Ahead of Saturday's home opener at Children's Mercy Park, SportingKC.com caught up with Goal.com's Jon Arnold to preview #SKCvFCD. Live coverage of Saturday's match is available on FOX Sports KC, FOX Sports GO, 99.3 FM, and La Grande 1340 AM. Check out MatchDay Central for complete online coverage.
What are your thoughts on FC Dallas’ 2-1 victory against LA Galaxy on Saturday?
It was a great start for FC Dallas to get into LA midday Thursday and not miss a beat. The new additions functioned well, and FCD controlled the game.
FC Dallas play the first leg of the CCL semifinals Wednesday (March 15). Are you expecting any starters to be rested on Saturday or close to a full strength Starting XI?
I would expect to see a handful modifications from the LA game in anticipation of the CCL semifinals. FCD really, really wants to win this thing and doesn't have much of a chance to do so if they don't get a result in the (home) first leg. With that said, Pareja had no reservations about playing a team close to full strength in the second leg of the quarterfinal despite holding on to a 4-0 advantage and playing those same players in LA. A lot of credit goes to fitness coach Fabian Bazan, and, to his credit, pulled or strained muscles haven't been a problem for most players turning around on short rest.
Do you think FC Dallas will approach this match differently with that CCL match coming up?
I'm tempted to say no, but there were some times before crucial U.S. Open Cup games last season - another trophy FCD was earnestly chasing after - where Oscar Pareja made big tweaks or played a way the team wouldn't have played otherwise. I also think that at the start of the season, with plenty of footage available on Pachuca and not much around on SKC quite yet that the scouting portion of things may quickly turn to crafting a game plan for Pachuca.
What’s been the key to the club’s continuous development of players from the Academy to the first team? Do you think we’ll see any of those homegrown players in action on Saturday night?
The key has been commitment. No team has poured resources into the academy like Dallas has, not only to sign homegrown players but to make sure coaches who share the club's philosophy are around. That starts with Pareja, but credit lately has to go to Academy director Luchi Gonzalez, who hardly gets enough credit for the teams he's put together.
Right now, with Victor Ulloa injured, Kellyn Acosta is probably the only homegrown who is a regular starter, but expect Paxton Pomykal to be a frequent contributor off the bench this season. He and Jesus Ferreira are just 16, and Bryan Reynolds is just 15. I'd be lying if I said I'd seen a ton of them, but what I have seen has been impressive, and club officials think all three will be contributors with FCD trying to compete in so many tournaments this season.
What were the major offseason acquisitions for Dallas?
Paraguayan forward Cristian Colman is the marquee, giving FCD much more flexibility in attack with a big, physical "true No. 9." One that isn't getting as much attention as I think he should is Hernan Grana. The right back is an upgrade defensively there from the converted wingers FCD had used last season and also is one of the best crossers the team has. That should come in very helpful now that there's a target in the box who can bang the ball in. The team also added former RSL playmaker Javi Morales, Anibal Chala, who is out after sports hernia surgery, and Carlos Cermeno, a Venezuelan midfielder who is the latest unpolished South American gem Pareja and his staff are looking to make shine.
Kellyn Acosta is seen as a rising star in MLS (and scored the game-winner at LA). What do you see as his potential and is he a player who can fill some of the void for Mauro Diaz?
I think his potential is enormous, and a lot of that is because of the work he put in during the winter to be more of an attacking threat. Can he fill the void left by Diaz? Yes and no. He's a sneak good set-piece taker, which is something team misses, but doesn't have the tools in his toolbox to be a straight-up No. 10. Still, getting forward more often from the middle is possible with FCD now able to line up in a 4-4-2 thanks to the acquisition of Colman. Last season, when Diaz wasn't creating changes, the attack could go silent. I think they've guarded against that with their offseason moves, and Acosta's progression is part of that.
What are you looking forward to seeing from Saturday’s match?
I promise I'm not pandering, but I'm excited to see the crowd at Children's Mercy Park. As much as FCD has been a leader with their sporting plan, they could take notes from KC in terms of fostering an atmosphere and excellent match experience. In the game, I think the midfield battle will be a lot of fun. Carlos Gruezo is quietly excellent but will be busy with Feilhaber. And, as a CONCACAF nut, I've always enjoyed watching Roger Espinoza work.
Finally, any predictions or thoughts on what might happen in Saturday’s match?
One of FCD's goals this year is not to settle for a point on the road but instead look for wins. With the stadium sure to have a special feel around it because of the home opener and a few regulars perhaps resting because of the CCL, I'm tempted to say we'll see a draw. Despite the offseason goal, I think FCD would be content with a point.
