FC Dallas still searching for linking midfielder

FRISCO, Texas— All throughout preseason,FC Dallashead coach Schellas Hyndman fielded questions about who was going to replaceDax McCarty’s boots in central midfield. Three weeks into the 2011 campaign, those questions are still posed.

After leaving the North Carolina product unprotected in the Expansion Draft, Hyndman was confident he had the players to fill the spot. Now, he’s not so sure.

“What ends up happening isDaniel Hernandezis one of those central midfielders andDavid Ferreirais one of those central midfielders, so now the connecting spot is a spot I don’t think we have completely settled in,” said Hyndman.

In each of FC Dallas’ first two games, Hyndman has substitutedEric Alexanderout of the center midfielder spot as he sought to make a tactical change.Andrew Jacobsoncame on for Alexander in a 1-1 tie against Chicago in Week 1, and last weekend, in a 2-0 loss to San Jose,Eric Avilacame on for Alexander as Hyndman sought to add more of an offensive attack.

“I think in both games we just needed some offensive spark and the players that he brought on have provided that,"Alexander offered up in explaining his coach's reasoning."I’m in there for my work rate and maybe just trying to get the game settled for the first part.”

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The second-year player, who made his debut with the US national team in January against Chile, performed admirably while McCarty was injured in the midst of FC Dallas’ 19-game unbeaten streak in 2010. The 44th overall pick in the 2010 SuperDraft played in 14 of the 19 games during that span, scoring two goals and working himself into the starting lineup.

This year, however, with the additions of Jacobson, Fabián Castillo, Ricardo Villar and rookieBobby Warshaw, Hyndman is still searching for the best player to field in the middle of the pitch.

“Whether it’s Eric Alexander, whether it’s Andrew Jacobson, it could be Bobby Warshaw, it could be Ricardo Villar, or it could be Jackson {Gonçalves},” said Hyndman.

The veteran coach used Jackson as a central midfielder during Wednesday’s practice and liked what he saw, citing the Brazilian’s speed, skill on the ball and athleticism as positive additions to the midfield.

On one run in a shortened-field scrimmage, Jackson collected the ball from a defender, dribbled past two pursuers and then slid a shot pastKevin Hartman. Outside of Hernandez, Ferreira andMarvin Chavez, another midfield position seems to be solidified.

“I think after the performance of Castillo the other night, you can say he’d probably settle in on the left side,” said Hyndman. “So we are still looking for that one spot.”

With the Chavez’s and Castillo’s speed on the flanks, the leadership in the middle from Hernandez, and the creativity from Ferreira, the linking midfielder will be a storyline to follow for FC Dallas in 2011.

Central midfielder aside, Hyndman knows that his team will be one that competes.

“I think we are a talented team,” said Hyndman."I think we are a team that works hard on both sides of the ball and I think we are a team that’s athletic, so we want to use those areas to our strengths."

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