FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja and group captain Matt Hedges each view the squad’s youth as a supply of power because the group prepares to face Vancouver within the opening match of the 2014 MLS playoffs.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 29, 2014
10:20 AM
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER’S postseason match begins tonight with a really unpredictable single-elimination matchup between a youthful FC Dallas membership and a Vancouver Whitecaps aspect that performed terrific soccer in current weeks to surge into the playoffs.
Vancouver enters the sport (9pm ET, MLS Stay) with 4 wins and a attract its final 5 to assert the ultimate playoff place. Most impressively, the Whitecaps have performed incredible protection throughout that stretch, not permitting a aim in 4 straight video games.
FC Dallas, however, has been inconsistent this season with lengthy profitable and dropping streaks. At occasions it has regarded like a viable MLS Cup contender however at different occasions the squad appeared very younger and weak.
Which FC Dallas group will present up? Group captain Matt Hedges is optimistic.
“I think in the middle of the season we had that long streak where we had a couple of guys out injured and we were rotating the lineup a lot,” Hedges informed American Soccer Now. “As soon as we bought the blokes again we had been extra constant.”
These attempting occasions, Hedges steered, could show useful in the long term.
“During that losing streak we also got a bunch of young guys experience and it really helped toward the end of the season, he said. “It must be optimistic to have all these guys with expertise as we head into the playoffs and if we have to make any lineup adjustments, we all know we that we will belief all these guys.”
FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja is in his first 12 months on the helm and has engineered a exceptional turnaround. A former FC Dallas participant, and star, Pareja served as coach for the Colorado Rapids in 2012 however left to take the FC Dallas job when Schellas Hyndman stepped down after the 2013 season.
The Colombian-born Pareja believes he laid the suitable groundwork for a hit playoff run all year long.
“My approach to them is one game at a time with the same intensity and importance,” Pareja mentioned. “Typically it’s a troublesome job to perform however that’s the best way I could make [the players] perceive that’s the manner you need to play this recreation. It’s all the time with urgency and accountability. I hope to maintain creating them as a gaggle and deal with this stage with the significance that it has.
“I am just going to keep doing the same job with them. I don’t change much. I just make them feel confident that they have earned this responsibility to be in the playoffs. That for sure is exciting.”
The FC Dallas core consists of fullback Kellyn Acosta, 19, Victor Ulloa, 22, Tesho Akindele, 22, Andres Escobar, 23, and 22-year-old Colombian attacker Fabian Castillo—one of many league’s most explosive gamers.
Whereas it could appear counterintuitive, Hedges feels that that the group’s youth will likely be a supply of power.
“I look at it as an advantage,” Hedges mentioned. “A lot of the guys are only a few years into the league and they are excited to play. I don’t think the playoff atmosphere will faze them at all. It’s the playoffs and we know it’s a big deal but we are preparing the same way we do for every other game.”
Hedges, 24, is without doubt one of the youngest captains in MLS and the tall central defender has loved a really robust season during which he has anchored a backline that has been among the many finest within the robust Western Convention.
Pareja knew Hedges would develop into the captain’s function because the season progressed.
“We decided at the beginning of the year to build this project and base it on a young roster to give the possibility of [young players] to grow together,” Pareja mentioned. “I gave Matt that accountability. I noticed it as a manner for him to develop into it. I knew that he wasn’t prepared for it—regular, as a result of he’s younger. However I knew that it will be necessary for him to achieve these sneakers.
“I feel he has achieved an awesome job for that half. I’ve seen him rising.”
The groups have performed 3 times this 12 months, leading to one win for each groups, and a tie. Vancouver received the latest contest—a 2-0 victory on October 4.
Hedges believes the important thing will likely be taking part in with a excessive defensive position, forcing turnovers, and relentlessly pressuring Vancouver’s midfield.
“We just need to come out and press them high,” Hedges defined. “I feel if we will do this and win the ball up excessive, we are going to get our probabilities. With Fabian and Andres, if we will get the ball to them out broad, we will likely be actually harmful.
“The mood is positive. We’re looking forward to the playoffs. It’s the first time in a couple of years we’ve been there. We’re all excited and we’re ready to go.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.
