January 17th, 2009 . 12:53 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Starting this weekend, FCD players will begin to report to Dallas for their spring training.  Coach Schellas Hyndman will begin the process of transforming this team into one he wants.  At the end of the last season 3rd Degree laid out the off season plan as we interpreted it from talking to the gaffer.  With the draft having just gone by and players reporting for training, now seems a good time to check in on the progress.

Hyndman says he has over 50 elements he wants to drill and work on during the spring as he gets his team ready.  These include things like fitness and tactics.  But also smaller items like one on one defender, set plays, defending throw ins, and team counter on a fast keeper distribution, just to name a few.  Six weeks of Spring Training should be plenty of time to get them all done. 

There were several keys to the team building we discussed.  First and foremost was the structure.  Hyndman is going to run a diamond 4-4-2.  Everyone has to fit into that system.  In addition he’s looking for a very specific kind of player.  Sure, talent and ability to play soccer are important; but so are work rate, heart, and professionalism.  I.e. Hyndman’s proverbial “players I can count on.”  That trust and belief in a player, that they will play how he wants and do what he wants is key for him.  Beyond that Hyndman wanted some more experience and wanted more players in the prime of their career.

One thing we didn’t mention at the time, that Hyndman has only recently mentioned, is that he’s trying to build a team with one starter and one backup at each position in his system. That’s not an unreasonable thing, and it has happened in Dallas before.

Where Were We?

So when the winter started where was the team? Hyndman clearly stated he needed a left mid, a center back, and a #10.  Let’s take a look.  Since Hyndman wants two set of players we’ll look at both.

First Team

Second Team

Progress Report

So how’s Hyndman doing with this rebuild?

Left Mid: Done

Hyndman let Victora Sikora go, partially because of the injury limiting how much he could do and show.  But also because he already knew Dave ven den Bergh wanted to come to Dallas.  The trick was going to be getting DvdB out of New York at a price FCD could handle.  That’s been done.  Oduro had slipped a bit on the depth chart here and the swap of picks was one easy for FCD to handle since they have enough players already.

Center Back: Done.  (With More to Come?)

Just this past week Hyndman grabbed what looks like it might be the center back answer: Steve Purdy.  Purdy was one of the top rated defenders coming out of college a couple years ago.  Theoretically he should be improved since he’s been playing in a top notch professional environment the last few years.  He’s been captain of the 1860 reserve team and made it into their first team bench but didn’t play in any senior games.  1860 did want to re-sign him, but Purdy has chosen to return to MLS.  Purdy is big, strong, and fast; with he some grit and bite.  He’s the kind of player Hyndman said he wanted.

Will he walk in and start?  Good question.  If he is what I expect, then he should be starting fairly soon, although perhaps not day one.  Nothing is guaranteed, and it looks like Hyndman may be hedging his bets.  Hitchcock talked this week about a the possible signing of a foreign center back who has been playing in Europe.  My guess is that Daniel Torres is that player.

Torres played for Ellinger at Real Salt Lake (06-07), played for Columbus (01-03) prior to that, and came in for a trial at the end of last season where he played in the Wrap Up Scrimmage.  Torres has been playing for Bryne FK in Norway’s second division.  He’s experienced, there’s a familiarity with the FCD staff, and he shouldn’t be too expensive if he wants to come back to MLS.  He’s not a superstar, but he is reliable and not too expensive. 

Number 10: Still Searching

This is the remaining piece of the puzzle that’s missing.  It’s also the lynch pin of the whole thing.  If FCD goes into the year with Guarda pulling the strings, there will still be some improvement with the other changes but there won’t be that step up as a top tier team.  No offense to Guarda, some day I think he will be very good.  But he’s not the answer to making this team a title contender.

The #10 has to be priority #1 from now till opening day.  We do know that FCD has some names they are talking to and/or looking at.  Htich says two South Americans top the list.  I also know there are some international players coming in for a look this spring.  So at this point we’ll just have to be patient and wait.

What Else Was in the Plan?

There were a couple things that I suggested needed to happen, and some tools Hyndman could use.

Solve the Davino Problem: Done

Full credit to Hitchcock and Hyndman for solving this one.  Davino wasn’t going to start this year and $400,000 is a lot of money for a bench player.  The mutually agreed buyout solves that problem with a lesser cap hit than if they had just cut the man.

Solve the Rocha enigma: Not So Much

We talked about how Andre Rocha, as good as he is, isn’t an ideal player for the right side.  He’s not the classic winger Hyndman likes.  We even saw Hyndman try him as a second striker, that’s something you might see some of this year. 

In the end Rocha is too talent to keep off the field.  He should take a step forward in year two now that he has a better handle on the league.  So for now he remains the starter on the right.

Trade Some Assets for Something Hyndman Needs: Partial Progress

Odruo was obviously falling down the depth chart.  But he remained of interest to several other parties.  Dom’s been moved in order to bring van den Bergh here.  As much as Dom is a fan favorite, that’s a good exchange in terms of team building with value assets.

One asset they have not figured out what to do with is Dax McCarty.  McCarty has asked to be traded, but FCD has yet to find the value they seek.  At this point McCarty is still on the roster.  He doesn’t want to be here, and he’s an asset FCD is not using.  That’s not good for either party.

Build the Second Unit with Player Hyndman Can Trust: Done

As we talked about in the FCD SuperDraft Analysis, Hyndman has added some depth in his own style.  Marosevic, John, and Shriver all fit the Hyndman method. 

Don’t be shocked if you see one of two SMU players show up for a trial in the spring.  Perhaps a Jeff Harwell, a Ryan Mirsky, or a Santius brother.

Move on Unused Assets: One of Three

Oduro, as we suggested, was used to make a move, the acquisition of a left mid.  That leaves two assets with value greater than how they are being used.  Dax McCarty, who asked for a trade and doesn’t fit the system, and Anthony Wallace, who is captain of the U20s and has been unable to mount a challenge at left back, left midfield, or holding midfield.

Do one or both of them need to be moved?  No, of course not.  FCD can keep both.  But in terms of being analytical in asset usage, both are being under utilized.

What’s Left?

A Dash of Pace

This wasn’t in the plan last winter because at the time it wasn’t a need.  But with the trade of Dominic Oduro to New York, the Red Stripes are a little short on pace up top.  Cunningham has speed, but he’s not a kid anymore.  Cooper, Watson, and Marosevic, while not slow per say, are not burners.  Roster space aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing a player come in with a little punch.  Particularly one who can come off the bench and create some havoc.

What to do with Brek Shea?

You will recall Hyndman saying Shea had a great future as a center back.  The goal the last few months of the year, prior to his injury, was to get the young Texans up to speed in the back.  But now Hyndman has drafted a center back, signed a center back, and may be about to sign another one.

So what’s going to happen with Shea?  Return to flank midfield of fullback?  Become a forward again?  Move to the holding mid spot? 

Good question.

Overall Report: Almost There

The story so far…

Center Back: Done.
Left Mid: Done.
Depth: Done
Clear Davino: Done
Move Underused Assets: Done

First Team

Second Team

Which leaves FCD with one major and three minor concerns at this stage.

1. Major: The #10

2. Minor: Some Pace

3. Minor: Another Center Back

4. Minor: Brek Shea

Overall that’s not bad work by Hyndman and Hitch.  Now that they’ve almost got it executed, we just have to wait and see if the coaches plan was in fact a good one.

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