We're Not Going To Take It!

Yes, I know Twisted Sister does not make it on the air waves anymore. But, the title of their album "Stay Hungry" says it all for FCD. Back in July, FCD was hungry and had a more youthful exuberance. Some injuries crept up around that time and they signed some slacker named Denilson (aka De-nada-son = The son of nothing much). Regardless of his signing, the one time adolescent intensity has since vanished. This is typical for FCD. It seems every year when they feel they have accumulated enough points for the playoffs, they hang up the boots and attentions are elsewhere. Now, they are scrambling to regain the magic they once had in the first half of this season.

Here are some suggestions for FCD as they approach the playoffs.

1. Play team defense. The reason the back line is weak is because no one else is coming to help. Defenses only excel when the whole team helps. Get back on D and rebuild the Big Red Wall.
2. Play young. Need a reference. Look at Dee Snyder above. Simply put, the young are hungry. Any player not hustling and not playing defense, get them out of the game. Keep the young guys in the game and good things will happen. Keep the old guys in the game and the same predictable sleepy sloth match will unfold. The young are hungry and the old are not. Oh and, start Ray Burse, Jr. in goal.
3. Play smart. Get back on defense, chase down loose balls, work together, pass quick. Trying to look impressive by juggling the ball while your teammates streak to an open area to receive your pass late while they're covered is stupid. If you are not going to pay attention to your teammates, please do not come to the park.

FCD played Houston 4 times this year. They earned 1 point against their in-state rival from these matches going 0-3-1. Things do not look good for FCD based on these results. If FCD could get the swagger it had in Superliga and the first half of the season, then they may have a chance.

Grasping at Straws ... In the last two years, FCD has taken on Colorado and lost in the first round of the playoffs. During those seasons, FCD dominated Colorado. I think Colorado won maybe one game over those two regular seasons against FCD. If the strange MLS history repeats itself, then FCD will win. Then again, they are playing the battle harden Dynamo ... The glimmer of hope rests on Arturo Alvarez, Abe Thompson, Juan Toja, Dax McCarthy, Chris Gbandi, Drew Moor, Carlos Ruiz and Kenny Cooper. If these guys rise above, the others will follow.

Last point ... FCD must win the first game by two goals. If they win by one, tie or lose, then they are done. A two goal cushion may be enough for them to survive in Houston. Anything less is another early exit.

If FCD wants to get fired up or have a good laugh, the link below should help. You will thank me for this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs37NSLy3z4

Is "shambolic" actually a word?

So at the tender age of 40, I've finally broken down and posted my very first blog entry. In order to actually post, I've had to overcome the intense guilt at not posting to Bryan's Bar, as well as being intimidated by the previously posted prose of both Bryan and Pablo at their respective blogs.

Speaking of disappointing results, Pablo, Brandon, Kevin and I attended the US Open Cup final between FC Dallas and New England last night. We went with high hopes of seeing Dallas take silverware for the first time since their 1997 Open Cup win over DC United. Although Dallas dominated possession much of the evening and kept things close, ultimately defensive breakdowns left them on the short end of a 3-2 result.
Offensively, FC Dallas looked dangerous all night. They played with excellent width, regularly flying crosses in from both sides of the field. Unfortunately, they just couldn't seem to get on the end of anything, probably owing to their lack of height up front. Arturo Alvarez did have a cracker of a goal in the first half to tie things up at 1-1, certainly the goal of the match.

It was the defense that let the home fans down time and again throughout the match. The Revolution never seemed threatening in their passing and build up. Each of their goals seemed to come out of plays that appeared to be going nowhere until poor marking by FD Dallas led to a cheap goal.

With the team in the middle of a late season fade that seems to be their trademark in so many recent season, hopes of bringing home the MLS Cup appear to be fading along with their results. Perhaps if they can shore up things defensively and show some of the offensive spark they demonstrated last night, some joy may be found in the post season.

A final note: Actual attendance had to have been well below the announced crowd of 10,600. Shocking attendance for a cup final, but after reading Pablo's post on the misguided efforts of the club's marketing department, should we be surprised? Where's my wig?!

Arturo Alvarez & Carlos Ruiz photo courtesy of mysoccer.com: http://www.mysoccer.com/mls6/fcd0606.php

What Will Pack the Stands? WIGS!

Pablonius has sympathy for the FC Dallas Marketing Team since they have such a small budget. I will give him that one. But what I will not accept is the use of the budget. For example, October 11, 2007 at the Pizza Hut Park the first 5,000 fans receive a Juan Toja wig. But come on! Wig Night?! I am not making this stuff up. And you thought Redneck Night was far-fetched?

I have not received an e-mail informing me of the US Open Cup final that is almost 48 hours from now. I checked to see what tickets were available this AM. What was the offer? Front row near mid-field $15 a pop. No, please don't send any free e-mails. Just keep those zany wigs coming! Giving out wigs does not sell more tickets. Getting the word out might sell more tickets. Winning games when it matters will sell more tickets. When Wig Night happens, you will see a half full stadium, FCD lose and our fans sporting mullets. Mullets are only cool when you want to look stupid and FCD will have no problem there.

FCD - flat out - is stinking up the league right now. I am hopeful for the Cup final, but not the playoffs. They have three regular season games and they need to get points in all of them. With Carlos Ruiz showing his temper yesterday and getting the red, he may not be back until the playoffs. I think this is good. The rest of his "supporting cast" need to figure out how to play together again. As for Denilson Watch 2007, he has been a bust and most likely will continue to be. Thank Goodness Kenny Cooper will be back in the line up soon.

Who's on my radar that is off the radar?

• Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in the Primera División de Argentina. Their past two matches were a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors and a 4-0 trouncing of Gimnasia La Plata. This week they take on Independiente, the league leader.
• In Mexico, Jaguares de Chiapas maybe be going for a record in draws. They are either really bad or really good.

And the one the really look out for....

• Leeds United. 7 wins, 1 draw, no losses. Already nailed for a 15 point penalty, Leeds is clawing its way out of the English League One cellar with hopes of at least making it back to the English League Championship. When that happens, who knows maybe Strongbow and Nike will come back as sponsors? Maybe 2-3 years from now we'll have a good laugh of their run and the Premiership will recognize them as a club again. If your anti-establishment, root for Leeds.