Let’s put it out on the table: injuries have ravaged FC Dallas in 2012. Two suspensions played their part in the home loss to Seattle midweek. Regardless of the personnel on the pitch, Dallas has managed to play good soccer at moments, but has lacked a cutting edge in front of the net over three matches. The loss to Seattle was a managerial duel lost by Hyndman, as FCD dictated and dominated play for the first 45 minutes, only to drop two goals to a fresh Freddy Montero quickly in the second half. But the wheels are off the wagon, so to speak, and FCD are in desperate need of points as they enter today’s away match at Columbus.
Given Dallas’ injury-riddled roster over past matches and the continued absence of David Ferreira, most would say points gained by FCD have been expected. That’s the half-full argument. If pessimism is to have any say in this argument it will manifest itself in the form of points lost. Seattle doesn’t belong in this conversation; Schmid ended on top of the managerial duel. But, Portland, Kansas City, Salt Lake, and Los Angeles all certainly do, amounting to nine points lost from winning positions. Six of those nine points have been lost to Western Conference opponents, and four of those points have been dropped at home.
Points dropped from winning positions away amount to five (SKC, LA) prior to today’s match against Columbus. Dallas’ away form has been atrocious at best this season, giving the team a 0-3-1 record on the road with 8 goals allowed, and only 2 scored. Clean sheets have been held against FCD in three of its five away matches, to make matters all the more dire.
The Crew and FC Dallas aren’t so different, though. Both teams are in the midst of injury crises. Both teams are on five game winless skids. Both teams need three points in a bad way. Columbus has been firmly rooted at the Eastern Conference basement since the beginning of April; Dallas is slowly on its way there in the West. Key starters Chad Marshall and Brek Shea will be out for their respective sides, making both teams dive deeper into their benches.
Does Dallas need to do much differently in this match to conjure a win away at Columbus? If the team can replicate their first half form against Seattle, where FCD dominate possession and attacking chances, the answer is simply a resounding “No.” Blas Perez and Fabian Castillo will head the attack tonight in a projected 4-4-2 formation, which the team ran with efficiency for 45 minutes against Seattle midweek.
The other return from a midweek suspension will be Daniel Hernandez. His leadership and intensity are unmatched by anyone in Dallas, but he does face competition in the form of James Marcelin, who acquitted himself nicely against Seattle on Wednesday. Marcelin’s role is to sit in front of the back line, disrupt attacks throughout the middle of the park, and distribute the ball quickly after winning it. That’s all, and he did these things well on Wednesday. Hernandez has been a shadow of himself in 2012; you can chalk that up to age and the specter of last year’s knee injury. It is his last year on the pitch with the club, and one has to wonder at what point Hyndman will begin phasing in younger prospects at defensive center midfielder. Warshaw’s recent surgery slowed this process without a doubt, but as the season goes on it will remain an issue. Until then, the Dallas faithful can expect Hernandez to be the man projecting strength and command in the midfield in 2012.
Columbus’ midfield did dominate possession against Portland last week. Despite great possession in the midfield, they still lack a cutting edge, much like Dallas, in front of the net, where they only created eight opportunities in 90 minutes. The one dimension of Columbus’ game where they do have an attacking edge is on set pieces and corners, and threatened continually last Saturday. FCD will need to defend well on set pieces, as they have all season, to minimize Columbus’ potency in attack.
Otherwise, goals for the Crew have been few and far between, managing only three goals from open play (out of six) in the 2012 campaign. If any one definitive piece of evidence can be expressed about the Crew, it is this: they have yet to win a match in 2012 if losing by halftime. A quick jump by Dallas in the first 45 minutes may prove to be a definitive blow to Columbus’ hopes. On the other hand, if the Crew can manage to hang on to a draw, or perhaps nick a goal before the half, this game will swing in their favor, as Dallas’ second half form has been suspect all campaign long.
Given the difficulties of both teams to find the back of the net most may see a goalless draw looming on the horizon. However, the dire straits that both teams find themselves rooted in will guarantee a good start to this match. Dallas and the Crew are able to come out with intensity. If FCD are able to find goals amidst the early sparring this game may be decided early on. A rare road victory will certainly stem the panic that has implanted itself in Frisco, and allow Hyndman and his men to roll confidently into two very winnable games against Chicago and Philadelphia.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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