The front office in Frisco’s search for a striker in the transfer window has ultimately landed a defensive central midfielder. It’s a bit of a tangent from the original plot, but it’s one trade that seems to make reasonable sense.
Let us make the case for this trade. Dallas lacks a pivot man that sits behind the forwards, attacking center mid, and flanks, win balls and distribute. Bobby Warshaw, the up-and-coming replacement for the soon-to-retire Daniel Hernandez. The club’s former captain, Hernandez, is tender on the knees and has been sluggish in play recently. James Marcelin, who Dallas acquired a couple of months back, was a quick and free acquisition to the club that many believe has been a complete waste of time.
Devil’s Advocate
Leaping to the defense of Marcelin, there are a couple of points to be made. For one, he averages just as many, if not more tackles in the center of midfield than Jacobson and Hernandez in the recent three matches he has started. Secondly, his passing accuracy is generally in the mid 70’s, even as high as 82% in the TFC match, and is not necessarily his Achilles’ heel.
It is, however, his decision-making and dribbling in the middle of the park that gets him in trouble. His attempted ten-yard forays into the opposing defense are usually met with little success. Even in the past two matches his positioning has improved, he and Jacobson sitting deep and just in front of the back line, as they should be. All in all, he’s not seen significant minutes until recently and does an average, if not slightly-above average job. He simply needs to simplify his play and be a bit more conservative in action.
Yet Marcelin’s perceived ineffectiveness prompted the move for De Guzman. Dallas takes little-to-no hit on the salary cap (TFC will fund the Canadian international), and gets an experienced defensive center mid who has played in the Bundesliga, La Liga, and been voted the CONCACAF Gold Cup player of the tournament in 2007. His CV reads much better than many of that on the FCD squad.
JDG’s Place in Frisco
De Guzman’s woes have been recent, as he fell out of favor this season in Toronto. 2011 was no easier for him as he had preseason knee surgery and an extensive recovery to follow. Regardless, not having to match his Designated Player salary is a huge win for a frugal FCD front office. Will he be a quick fix? Time will tell. But his acquisition certainly addresses the fact that goals are few in Dallas, and moving the ball forward from the back has to be done efficiently. At least it has to be done more efficiently than the past thirteen matches. De Guzman will hopefully be the assured link between the back line, Ferreira, Shea, Castillo, and Jackson.
To Colorado
That being said, it is unlikely that he will feature against the Rapids tonight. Colorado has pulled three points out of their last five games: exactly the same amount as Dallas. They are also on a two game skid. FCD finds itself in slightly improved spirits having drawn the past three matches in five. Whatever could’ve been taken out of the past meeting between these two can be easily discarded with the injury of Cummings and sending offs on the behalf of Dallas.
The Rapids need to end a dismal run of form. Dallas simply needs to prove that they can win, especially with Ferreira, Shea, Castillo, and Villar all expected to be on the pitch. However, the Rapids will be formidable, as they are 5-3-1 at home, and FCD remains winless in eight road matches. They also have a healthy Connor Casey and Omar Cummings to boot, and an additional face in Jaime Castrillon. The Colombian has come on in quietly in 2012 to be the best provider in Colorado’s midfield.
Regardless of records, the most important factor in this match will be the first goal, as both sides are dismal after conceding. Dallas has difficulty scoring, and will probably continue to do so until the return of Blas Perez. Brek Shea has done decent work playing as a lone striker, but it is not his natural position, and it does show. Expect much of the lineup from the San Jose match unchanged for Dallas, with Ferreira starting just behind Shea and flanked by Jackson and Castillo. Hopefully it will be prove to be as such, as FCD need to prove that they can score away from home and more than two goals in a match. Even three would be a first for the 2012 campaign.
(image courtesy of fcdallas.com)
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