I didn’t put my usual FC Dallas update in Leading Off this morning because the situation kind of depresses me. Facing a must-win (or at least must-draw) game against Seattle, the team instead fell 3-0.
Man, I don’t know. FCD — looking so good and sharp earlier in the season and coming off back-to-back 60 point seasons with essentially the same squad — has fallen apart. Over the past 14 matches, FC Dallas has one (1) win. The loss to Seattle leaves the team in seventh and out of the playoffs, with one final game left against LA Galaxy. They need to win. A draw maybe works. But they have to get help from San Jose.
Now a franchise that appeared like it was in the midst of an unbroken run of dominance built on smart South and Central American acquisitions and its outstanding academy system seems like it is at a turning point. Top goal scorer Maxi Urruti wants to go back to Argentina to be near his girlfriend and their new baby, following dynamic winger Fabian Castillo’s exit last season. Mauro Diaz is still recovering from an achilles tear, and those are traditionally difficult to fully rebound from. (Diaz also has been somewhat injury prone during his career.) Oscar Pareja, who has overseen FCD’s rise, is being talked about as the new boss of the U.S. Men’s National Team.
It’s probably fine. Maybe it is. OK, hopefully it is.
