Good News For FC Dallas
By Curry Goff
Don’t look now, but the MLS season is fewer than two months away. For all you FC Dallas fans out there, it won’t be long until the new season is underway and soccer returns to the metroplex.
This season will already offer up some exciting prospects. The US Men’s National Team will be coming to Frisco in July. Two new teams have been added to the MLS rotation. Also, the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will be gracing the pitches for LA and NYFC, respectively.
While you were away, FC Dallas has been making some news of their own. Oscar Pareja and crew have been looking to strengthen their team after a fourth placed finish in the Western Conference in the 2014 season.
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One piece of incredible news is that Matt Hedges, the defensive bedrock of the FC Dallas backline, has been called into the national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Chile and Panama. It’s about time, Jurgen.
Our expectations have to be curbed a bit, though. With Klinsmann also calling in Matt Besler and Jermaine Jones, the chances of Hedges getting any playing time might be slim. With Klinsmann still experimenting with Jones at center back, I wouldn’t be shocked if Hedges was left out of the starting 11.
Nevertheless, Hedges getting into camp and getting his face in front of Klinsmann and his staff can only do good things for his development. Another strong showing this season for FCD coupled with national team exposure could see Hedges transform into a more regular call up for the national team. What FCD fan doesn’t want to see that?
On the same front, Tesho Akindele spent some time training with the national team ahead of his impending decision to play for either the US or Canada. It would be more than exciting to see two FC Dallas stars playing for the red, white, and blue!
As far as new additions to the squad, the FCD brass hasn’t made any major moves like the aforementioned Gerrard or Lampard (still waiting for Zlatan or Cristiano to make their moves to the states). However, a few important pieces have been added to the team.
In undoubtedly the biggest move of the offseason, FC Dallas acquired Kyle Bekker from Toronto FC. Bekker is a steely defensive midfielder that will fill the vacancy left by the departures of Adam Moffat and Hendry Thomas.
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In Bekker, FC Dallas acquires a player that will slot seamlessly into the first team. I see Pareja placing him in next to either Michel or Ulloa in the heart of the midfield. If he is deployed in the starting 11, the team will take a completely different shape that what Pareja has done in the past.
In 2014, Michel was often put out there as a quasi-defensive midfielder. While Michel has the build of a DM, he plays more like a defensive attacking midfielder (not an actual position, I know). He doesn’t break up opponents’ counter attacks like an Ozzie Alonso does for the Sounders. Instead, Michel plays the provider role, more like a Kyle Beckerman.
Bekker will be a steely presence in the midfield that can give a bit more stability to FCD in possession. They will have more time and ability to create meaningful possession with a solid defensive mid behind their front four.
With new additions and promising talent returning for the 2015 season, March 7th can’t come fast enough for this FC Dallas fan!