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June 28, 2008
FCD HOSTS CHIVAS GUADALAJARA
Game presents opportunity for younger players
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Chivas scored on this shot by Antonio Olvera last year in a 1-1 tie with Dallas in SuperLiga action.
Photo by Michael Stephens |
Sunday’s exhibition match between FC Dallas and Chivas Guadalajara (8 p.m. at Pizza Hut Park) is a real treat for local fans of both teams.
Not only is it a rare opportunity to personally see the renowned Mexican club, home of many former and present world cup stars for Mexico, it comes in a heads-up match against the Dallas MLS club.
It should also be an excellent opportunity to see some of the younger FCD players that new coach Schellas Hyndman has yet to evaluate in a higher-level game that playing against Chivas will provide. Sunday’s game, as well as Tuesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC (to a lesser degree) should showcase players that many fans have been anxious to see, such as Brek Shea, Erik Avila, Josh Lambo, Michael Dello-Russo.
Others that have seen limited minutes may have a chance, such as Anthony Wallace, Ricardinho or Chase Wileman.
It will be interesting to see if Hyndman will have the team play out of the 3-5-2 system that worked in the second half of Thursday's game at Houston, or if he gives some of the younger players pick up on his preferred 4-4-2 system.
Hyndman has indicated some veterans may get a rest, including Kenny Cooper and Pablo Richetti, who suffered a right foot injury at Houston. Ray Burse is playing at Atlanta with Portland, so Josh Lambo may get a chance to backup or even replaced starting goalie Dario Sala.
There are pros and cons to the team facing such a gauntlet of games (four in nine days), beginning with last Thursday’s tie at Houston. It is a real compressed time for Hyndman to see a lot of his players in game conditions. While that is good, he recognizes the challenges.
“That’s going to be a real task for us, because we want to see as many players as we can in competition, and obviously its good competition...But to give everybody playing time, we also realize we have to give other players rest. So the trick is to put a good, competitive team out on the field; play good, attractive soccer; try to get results; and give younger players an opportunity to give the veterans a break as well to give themselves another opportunity to be seen,” Hyndman said.
Last year, the teams met up in the SuperLiga tournament in Dallas and battled to a 1-1 tie.
The former SMU coach also knows the team must focus its prime efforts in the MLS games, the next one being another home match, hosting Kansas City Friday (6 p.m.), followed by a concert and fireworks.
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