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September 3, 2009
MOOR SHOCKED, BUT NOT DOWN
Hyndman puts faith in Ihemelu
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Drew Moor found parting with Dallas a shock, but is ready to be a solid Colorado Rapids player.
Photo by Michael Stephens |
The shock is basically over. However, in the realm of professional sports, the trade of any athlete, even such a hometown hero and positive locker room influence as Drew Moor, should come as no surprise.
This is the nature of professional sports, where winning is everything and whatever it takes to win is called strategy. Strategy is the realm of the head coach and ultimately, the head coach bears the responsibility of his actions.
FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman has certainly felt the heat from a number of his decisions. Unquestionably, he never received the criticism or had his decisions questioned in his 24-year SMU career like he has had in the 12 months that he has served as the professional coach for Dallas. Of course he never suffered the kind of losing at SMU that he has endured at Pizza Hut Park.
Hyndman is dedicated to building his team at FCD with the players he knows will play the game as he sees it and get results. From the beginning, he said either the players would do what he asked or he would get those who would.
Hyndman had a hard decision to make with Moor, a player who had his back, played the game as he was instructed and got results. Unfortunately, the results didn’t include enough victories. Hyndman had to take a harder look at Moor to see his only possible weak spot—dynamic quickness that is so valuable for any athlete.
But Moor knew how to compensate for that in most instances, plus he had the mentality to go forward with penetrating runs and make great passes or score goals. With eight games to go in this season, He has scored three goals, a career high, and has eight markers in his near-five seasons at FCD.
From almost the first day Hyndman has been the gaffer of Dallas, he has wanted to get Ugo Ihemelu on the team. The Cedar Hill native was a top player at SMU, the kind of player Hyndman figured would be a professional success after his first season on the Hilltop. And Ihemelu had that rare ingredient of speed to go with his good character. Even better, Hyndman is sure Ihemelu will know exactly how his former college mentor wants him to play the game. He is exactly the kind of player he wants for FC Dallas.
Now the former Mustang player is re-united with Hyndman and back home in the Metroplex. Hyndman is banking on that reconnection and Ihemelu’s athleticism. Until time tells a more complete story on this trade, who knows how it will balance out? Ihemelu’s effectiveness with FCD is a story that hasn’t been written.
But what is known is the factor that makes this a gamble for Hyndman.
Moor is a known positive factor, an effective defender and sometime goal scorer. He is locker room gold, well respected and has worn the captain’s band on more than one occasion. His presence will be missed. That can be written in the book right now.
Moor did not see this coming, nor did any other player. It really seems that Hyndman did not see it coming, or believe it would come to this. But when he knew what it would take to make Ihemelu show up at Pizza Hut Park in red and white stripes, he pulled the trigger and told Moor what transpired just as he was about to go to practice Monday morning.
Moor admitted it was a shock.
“Being shown the door was hard to swallow,” Moor said. “It was a life-changing moment. Schellas was very professional about it. I don’t think it was easy for him to do, or for me to sit through.”
Moor admitted he would have been happy to play here for the rest of his career.
“I have been very lucky to play here in my hometown for 4 ½ years. I feel I have done a lot right here. I put the shirt on every day with a smile and gave it everything I had. It was special to play for Dallas. If I had to play with injury, I did. If I had to play out of position, I did. . . Being versatile is a good thing. I won’t ever complain.”
He figures to see action at right back, center or perhaps even midfield. He just sees it as a new challenge. He has seen several challenges in his time in here, playing under three head coaches in Colin Clarke, Steve Morrow and Hyndman, as well as interim coach Marco Ferruzi.
After talking to his new coach, Gary Smith, Moor sounded like he was eager and ready for this new step.
“Smith was very professional,” Moor said. “Colorado really seems to have wanted me. . . Who wouldn’t want to go to a team that is welcoming you with open arms?”
Moor said he has no hard feelings toward Hyndman, just maybe a little let down. He spoke to me Tuesday night, before he left for Colorado on Wednesday.
“I’m ready to leave for Denver and get this behind me,” he said. Speaking of Dallas, he said, “I love this organization and this club. But when I get on the airplane tomorrow, I will be ready to go. I will be a Rapids’ player.”
One last thing—when reminded that Colorado has one more game with FC Dallas, Moor just said, “Oh yes, October 17. We play at Pizza Hut Park in Dallas’ last home game. I already have that date circled.”
Oh yes, bet on it.
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