. Juan Toja’s ankle
He’s tried to play on it a few times since he came off the injured list but it’s obvious that he’s nowhere near 100%. When healthy Toja is engine in the middle of the field, fighting for every loose ball, making plays for others and scoring goals when needed but in his absence (and in the games in which he’s appeared but not been healthy) opponents have been able to run through the middle of the field and expose a really weak back four.
2. Drew Moor, Aaron Pitchkolan, Clarence Goodson, Adrian Serioux, Alex Yi, Chris Gbandi, Bobby Rhine, David Wagenfuhr
FC Dallas’ defense is struggling, no matter who Steve Morrow puts on the field, they can’t stop anyone. The Hoops were never going to be mistaken for great defenders but they are giving up goals in bunches to talented teams. Earlier this season FC Dallas put together a five-game span that included four clean sheets and while that aberration was never going to continue but what’s going on now at the back is laughable at best.
3. Record against the league’s best
The Hoops have done almost nothing against Chivas USA, New England Revolution and DC United (long-time readers know my feelings on the Houston Dreamsicles and why I’d never enter their name into this discussion) this season. A combined record of 1-4-1 against the teams they will need to beat to lift silverware does not inspire confidence especially when you consider recent form.
If Toja can find his pre-injury form the Hoops can once again be considered a favorite to lift the trophy at the end of the year. His presence protects a defense that has to be considered a team weakness. But if his ankle does not fully heal in time then unfortunately in Dallas the FC might stand for “false contender.”
HOOPS PRIDE!
I apologize for the lack of updates recently I had a second catastrophic computer failure this year. I won’t say I’m back for good becuase knocking on this wood desk has done no good so far but hopefully there will be no more issues.
Category: Game Analysis
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments are closed
Home 
