RSL is supposed to be in their new stadium when we play them.

I’d like to say that I am surprised to see Guarda starting again but, I really not.

guarda over avila ?!

Great article!
I’m a little disappointed though that Cunningham is still a starter, him and Cooper don’t really seem to flow the way Cooper and Oduro do. Granted, he is a new player and is still getting used to the team, but in my opinion they should continue to practice him before playing him.

I also wish we would see Brek Shea’s name at least as a substitute! The guy has some great potential that could awe us all if he was given the chance to play. European teams are check’n him out and it would be ashame to lose him before he’s whisked away across the pond…just saying

Frank, That’s what happened in training today…

You know, Buzz, if that’s the sort of lineup prediction we’re gonna start getting from you, I’m going to have to ask you to stop going to practice.

What is the likelihood of Dax and/or Avila starting? Maybe I don’t know that much, but I’d think one or both should be starting. . . . (Sheesh, he an U20 Olympian. What’s Dax doing on the bench?!)

Also, what position(s) did Dax play with the Olympic team in the qualifiers?

Finally, in your true/honest evaluation, where in the starting rotation should Guarda be — based on what you’ve seen in practice and in the last game?

Thanks!

Jordan, you want to take the guy who has scored in 2 of his 3 games with the team out of the lineup? Are you serious? He isnt the problem with the frontline, Cooper is. He is still trying to do too much, and needs to stay up top rather than check back forty yards for the ball. Since Jeff has joined the club, he has done nothing but put himself in bad positions, in an effort to what I can only guess is to create room for Jeff to run. The kinks need to be worked out for sure, but Jeff should stay.

Buzz, check out the Pulse Pen.

Marco, sorry. Want me to predict something that won’t happen?

Hutch, given the training rotation I don’t think Dax or Avila will start against Col. Maybe CA, with the second MF rotation above. Dax played the deep midfield role for the U23s, which is where I would like to see him for FCD.

And Guarda shouldn’t be starting IMO. He’s not ready. A bit forced putting him in there, although I understand Schellas’s reasoning.

I also disagree with Guarda over Avila, but Guarda seems to be learning fast. I was at the Columbus game last Saturday and I thought Bruno had some nice passes, particularly the assist. I think Guarda will notch another assist and possibly a goal on Thursday.

My beef with Schellas is him putting Saragosa as d-mid. When Saragosa puts foot to ball, his passes more often than not end up as turnovers. He also has no offensive vision or creativity. D-mid needs to belong to Ricchetti, or Serioux in a pinch.

I would much prefer Ricchetti at d-mid and Shea at center back, even with Shea’s inexperience. When Davino comes back, I think a back line of Serioux/Davino/Shea/Moor would be FCD’s best combination of size, speed, and experience. Saragosa could play in reserve at left or right back, where his passing deficiencies would be less detrimental.

Thanks for the explanation. SIGH. I understand why SH is putting Guarda (3 yrs experience with SH’s “system”) in, but it still . . . does SH really think he’s “MLS” ready? He looked nervous and hesitant out there on Saturday (assist not withstanding) and like in the Toronto game, it seemed like he became the target of the opposition because he got knocked around a bit.

Oh, well . . . maybe FCD will still win this “must win” game.

SH is starting to really show how unprofessional and unready for this position he is. His grandson in drills and stepson Guarda starting are making this team VERY much family and a squad that completely sucks. Start the SH death watch NOW.

So, was Emerson scrimmaging against the pro’s. what do you mean by drills? was he holding his own?

pwip: the kid is 12, he ain’t “holding his own” unless the players are holding back. Lost in the shuffle is the fact this is a must win for Colorado too. Personally I don’t care how familiar with Schellas “system” Guarda is the fact remains if you aren’t good enough then you aren’t good enough. He isn’t good enough.

we were trying to figure out who the kid was — he was out there working with the guys on tuesday, too.

i guessed he was in the FCD youth system & had sold the most cookies

seriously though, the kid is visibly talented. nice to see the guys playing with him in the drills & juggling on the sidelines.

I don’t mind Guarda that much, I just feel bad for Avila.

Buzz, do you think that Cunningham drying up Cooper’s goals might serve as a wake-up call that perhaps he shouldn’t roam so much? You have to imagine that this same situation will bite him in Europe if he does not fix things.

If anyone knows Cooper, he is going to do what the coach asks of him. Being a fan, it is obvious since Jeff came Coops has been asked to change his game. I think this is obvious to the trained eye, or to anyone who has watched the last two weeks of training. We must remember 3 games to get a rythm or any kind of combination play is very little time. Coops and Jeff will figure this out.

don’t be surprised to see the 12 y/o sub in for rocha sometime during the game…perhaps his next door neighbor also.

Guarda had flashes… but they were brief.. ok so nice assist.. but he spent the majority of the night trying to keep up with the pace of the play. He looked out of his depth to me. His attempts at crosses and corner kicks were downright awful. I have no idea why you would pick Guarda over Avila.. while Avila isn’t exactly brimming with experience, he is much more confident on the ball, show much more vision and can really builds momentum for the attack.

What is going to take for SH to see that and quit the cronyism?

I am ok with Ricchetti at Center back.. he is a good organizer and that’s really what we lose with Davino out.. Both goals we conceeded to Columbus could have been avoided by better marking and organization in defense.

I don’t like the fact that Dax isn’t in your predicted lineup. I felt he had a reasonable game against Columbus, especially considering he’s a right footed player, playing on the left.

I’m not a Saragosa hater.. but between him and Pitch, I can’t see a lot of solid, creative passes coming out of the back line. I swear each time one of those guys is forced to pass more than 4-5 yards, it results in a turnover.

When are you idiots going to understand, all Cooper’s goals come from having a free role. It is the Manchester United way. Tevez, Giggs, Rooney all interchange. The day of the out and out striker is long gone my friend.

I had plenty to say about your report, Buzz, but it all flew out of my head when I heard about Schellas’ grandson. I’m sorry, and I’m sure there will be flames, but I don’t think a team in our position should be indulging the 12 year old grandson of the manager no matter HOW good he is. He’s obviously not going to be a part of the organization, and this just adds to the issues I already have with Mr. Hyndman. Avi has more than earned a place on the squad and certainly has been better than one or two of Schellas’ pets.

I guess all I can do now is hope that Dax gets to keep the place HE deserves.

I am a season ticket holder and I love our team, I will ALWAYS love our team, but I am beyond frustrated and upset with how things have developed this season. Especially lately.

I been having some concerns with SH as well but I know he is still trying to fit his system and still doesnt know have the players for it(on Defense). I really dont like Pablo in the center back at all, would probably had put Rocha at RB and Dax as Rmid and Pablo as Dmid with Saragosa in the bench… Also this Wallace thing at the left I really dont get it, the guy was not even being used as a sub to the games and all of the sudden he is a starter? Would prefer Dax or Shea there…
As far as Bruno and Avilla I believe Guarda is not 100%fit/ready yet and he is trying his best so lets no blame him but maybe SH for kind “forcing” it.. But I strong believe Guarda will make the transition and get lot of experience starting those games and yes I would take Guarda over Avi for next year for sure maybe just not for now…

you do the hoky poky and you turn yourself around, apparently that’s what Hyndmann’s all about. Seriouxly, what’s up with moving players all over the place? Settle down son!

And this thing with his grandson actually makes me kinda mad. You weren’t made coach for your family’s own agenda. You were made coach to get FCD’s act together and start winning us trophies. Leave the kid at home…he doesn’t belong, and our guys don’t need the distraction.

I still don’t know what to think on the Guarda thing. I’m reserving judgment for now.

Below are quotes concerning Dax from the article on the FCD website. My thoughts my reaction was anger at two things: 1) SH wants to “force” Dax into a position that is not his best one (why can’t he play in the middle??) and 2) then he criticizes him for it. Sorry, I don’t mean to dwell on this, but I just thought that once he got back from the Olympics that he’d have a spot because he really seemed to have earned it earlier on . . . but just not in SH’s system, I guess. Oh, and hte memory of FCD trying to take corner kicks while both Rocha and Dax were on the bench doesn’t help . . .C’mon Coach!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For each of the last two games, Dax McCarty has played on the left of midfield, a position unfamiliar to him since Dutch international Victor Sikora is sidelined with a knee injury.

“There are two issues with Dax but I think he’s done average,” Hyndman said. “The first issue is embracing the position. It’s a mental thing and I don’t think he’s done that. I think he’s embraced the fact that he’s in the top 11 and he’ll play anywhere you put him but he’ll always gravitate back to where he wants to play, in the center.

“The other thing is that he doesn’t really have the characteristics that flank players naturally have. Everybody has different qualities, so we’re asking him to play a position that’s not to his best. Characteristics of a flank player are that they take people on one-v-one and serve quality balls,” Hyndman continued. “I think he can do that just not from the left side. Flank players also need to get forward, be part of the strike force and penetrate. I don’t think those areas fit him perfectly but we’re trying to get our better players on the field.”

Buzz… If the actual lineup is gonna continue to look like this, then, yes, please.

And, re: the quotes above posted by hutchtx, are you kidding me, coach? You’re really “trying to get our better players on the field”, yet both Dax and Avila are on the bench? Load of crap. The only players you’re really trying to get on the field seem to be your pets, Ellinger’s pets, or your pre-teen grandchildren. I know that’s exactly what I’m looking for out of a professional coach.

What a joke.

I’m concerned about Cooper’s fall off in goal production. Can this all be because of the introduction of Cunningham? I love to watch Cooper, but there must be something to his game that isn’t quite right. I mean, if all was on the up and up, wouldn’t he be getting calls to the national team by now? Especially since we are in a qualifiying period.

Anyway, I’ll be watching tonight and hope for the best.

Also, I’m with cm and mudpoet, FCDallas doesn’t need the distraction during the regular season. Pre-season, or post-season, that’s different. But we need complete focus now.

FCD Hoops - The youngster actually plays in the Texans system and will be represented by Cooper Sr. when/if he gets selected in one of these trials, I got a pretty good chuckle from your post though. Here is a good article on the kid.

http://www.dallassoccernews.com/article.php?article_id=1279

But I have to agree with everyone else, there is no place for him on the Adidas field with the team. At the least he can stand on the sideline and watch, where Buzz can’t anymore.

Tonight was a real low point of this or any other season.

Sad. Anyone want to buy 5 season tickets. I can’t watch this team self-destruct anymore.

Play the 12 year old. Nothing would surprise me at this point.

Hey, the NCAA’s have started…maybe SH could get FCD listed as a 4 year college or something.

Help?

Buzz, can you do a sit-down with the coach and find out what the hell he is thinking?

I can ask.