June 12th, 2007 . 2:18 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

I am a little divided, do I stay or run away, and leave it all behind? – Dave Grohl

FCD is still on field #4 as the practice field is in over seed and shutdown mod.  Another beautiful day in FCD land as it only gets to 91 or so by the end of the session.  Hot enough to sweat but not enough to make me annoyed.

There are two guest player/trialists here today, neither of which are Ricardinho.

News Notes and Observations

- Trialist: George Abbey, ex of Port Vale.  He’s a right back who has 19 caps for Nigeria.  He’s on the recommendation of some people Morrow knows.  There is a report that Houston might also be interested, but Morrow didn’t know anything about that.  Abbey’s in Dallas for at least the week, maybe two.  Morrow said Abbey did enough today that he will get a serious look from the staff. 

Instant scouting report (just add water): Fit, strong, and quick.  Didn’t look at all out of place with speed of play.  Plays aggressive defense intercepting passes, and was very willing to get forward.  He would need little time to get up to game fitness as he looks to have been in high level training.  Passes well and showed a willingness to take guys on.  Didn’t see any crosses from him so no way to judge that.

- Guest player: Colin Murtaugh.  Northern Ireland U21. He’s signed with Wrexham but Morrow knows his father.  He’s here more as a guest player to work fitness.  Although there’s also a thought for Morrow to get a quick look at him as a possible “one for the future.”  I won’t bother with a scouting report because he’s not really on trial and is currently under contract with Wrexham.  He’s just in to get some good high level training.

- Ramon Núñez was jogging on the side.  He’s officially got a “tight groin.”  Morrow says he’s out of training to play it safe and they will give him a go tomorrow.  If he passes the test he will be eligible for the game Thursday.  He was also available on the bench last Saturday post injury, so I imagine he will be this week as well.

- Clarence Goodson also jogged on the side.  Like Ramon they are just being careful with him.  Technically Goodson is “questionable” but will probably be ok to play.  Just a reminder he doesn’t have a tear or strain of the hammy, it’s just a bruise from a Charlie horse.  Which while stiff and sore is not really an injury.

- Adrian Serioux has begun to step up work on cardio fitness, which means mainly more running.  Today he was jogging with Núñez during the team session.  He’s still on pace to train end of the month and currently fighting through the rehab discomfort.

- Roberto Mina has a flight back from Argentina tonight.  He will be evaluated tomorrow when he arrives.  In case you missed the controversy, you can read about it here.

- No word yet on Kenny Cooper, doctors are still trying to decide on the options.  I assume that means some sort of bar or plate or perhaps just a cast. Although it’s a break of just one bone in the leg and not both I am told.  I don’t know if Cooper is going to the FCD docs or some other docs.

- Hislop is working as the goalkeeper coach for FCD but is still also training.  Morrow commended Hislop on his professionalism in the dual roles, but also says FCD will bring in another part time goal keeper coach to help Hislop and to train him as well.  They need to keep Hislop in player shape and it’s hard to coach one’s self all the time.

- Morrow says there is one more detail to be worked out with contract between league, CAP, and FCD.  As soon as that is worked out to both parties satisfaction Ricardinho will come to Dallas and start training with FCD.  Technically he will be on trial as the work visa is worked out.

- Barring New England pulling out the grass for turf, this Sunday will be the last game on turf for FCD this year.

Catching up with Steve Morrow

Not as much longwinded stuff today as most of the notes were simple ones above.  But Morrow did have a couple things to say, so I’ll translate.

On Drew Moor:

I think he’s done a good job at right back.  He’s getting more and more comfortable with opposition and I want to continue to work with it.  I think he’s had his ups and downs as well and we’ve talked through that.  He was very, very disappointed with himself after the Houston game, you know we sat and watched the video together and it took him a couple days to get over that.  You don’t often see Drew have such a bad half such as he did against Houston in the second half.  So he’s had his moments and his lapses of concentration, but for the most part I think he’s done a good job.

Buzz coach speak translator: Drew’s been fine and will get better.

On Toja as attacking mid:

I thought he did very well.  That position suites the attributes that he’s got and suites his game.  He’s able to get into the box a little bit more and make forward runs to join the front players and play in positions further advanced up the field.  He’s very strong on the ball, we are able to get the ball into him in tight areas with people on him.  He’s able to hold guys off and feel comfortable in tight spaces.  I think he gets in spots where he frees himself up, he looks up and he picks out good passes as well.  So I think it’s a position that suites him and something I’ve wanted to try as well.

Buzz coach speak translator: Sometimes I amaze even myself.  How do I come up with this sutff?

On Marshal’s foul on Cooper:

On the record, I felt it was a very bad tackle.  I’ve spoken to the league and I know they are reviewing the situation and I’ve encouraged them to do that. I think they’ve looked at red cards before and it’s up to them to decide whether it warrants something else and extra punishment. But I thought it was a very bad tackle.

Buzz coach speak translator: Dirty bastard.

And no I won’t tell you what he said about it off the record.  So don’t even ask.

On squad rotation for Toronto:

I haven’t really thought too much about Toronto.  We’re obviously getting a lot thinner as well and the options are getting less.  To lose the players that we’ve lost for such a long time with the injuries that we’ve got, it’s been a very, very unlucky on us. I want to take the Salt Lake game first and see how we come through that and see how the boys react to that.  See if we’ve got any more injury problems, see how the game goes, what result we get, and take the Toronto one after that.

Buzz coach speak translator: What do you mean we have two games this weekend?

On looking at a DP: 

We certainly have options to get a DP player in, yeah.  Like I’ve said all along, early on in the season we tried hard to do it, and all we said was if something else came up in the summer transfer window then we’d continue to look at it.  I’m always looking for ways that we can strengthen our team and their are options out there at the moment. There’s always ways and means of fitting it in and I’ve been mindful of that all along.  We feel if the right thing comes along and we have the backing of our ownership and if it’s the right move then they will support us in that.

Buzz coach speak translator: We’re trying to sign a DP, probably [name deleted to keep Buzz from getting beaten next training session].

Training

First session after the usual run and warm up was two possession-games.  Nothing earthshaking in the possession games in terms of player combinations, but I get a first look at the two new players.

Second session involved three teams, team vs. team at each end.  Win the ball and play the other way against the third team.  This drill works small group combinations but also requires end to end work and fitness.  It’s a fairly common drill Morrow runs.  We can also spot combinations and groups in the drill.  For example Pitchkolan worked at center back next to Yi in the first team with Gbandi and Moor as outside backs (Goodson and Serioux both out).

Lineup Prediction

Goodson will again be ok to play, Núñez I think off the bench after the quality game the team had against LA.  Obviously Cooper is out and Ruiz is still not back, so the lineup is fairly no brainer as the same one as against the Gals.

Thought of the Day

It’s times like these that a young forward is going to get a chance at some serious PT and make a name for himself.  With Ruiz gone for the Gold Cup, Cooper out with the broken leg, and Mina almost certainly done for the year, FCD has essentially lost their planned on starting front three.  Any replacement player for Mina will take a couple weeks at least to arrive, then a few to integrate into the team. 

So it’s loads of PT for players who were not really going to get a lot from the start of the year. Arturo Alvarez, Abe Thompson, and Dominic Odruo you’re up. Scott Jones are you listening?  Chase, Sandi?  Play well enough and you may force Morrow to change his thinking. This is your chance to prove that you do deserve to play more.  These are the times a career break through can happen.

…or not and FCD will spiral down the standings.

Categories: Practice Observations.

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