The standings show FC Dallas well in control of the Western Conference race at the moment, and last night’s 2-2 draw in Vancouver looks like an adequate result at first glance. The Texans are unbeaten in their last seven, and they have collected 20 of a possible 27 points to begin 2013.
There are exactly 18 other clubs that would take that right now. Believe it.
But there is plenty of reason to fret today for Red Stripe faithful. Yes, you have our permission to fret.
Two players quite key to the operation around FC Dallas Stadium went off injured last night. First went Andrew Jacobson (pictured), who has combined so well with Brazilian midfielder Michel in the dual holding roles. Then went George John, who captains my personal All-Underrated Team of 2013.
If you don’t think George is important to the cause, consider this little bit, stunning and telling all at once: This is the second time that George has gone off at halftime, and the club fumbled away two goal leads each time. (That includes a match in Toronto and last night’s draw at BC Place.) As much as Blas Perez’s scoring and David Ferreira’s playmaking does for FC Dallas, there is a surely case to be made that John is the most important man for Schellas Hyndman’s team.
All of this underscores an important, larger point for the West leaders: this was always their Achilles heel. While Dallas was surely deep at striker and goalkeeper, they were always thin across the midfield and at center back.
I spoke to Ugo Ihemelu two weeks ago, and the veteran center back is nowhere near getting past those unfortunate concussion-related issues, so there’s no veteran cover there. In the midfield, don’t forget that Peter Luccin, signed by the club in the off-season specifically for central mid duties, is out for the year with a knee injury.
The one silver lining: Dallas is idle for the coming weekend before getting Portland in mid-week on May 8.