February 8th, 2009 . 9:12 am . By: Andrew Temple

3-0. Very gut wrenching score for the losing side, no doubt. And since FCD was that losing side, Schellas Hyndman will seriously look for a better way of things on the pitch on Monday against a Dynamo team responsible for that very gut wrenching score line: 3-0.

Remember, though that it was a preseason match, and as such should have been great fun to watch for fans waiting to see their beloved clubs, yet not very sufficient evidence of how each team will end up for 2009. Neither will this match, however it does give Schellas a new face to look at in his line-up in All-Star FW Kenny Cooper, who has returned to the club from USMNT camp and participated in training on Saturday.  Also returning to the club on Saturday was MF Andre Rocha, although he did not participate in training sessions and will be unavailable for Monday’s match.

For Dallas/Houston – Round Two, Hyndman could very well test out his reserves, using his heavy dose of bench players and remaining trialists during the first two 30-minute periods of this unique-style scrimmage. Schellas considers the 3-0 match an “eye-opener” and Houston is playing “at 80-85% right now and we’re maybe at 50-55%.” Yet the absence of a few key starters in certain positions, such as Rocha and Adrian Serioux, certainly did contribute to the lopsided score as well.  Their continued absence through this next match won’t make things any easier.

Look for a chance of newcomers Bucknor and Marosevic up front, with the possibility of Cooper coming off of the bench.  Also, look for Hyndman to experiment more with MF Dax McCarty, who Schellas claims “was one of the players that wasn’t overwhelmed by the pressure (Houston was) putting on us” on Friday.  Most importantly, look for the coach to be more balanced and consistent with his substitutions and pitch tactics. 

Hyndman mentioned that the players overemphasized on defense and suffered from confusion on assignments and responsibility in Friday’s match, which he is looking to nullify through technique training and further evaluation of his attack.  Most of the coach’s subs might involve the attacking 1/3 for this very reason. The backline could end up being a set unit for most of this one, with perhaps a Pitchkolan/Purdy combination in the center.

The Dynamo did, however play a good portion of their available starters for most of the match and might wish to follow the Red Stripes’ example for this match and opt mostly for reserves.  Dominic Kinnear could look to give his key starters who participated in Friday’s game a rest, yet give his bench every opportunity to once again dominate the flanks and set-piece opportunities.  The Dynamo manager is focused on finding a suitable line-up and tactic for his club’s upcoming CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal first leg with Atlante FC on 2/24, so most moves he will make will most likely be of decision-making purposes and not to give his players equal opportunities on playing time.  Not a simple strategy for the two-time champion manager, who is still without Ching and Clark to MNT duty and missing the likes of Stuart Holden and Corey Ashe to injury.  Yet it does allow DF Julius James extra chances to see more playing time after a decent 90-minute showing in Houston. Eddie Robinson might make his return to the Dynamo for this one after missing last Friday’s match for a Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony in his hometown.

Though Houston has the added incentive of a potential date with Champions League glory on their minds, Schellas will do his best to make sure that FC Dallas produces a “better performance” on the pitch than they did on Friday.  Hyndman went on to say, “Even if the result is the same, we still want to have a better performance. I thought it showed that we haven’t done anything in our attack because we have spent so much time on our defense.”

Relax, FC Dallas faithful. The preseason has only begun.

Categories: Match Preview.

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