http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7604154/mls-2012-preview-fc-dallas-brent-latham Excerpt: Who has some tar and feathers handy?
Eh. It's a yearly ritual. Nobody really has a clue. I mean, four years ago, you'd probably have a pretty easy time finding previews stating that the Crew were going to continue to be crap and that DC United were going to continue cut through the East like a hot knife through butter. Writers get fixated on players, especially if they're stars or if they have an interesting resume. Writers also have their favorites among teams and coaches and their own pet theories. But... nobody really knows.
As far as the regular season goes, yeah you have to think Dallas is a rung below teams like LA and Seattle. However, once the playoffs roll around, all that goes out the window and it's about being hot at that point in the season. So whether Dallas wins the SS or not, they just need to have their guys clicking late in the year. The attacking talent on the squad, I would say they have the quality to match even an LA in a 2 game series. Not to mention LA is going to be stretched pretty thin chasing CL glory, where as Dallas won't be. Let's be honest with ourselves here though, this season likely hinges on 2 guys producing: Blas and David.
I think everyone acknowledges that LA - on paper - looks a the head of the pack. But I don't think you can say that Seattle or any other team is clearly ahead of Dallas - and this yahoo's statement that FCD hasn't added anything is just . . . embarrassing for him. Anyone can see that Perez is better than anyone who has claimed to be a "forward" in Dallas since Cunningham left, and even he had his challenges. So a step back with the loss of Chavez, but I'm pretty sure it is more than just a step forward to add Perez. And the return of Ferreira is kind of important.[sarcasm] I can see a bit of a question at the back, but all indicators point to Pertuz being able to step into George John's shoes and Hedges has a little something-something. Seattle has been through as many changes - if not more - than Dallas. Lose Kasey Keller? Kinda big. Add Eddie Johnson? Massive gamble. RSL is what it is - hard to beat, good on set pieces and with players who can score a goal that they can make stick for a 1-0 win. But we've beaten them in the regular season and in the playoffs. Colorado will certainly be a huge challenge at some point - question is when? I'm not sure they will be able to transition to the way Pareja will want them to play in one season, but it certainly isn't impossible. As for the East, I expect Kansas City and Houston to remain tough to beat, but a step behind the tops in the West. Barring some massive moves by the Union, that team seems to have fallen behind. New York, Columbus, DC, Toronto and Chicago are all question marks who have the potential to be dangerous. (Why DC let Sims go I'll never know - he sure gave DeRosario the kind of freedom he hadn't had since Houston and Ricardo Clarke.) It will be interesting to see how their new forward works out. After that, the rest of the teams are in the weeds - who knows who of that group will do something. All have some talent, but all have some sort of serious question. Portland, Chivas, Vancouver, New England, Montreal, San Jose? But back to the original point, it is LA, then Dallas, Seattle and RSL. Those are your top four.
eh didnt seem too bad. we lost a few people that general mls people had heard of...chavez, jackson, santos, galindo, john (maybe). we added a few latin american players that are unproven in mls and general mls people prob havent heard of....pertuz, c-rod, perez. plus we have an mvp returning from a major injury so valid question marks there.
Can't tell me this lineup isn't one of the best in MLS -------------Hartman---------- Loyd---Ugo----John----Benitez -----------Hernandez--------- Castillo------Jacobson---Shea ----------Ferreira----------- -------------Perez----------- If that is a healthy lineup heading into the last month of the season, Dallas is a contender. The health is the big question because depth is a problem. He says in the article "Will the madeover defense gel quickly?" There's nothing really made over except for if John doesn't stick around and PErtuz comes in, but one guy is a makeoveR?
Yes, for some reason the analysts are almost universally underrating the FCD roster. We're not deep, but we've made more advances to our starting XI than Portland or Seattle. I don't think we'll finish in the top 3, though, so the best we can hope for is to face the top seed in the conference semis.
I think that lineup is the second best in MLS behind LAG. I love the additions of Pertuz and Rodriguez in the depth department. What no one is talking about is LA's lack of depth. If Donovan, Keane or Juninho gets injured, they're in trouble.
I undoubtedly agree...............but you've got quite a number of question marks there. Ferreira's health being the biggest one. Then there's John, as you mention. Then there's Castillo and Perez, and the national media wants to see it before they're going to believe it. Then there's Shea, who's going to be gone for long stretches with the Olympic team and USMNT callups. There's the question of depth at the wings and at forward, etc. I mean, if Perez goes down with an extended injury layoff........then we're back to the same crew (minus Chavez) that couldn't score in 2011. I think Latham is undoubtedly correct. Some of the "middle class" of the West should be markedly improved this season. Portland and Vancouver should be better on paper. Pareja's made some interesting moves in the off-season with Colorado, and I have a lot of respect for him. The West is just going to be a blood bath. Personally, I see FCD finishing in the top 4. Some combination of LAG, RSL, FCD, and Seattle will take those spots. It's going to be really tight. A LOT hinges on Ferreira's ability to return to 2010 form. Hell, if he's back to his MVP form we're going to be closer to the Supporter's Shield than the 5th-6th spot in the West.
You look at this roster, and it looks as strong or stronger than the team that nearly won it all in 2010. Maybe this is a stupid way to look at it, but even though Perez is the only major offseason acquisition (IMO), it feels like we've landed 3 huge signings (Perez, Ferreira, John). I'm pumped that John is back, and his time at West Ham could only have helped him improve his game. Perez is the best striker we've had since Hyndman arrived, and Ferreira is... Ferreira. Health of the team is an issue, but without having to worry about CONCACAF Champs League this season will be less of a grind. I also think Castillo will have an amazing year on the right. For me the question is still that CM position. I like Jacobson a lot, but whoever plays there has to be a true box-to-box presence. Someone who can help DH cut down passing lanes, support the attack, and occasionally even make pentrating runs in behind. I like Villar a lot, but I don't think he offers that occasional slash towards goal tha Jacobson does. Plus Jacobons is great on set pieces.
Franco Panizo via SBI http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/03/sbi-mls-season-preview-fc-dallas.html
We are cooking rabbits that have not been caught. That, of course, is the nature of the preseason. Even when games are played, they may have little resemblance to what will transpire once the season proper opens. Teams try out different tactics and players. It could be the case that DF will never be the player he was two years ago. The injury might be fully healed, he might be as sharp as ever, but he is unwilling to go at opposing players. If he is primarily interested in getting rid of the ball as soon as he can, he will become very ordinary. Perez cannot seem to stick with a team; I fear he might show the reason why. We all like the play and the promise of Fabian, but, for the season to go well, he will have to take a huge step forward. He may not be ready to take that step. This does not take injuries or international absences. If things do go wrong, no matter the reason, we know SH will trot out the same eleven week after week. His bizarre substitutions rarely seem to have to do with the game, and never have much affect. The consensus seems to be that the top teams are El Lay, Seattle, and Salt Lake. Why must Dallas be considered with them? Portland and Vancouver are new branches on the MLS tree, but we have all seen expansion teams improve rapidly. The right international, a draft pick performs unexpectedly well, and a team can become formidable. San Jose might well surprise everyone. This team can crash and burn right out of the gate. Prove me wrong, David. Prove me wrong, Blas. Prove me wrong, Fabian. Prove me wrong, Sensi. While the glass is always half empty, and there is never quite enough beer, I do beleive they will prove me wrong. The defense should be stout indeed. I stand firm in my opinion that FCD will roar out of the starting block, as they always do. And then, the inevitable collapse, and FCD will bow out of the playoffs with a yawn. Such is predestined, since 1996. Dead but dreaming, Scipio Diabolus, vox fatum. Contra. Forever in horns.