July 16th, 2009 . 3:18 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant?? I’m halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God….I could be eating a slow learner.- Lynda Montgomery

I have to say there wasn’t a ton of entertainment in this game, except maybe for the scrum that resulted from McCarty trading head buts with Freddy Thompson.  FCD played almost a First XI in the front rank. I’m ok with that as the team now has a week and a half off to come back fresh.  Defensively we saw a few guys get on the field that sorely need some PT.

I thought it was a great opportunity for us to play a game where we could get some players on the field that haven’t been on the field for a while. – Coach Schellas Hyndman

Didn’t I just say that coach?

Comunicaciones 0, FC Dallas 2

Line up and Formation

FCD rolled out a flat four.  I love it.

I’m a flat four guy, this is by far my favorite formation (although I still maintain a 3-5-2 with the proper personnel might be the best shape for the Texas heat.)  The flat four for me provides the most balance in shape, allows for a stiff defense across the field, and can keep the opposition off balance if the midfielders are savvy enough in their runs.

Here’s what FCD rolled out.

FC Dallas

Today we went with a flat 4-4-2 to see how Bruno [Guarda] and Dax [McCarty] could handle the midfield and asked David [Ferreira] to be a second striker. – Coach Hyndman

I believe this test wasn’t so much about Guarda as it is the rest of the team.  You notice the front six is the starting six?  To me this says, “If I get a legit top tier player to put in with McCarty can we play this way.”  The window, after all, opens today.  (Sanchez in this shape would compete at right mid or second striker).

Even without a signing, a John/Davies center back combo might allow Ricchetti to play in midfield again… frankly not a good idea in my mind give the goal leakage in the first quarter of the season.  So don’t be shocked if a central mid pops up as a signing in the window, despite what SH said about Szetela and having to many central mids.

El Bueno (The Good)

FCD used this game to scout someone from Comunicaciones.  It turns out said player was Dwight Pezzarossi.  He was ok, but didn’t make me go ga-ga.  Obvisouly i’d like to see more than 45 minutes to really know much about him.

The one player we had identified we wanted to look at was Dwight Pezzarossi, the striker #27.  Because he’s big strong, I think he has something like 56 caps for Guatamala.  So we watched him.  He’s strong in the air, everything we expected to see. – Coach Hyndman.

The player I really liked was #9 Abner Trigueros.  He played right mid in the first half and left mid in the second.  He also torched everyone he faced, got up and down the line, and constantly created dangers with ball skill and pace.  I’d take him now off this one game.

Honorable mention to #17 Transito Montepeque, who in the first half  looked like he was an active and mobile high striker with energy and pace.

I was really pleased to see Dario Sala get 90 minutes, Hyndman had talked about only giving him 70 in advance of the game.  Sala made a couple really nice saves in the first half.  He’s got to be close to 100%.

While perhaps not quite as important as Sala, it was still great to see to see Torres and Purdy get a long run.  Not sure why Purdy came off at 74, he could have used 90 minutes.  Torres was solid today, but the pace worries me.  Hydman took Davies off at the half so he could see Torres play centrally.  Torres goal was a gift but still getting it in the net is something others have failed to do.

It’s always good to be back on the field.  Honestly, I haven’t scored a goal in a long time and it feels great. It gives me confidence for what is coming. I think I needed that to work on my game fitness. I know it’s going to take a while and demand a lot of work, but I’m going to get there. I hope to be available to play for the Real Salt Lake game and from then on, try and stay fit for the rest of the season.  – Daniel Torres

Anthony Wallace was better at left mid today.  He was aggressive and got forward into danger spots.  Kinda interesting actually.  I’d like to see more of that attitude as a left back.  He and Wagner are a coin toss at left back right now and neither has made Hydnam forget about looking for a left back.

FCD’s second goal was really nice.  A long break from Shea who laid it off to Ferreira.  David with the great field awareness to sense the overlapping Avila who was wide open for the easy back post finish.  If he had blown that one…

It was good that Brek took it down the line.  I was a bit far back and had to make the run. As soon as he took off, I knew I had to do that. I made my run and it paid off. David (Ferreira) saw me and he played me through. As soon as I got it, I touched it, saw the ‘keeper come out and placed it. – Eric Avila

El Camino Central (Middle of the Road)

Guarda wasn’t bad in midfield, he played good defense and clogged up play, but he was virtually non-existent going forward.  In a flat four both central mids have to get forward.  Even if one is more defensive he still needs to make the occasional run forward.

The team is being given four days off coach Hyndman told the to not take a ball and instead to relax and recharge.  Time off for the team to recharge, that’s a good thing.  Hyndman is going to Colorado I hear and he confirmed he’s taking four days away from the game.  Interesting timing, leaving the week the transfer window opens.

I am going to take some time off.  I’m gonna get away for four days.  We’ve done a really good job scouting the gold cup.  We’ve also identified players we would like to bring in here.  And we hope that that will happen. – Coach Hyndman.

Why is it that almost every FCD international friendly has a scrum and a red card of two?  Is it a chip on the FCD shoulder, the opposition, or both?  Maybe it’s the freedom to draw a red card knowing it won’t cost you a real game result or suspension?

No Tan Bueno (Not So Good)

This is a game made for someone like Peri Marosevic to get at least half a game if not the full 90.  The timing of his injury isn’t good in that sense.  The entire thing was really made for guys like him.

Frankly in the first half much of the Comunicaciones midfield didn’t look to interested in playing, apart from Trigueros that is.  It made for a kinda boring, lackluster affair for the first 45.

Sometime soon Brek Shea needs to score.  Just saying.

I hate the fact there were only about 600 people in the stands for this game.  I’m not sure what can be done about thee scrimmages to get more in the stands.  Frankly it’s low priority compared to league games.  Or even US Open Cup games really.

According to Hyndman there will be 3 or 4 trialists coming out in the next few weeks.  But given the window opened on the say of this game, wouldn’t it have been better to have them come in before the window opens?  That way you can see if you want any of them and incorporate it into your plans for allocations, trades, etc?  A couple weeks for trial, a week or two to decide, negotiate and sign, then a month for the visa… are any of these guys going to be here playing before September?

Categories: 120 Fahrenheit.

8 Comments

Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI

Leave a comment