FC Dallas started the offseason looking to rebuild 2008’s non-playoff team on just about every level. Head coach Schellas Hyndman has made real progress in accomplishing this step, while making this his team. He stated six goals at the start of the preseason: he wanted better individual defenders with pressure on the ball, better individual attacking players, to develop an attractive style of play, to work on a complete team structure, improve set pieces on both sides of the ball and improve individual fitness.

The team has played as many preseason games as possible to get players good opportunities. With Major League Soccer team rosters being cut from 28 to 24 players each, Hyndman wanted the games to help him evaluate players.

Starting between the posts, the team appears set for now, the future and long-term. Fifth year veteran Dario Sala will start the season at keeper and it appears third year vet Ray Burse will be entrenched behind him. Eighteen year old Josh Lambo is expected to be loaned out to a USL First Division team once the season starts so he can get game experience that he will not be able to get in Dallas this year. The Portland Timbers, where Burse played some last year and new USL-1 entry the Austin Aztex have been rumored as possible destinations for the US under-20 international. The fourth goalkeeper option for the north Texas team is MLS emergency pool ‘keeper Bryant Rueckner who is being hosted by the club through the 2009 season. Hyndman has said that having three goalkeeper felt it was the ideal number to ensure that each player receives an adequate amount of work in training.

The backline features center back Drew Moor who is moving inside from his recent right back role. Joining him in the middle should be newly signed Steve Purdy who has some experience playing in Germany. Also in the mix will be another new signee, Costa Rican national team member Daniel Torres. The depth in the middle will be provided by Aaron Pitchkolan and a first round draft pick, George John. The left back spot appears to be manned again by Blake Wagner with under-20 national team captain Anthony Wallace behind him, but it’s the aforementioned Torres who has been minutes there this preseason. The right back position that Moor occupied appears to be Marcelo Saragosa’s after Adrian Serioux’ recent trade to Toronto FC. Saragosa’s recent injury could cause him to miss up to five games, likely giving Michael Dello-Russo the spot for the time being. As a whole, this group does appear to have accomplished FCD president/general manager Michael Hitchcock’s quest to get more size, strength and speed along the backline.

The team’s two biggest needs were definitely addressed this offseason: the left side of the midfield and a true central attacking midfielder. This was done through the acquisition of just one player:-New York Red Bulls winger Dave van den Bergh. The van den Bergh trade could turn into the best acquisition, as the service to be provided to the forwards should rise accordingly. The defensive midfield position is nailed down by newly named captain Pablo Ricchetti, who is an expert at the position. The right side of the midfield is expected to be manned by Brazilian Andre Rocha but his late arrival to camp due to camp start date miscommunication and visa issues have 2008 US Olympic team member Dax McCarty making the position his for an opening day start possibly. The once very cloudy issue of the all important No. 10 spot seems to have been filled by the most recent acquisition, Colombian David Ferreira from FCD partner club, Brazilian side Clube Atletico Paranaense. This midfield position will probably by backed up by Eric Avila and Bruno Guarda, who manned the No. 10 spot with mixed results last year. Midfield depth will be provided by under-20 national team starter Brek Shea.

The forwards will be US Men’s National Team member, MLS All-Star and one of last year’s MLS Best XI, Kenny Cooper as well as 4th all-time leading goal scorer in MLS history with 104, Jeff Cunningham. If Cooper stays the whole year, and that is a big IF, look for him to challenge for the MLS Golden Boot award again this year. The forward depth came in the draft when the team selected under-20 national team regular Peri Marosevic and Brian Shriver although Shriver is still in school at North Carolina and his status will be further evaluated. Jamie Watson hopes to be in the mix as well.

So having said all this, what are the ASN predictions for the upcoming year?
Fasten your seatbelts, here they come:

• Kenny Cooper will be sold in August to either Rosenborg or a high level Championship side in England.
• With the smaller roster size, FC Dallas will be greatly affected by the time lost to internationals for U-20 players Shea, Wallace, Lambo and Marosevic.
• This year’s talented but for whatever reason just doesn’t work out player (Ramon Nunez and Arturo Alvarez previously) whom the fans turn on will be Andre Rocha.
• The penchant for giving up late goals and quick equalizers (and both) will continue to haunt this team.
• Last season’s five home wins (worst in the league) will be bettered but unfortunately not by much. The eight wins overall (tied for last in the league) will also only be bettered by a couple. I see 10 wins and seven draws, just missing that last playoff spot once again.

FCD has one last preseason game Saturday March 14 before starting the season with a pair of home tilts. March 21 the First Kick for the north Texas area features their Brimstone Cup rival the Chicago Fire and the following week on Sunday March 29th they take on Chivas USA. A minimum of 4 points for the Hoops is needed here or it could be a long hot summer in Frisco.