Quick interview I did with FC Dallas defender Drew Moor who grew up in the DFW area playing his youth soccer. FC Dallas comes off a 2-1 loss to DC United at RFK Stadium. Despite being outplayed they held a 1-0 lead in the first half before being beaten by two Jaime Moreno goals . Particularly disturbing for FC Dallas was the fact that these were very direct goals that came through the heart of their defense. Now you can always just put the accountability on the back four but they seem to be struggling positionally. The first Moreno goal came off a 60 yard direct ball from Bryan Namoff that Moreno was allowed to control between two defenders with FC Dallas defender Daniel Torres inexplicably moving to his left to I assume read the pass:

GD: The squad is struggling defensively, can you put a finger on anything?

DMoor: It’s something I think about every day and every night. We’ve been punished for a lack of concentration. We’ve made mistakes at bad times.

GD: The challenge against your rivals the Dynamo is a big one but could be used as a source of motivation right?

DMoor: This isn’t a normal game for us. We consider this a rivalry game and need points. We the the mind-set to take three points away from them. Season’s can be turned
around.

GD: You are rumored to be moving to right back for this game. Do you have a preference to play at right back or center back?

DMoor: I feel like I have played as much in each position and bouncing back and forth can be challenging.

GD: What has to happen as a team against the Dynamo?

DMoor: We need to match their intensity and alot of that comes from midfield. It is a tough place to play (Robertson). They are relentless, intensity is the big word.

MORE THOUGHTS ON THE DYNAMO AND FC DALLAS

If you are debating about whether you are going tonite I can break your gridlock? Go to the game LIVE! You won’t regret it. This will be intense, fireworks post game and of course you can also come down to autograph alley and get player signatures plus catch my live radio call in show post game on 790 The Sports Animal. Lots of fun and an additional value for you the fan. We are bringing the fan experience to you , so come join me after the game. Also the number to call in to get on the air is 713-212-5790 and I always like to get the opinion and thoughts of you the FANATICO!

Keep an eye on these matchups:

BRIAN MULLAN vs. BLAKE WAGNER- Wagner likes to attack and get forward but something tells me today Mullan could have a field against the FC Dallas left back.
Remember in pre-season and I said pre-season, Mullan absolutely schooled Wagner at will down the right side.

RICARDO CLARK and MARCELO SARAGOSA- Clark is the axis upon which the Dynamo midfield rolls. Saragosa a Brazilian will move from right back to a postion as a holding
midfielder that he has played mostly in MLS. The two will look to establish the middle third of the field in a territorial encounter.
The tackles will be flying.

If all the supposed changes occur from FC Dallas it will be a total shake up and they will be left with alot of youth at the back. Steve Purdy and George John will play at center back positions and Moor will be moved to right back with Wagner at left back. Which leads me back to the midfield and who establishes this area as theirs through effort, posession and overall control. Back fours are only as good as the play in front of them. For Dallas to have any chance today they must play well in midfield.
Lets also not forget the Dynamo was impressive but still scored off a goalkeeper error and corner kick. Lets hope they get some great chances through the run of the play today.
Could be a goal scoring break out game for the Dynamo ……Jeff Cunningham who can fly and is always unpredictable is expected to start if you believe what is coming out of Dallas.

COURTESY OF THE ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU
If you are a stats person here is one for you tonite. Peter Hirdt of the Elias Sports Group brings you this. FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper will be come only the third players in MLS history to start 40 consecutive games as a striker. The mark is currently held by Taylor Twellman of NE and Alejandro Moreno of Columbus. So there you have it stats lovers….

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEW YORK TOROS
Was this a case of a “new” New York Red Bulls under Juan Carlos Osorio or just a reflection of how bad San Jose is right now.
Might just be a little bit of both. To New York credit they came to play last night.
Talk about a team that is consisent with poor individual play, the Earthquakes are in real trouble and are missing key components. I can’t think how disappointed Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop has to be in players that have been given opportunity due to injury.
They have just not been able to get it done.
New York scored 4 goals in 40 minutes at Giants Stadium. Three out of the four goals were clear individual mistakes from San Jose.
Rojas (2), Angel and M. Kandji getting the goals for New York.
The Dynamo hit the fake stuff at Giants Stadium next Saturday. Catch it on KHOU 11.2.

Thoughts on the Dynamo/FC Dallas and your soccer weekend?