July 9th, 2009 . 12:06 am . By: Buzz Carrick

No Lars. It just so happens we be Texicans. Texican is nothing but a human man way out on a limb. This year and next, and maybe for a hundred more. But I don’t think it’ll be forever. Some day this country’s gonna be a fine, good place to be. Maybe it needs our bones in the ground before that time can come. - Mrs. Jorgensen

I must admit this was a fun event, way out in the west Texas desert.  Ok, not that far out, only a five hour drive.  Midland has this great little facility, Grande Communications Stadium.  It would be a perfect USL-1 or USL-2 stadium for soccer, except that it’s field turf painted with football lines.  It’s primary use is for Midland High and Midland Lee football.  This is west Texas after all.

FCD

FCD didn’t stay in this lineup long, by maybe the 20 minute mark they moved Dello to holding mid, Guarda up next to Rocha and Avila wide in midfield.

West Texas United Sockers

I didn’t bother to track all the WTUS subs.  #24 Everson is their most dangerous player.  He does have a few nice long range chances.  The Sockers best player is #20 Sergio Salas who is actually kind of interesting.  I wouldn’t mind seeing him again.

Goals

57 ‘ 1-0 FCD  – Dax McCarty makes a 30 yard run forward and plays a give and go with Brek Shea.  Dax does a spin move to avoid a tackle and lays the ball off to Wallace in the 6 yard box.  Wally finished between the keepers legs.

87′ 2-0 FCD – Eric Avila down the right wing and crosses into the six.  Rocha back peddles and then heads a lob over the keeper for a simple goal.

El Bueno (The Good)

- Against a PDL team, everyone should be good.  And for the most part they were.  Dax McCarty was exceptional, playing well above this game.  I don’t want to pick him for Man of the Match though, even though he was really, cause he only played 45 minutes.  By the way, it’s kinda a moot point after the Gold Cup rosters were expanded, but prior to the tournament Dax was named as a possible injury call up for the tournament.

- So instead for Man of the Match I’ll go with Brek Shea.  Beside from the fact he didn’t score, Shea was terrific.  He used his pace to pull the WTUS defense apart, stretched them over the top, checked back and help FCD build out, and generally created havoc.

- Not surprisingly, Rocha, Avila, and Guarda were all solid but that’s as should be expected.

- Really nice to see George John get 90 minutes, he was also good.

- Dello-Russo was actually looking interesting at holding mid. I don’t know about MLS starter interesting, but certainly it’s worth getting another look at him in that spot.  Possession for FCD got better when he moved into the middle.  Dello took a nasty elbow to the head and went to the hospital after the game.  No word yet on his status.

- Dairy Queen blizzards taste better out here in the middle of no where.  Just saying.

El Camino Central (Middle of the Road)

- It was good to see both Purdy and Torres get 45 in.  But clearly they are both severally lacking in fitness and are no where near game sharp.  That’s ok though, just getting on the field is the point.

- Anthony Wallace wasn’t terrible at wide mid in the second half (he and Wagner played 45 each and left mid/left back).  Wally certainly looks to penetrate and get forward… but that’s not my point here.  I really would have liked to see him get a run at holding mid instead of Dax in the second half.  I know Dax is good, Wallace I wanted to see in there.  What exactly does playing that 45 get Dax?  Let’s see what Wallace can bring inside.

No Tan Bueno (Not So Good)

- I was shocked the last 10 minutes to see Blake Wagner with both his hands on his head or alternately bending over with hands on knees.  How the kid is not 90 minutes fit I can’t fathom.  What has he been doing in training?  How can he expect to get back in the lien up if he can’t go 90 full out in a reserve game?  Has he just given up completely?

Categories: 120 Fahrenheit.

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