Can there be a harder team preview to write than the one for FC Dallas this year? Are they the team that, after being virtually eliminated from Major League Soccer’s post season dance by mid-summer last year, sprinted to a 7-4-1 finish starting with a 6-0 shellacking of Kansas City right when star striker Kenny Cooper was being sold to 1860 Munich in Germany? Could they be the team that played to a 3-10-2 record away from the friendly confines of Pizza Hut Park, allowing 28 goals while notching 22? What about the team that beat Los Angeles 6-3 to start a 5-1 stretch including four straight wins going into the last game. Or are they, as many fans fear, the team that had only 30 minutes left to protect a 1-0 lead in Seattle against a team that had way less to play for, only to give up a pair of late goals and squander a golden chance to get into the playoffs?

These questions and many more will be answered in Round 1 of the 2010 MLS season as FC Dallas opens at home versus in state rival Houston Dynamo in the annual battle for the cannon known as El Capitan on Saturday March 27th.

Coach Schellas Hyndman has had a year and a half to make this team the way he wants it so anything short of a long playoff run will not leave the faithful happy. Oh, a nice US Open Cup trophy to go along with the only real piece of silverware in the building, the 1999 US Open Cup, would be a welcome addition too. As it stands now, Hyndman again looks to use his preferred 4-1-4-1 formation this year. Coach’s big thing is to have at least 2 guys at every position battling and ready to play. For the most part, this seems to have been accomplished except for one gaping hole which we will get to later. Hyndman’s FC Dallas record of 15-18-14 at the helm is well below his 368-98-38 record in 24 years over at SMU but even if the team comes up short again, it appears he is safe through at least all of 2011.

Keepers:

Speaking of that previous spanking of KC, the keeper that night was none other than Dallas’ newest keeper, albeit in a backup role for now, Kevin Hartman. He allowed all 6 goals in that, for him, very forgettable evening and made only 3 saves. Does this bode well if starter and fan favorite Dario Sala goes down for any length of time? FCD has no 3rd keeper for now although young Josh Lambo is out on loan with lower division side Tampa Bay Rowdies to get some much needed experience and can be called back up at any time.

Midfielders:

This part of the team starts with excellent two way Dax McCarty who looks to improve on last years 3 goals and 6 assists as he should be given more offensive freedom this year with midfield enforcer and newly named Captain Daniel Hernandez right behind him. Hernandez will be backed up by the surprising 3rd round draft choice Eric Alexander and to a lesser degree Bruno Guarda. The majority of the offense to come from the midfield will be from David Ferreira who had a very nice second half after a very slow first half of the season. He had 5 goals and 5 assists after starting with only 2 goals and 3 assists in the first 15. Looking to man the left side and try and replace Dave van den Bergh’s production will be Brek Shea . It is a daunting task but if Dallas has anyone currently on the roster who can do it, Shea would be most fans first choice. Attiba Harris will start on the right flank presumably until “Son of the Wind” Marvin Chavez finally gets fully healthy. Eric Avila and Brian Leyva round out the depth in the middle of the park.

Defenders:

On a team that gave up 47 goals, which only one team exceeded last year, the hope is that the core that finished the year will be much better with a little familiarity, better luck and maybe just a lucky bounce or two. It is a little weird to me that Jair Benitez will again start on the left side when FCD has Heath Pearce who possibly will have a spot on the US Men’s National Team in the upcoming World Cup in South Africa but he can’t play that position for his own club team? He is left footed and it is a more natural spot for him but he does just fine on the other side too. The middle will be patrolled by Ugo Ihemelu and George John with Kyle Davies ready to step in at a moments notice. Dallas is looking to keep John healthy all year which should help greatly reduce last years second worst defense. # 1 draft pick Zach Loyd, U-20 defensive mid Anthony Wallace and unlikely trialist who made good Edson Edward provide the depth here and some can also swing up to some of the midfield positions.

Forwards:

Last year it didn’t get much better, especially in the second half of the season, for the improbable run eventual 2009 Golden Boot Winner Jeff Cunningham had. He tallied 17 goals and 8 assists for the year with 16 of those strikes coming in the second half. But after him youth, potential and possible disaster await with Peri Marosevic, Andrew Wiedeman and Jason Yeisley on that is on board for now. So much so that if something did happen to Cunny, then Attiba Harris would probably move up top. Word is now out though that FCD has acquired the services of another striker but they will not get him until July. He is apparently an “international” player and an official announcement is expected next week.

Now for some questions that need to be answered. Who replaces recently released Dave van den Bergh’s team leading 11 assists? In fact, who replaces all the production Dallas lost from last year? You do know they got 50 goals (to lead the league) and 49 assists but did you know they do not have players that scored 16 of them and assisted on 14? Gone are Kenny Cooper 7-1, Drew Moor 3-0, Dave van den Bergh 3-11, Andre Rocha 2-1, Pablo Richetti 1-0 and Marcelo Saragosa 0-1 and a few others who tallied neither a goal nor an assist. Will they better last years 11-13-6 mark and make the playoffs for the first time since 2007? Taking out the two aforementioned 6 goal games are they the team that tallied 38 in the other 28 games of which they won less than one-third of, 9? We will start finding out soon enough boys and girls. Hold on to your FCD scarf, it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride unlike any even Six Flags has seen.

Predictions:

My stab at predicting the eight MLS playoff participants: Columbus, Seattle, Colorado, Real Salt Lake, Los Angeles, Houston, DC United, FC Dallas.

I will go with the Columbus Crew to hoist the MLS Cup after a one year absence and I will go with the Seattle Sounders to claim their second consecutive US Open Cup.

FCD Predictions:

Dallas finishes under .500 but claims the last playoff spot.

David Ferreira will produce less goals and less assists this year than last (also Jeff Cunningham but that is too easy to predict so I won’t).

Brek Shea will be sold overseas in August.

Coach Hyndman will make at least one “major” trade during the season.

FCD unfortunately will have no sellouts, in fact they will only top 15,000 twice.

And a last note, when FCD has a friendly you must go no matter who the opponent is. There is always something new and/or weird happening. It is either multiple red cards, players pushing referees, enough snow to make them break out orange soccer balls or any number or other shenanigans. Enjoy the season and all the reads on American Soccer News.