The Current FCD Depth Chart
by Daniel Robertson on Dec 27, 2011 11:20 AM CST
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Never too early to take a look at the depth chart as it currently stands. Should give us a better look at where the needs are. I'm not including the rumored new center back Hernan Pertuz, but if I did he would slot in as center back #3. I'm only including a player at one position, though, especially through the back 4, the positions can be interchanged.
Goalkeeper
2. Chris Seitz
Left Back
1. Jair Benitez
Keep reading for the rest of the depth chart and some comments
Center Back
1. Ugo Ihemelu
2. George John
3. Jack Stewart
Right Back
1. Zach Loyd
2. ?
Defensive midfielder
3. Victor Ulloa
Linking midfielder
2. Daniel Cruz
3. Bruno Guarda
Right Midfield
1. Jackson
Left Midfield
1. Brek Shea
2. Bryan Leyva
Central attacking midfielder
Forward
1a. Ruben Luna
1b. Fabian Castillo
3. Jonathan Top
Observations
Two deep Schellas Hyndman, and all coaches really, want competition at every position. In looking at this depth chart, there's decent competition at most positions, though the right side is a trouble spot. Hopefully Andrew Wiedeman continues his upward progression and seriously battles Jackson at right mid, but as of now that is hopeful thinking. Brek doesn't have a lot of competition at left mid, but I don't think anyone is really worried about him.
The signing of Pertuz should be a fantastic deal to keep the pressure on Ugo and John while potentially grooming the 22 year old to take over for John whenever he leaves.
Where does Fabian Castillo play? We'll talk about pre-season storylines after the draft, but one of the biggest ones will be where Castillo fits into the system. Right now I listed him as a forward, but really I think he will be pretty much the first attacking option off the bench wherever he's needed. Castillo should replace Brek Shea at left mid whenever he's gone for national team or Olympics, though Brian Leyva showed a lot in reserve league last year to suggest he could get some cameo playing time in 2012.
Midfield depth Between Ferreira, Jacobson, Hernandez, Warshaw, Villar, Cruz, Guarda and Ulloa, center midfield is certainly not a spot of worry at this point. I hope that only one of Cruz and Villar make the squad as they're such similar players, there's not a huge need for them. It will be extremely interesting to see how Ferreira and Jacobson combine as we didn't really see much of them together in 2011 due to the injury, but I have a suspicion things will work out very well.
Thin backline Even with the signing of Pertuz, the backline is strong 1-4 but very thin after that. There's no real backup for right back while you really need two serviceable centerbacks behind John and Ugo. Pertuz and Stewart, if he comes back, would be an ok backup pair, but it's something that can still certainly be improved.
Forward Obviously a forward is needed, we've beaten that one to death. Just be patient.
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draft priorities?
Looking at this, I’m assuming SH will look for a right back in the draft. Past that, I guess you’d want a prospect at right midfield, attacking midfield and/or a swiss army knife type of guy, I guess. If any draftee gets a lot of playing time in 2012 I’ll be either very impressed or distraught over massive injury issues.
Daniel, have you heard anything about Jack Stewart’s loan? Is FCD purchasing him? Seemed like a decent backup to have at a low cap number.
Not sure
I doubt they would have to pay much of anything to purchase him. It’s very unlikely Stewart was on a multi-year contract in the NASL. He could be back, I thought he showed enough to get at least a look in pre-season.
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-SB Nation Dallas/Ft. Worth-
-FC Dallas-
by Daniel Robertson on Dec 27, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Deja Vu
Seems like almost the exact same thing could’ve been written last year…except we’re worse without Eric Alexander and Marvin Chavez. Still a HUGE question at striker, less depth on the wings and an assload of central midfielders.
Yep
As of right now, FCD is unquestionably worse heading into 2012 than they were in 2011. There’s still a lot of time and roster spots though.
www.bigdsoccer.com
-SB Nation Dallas/Ft. Worth-
-FC Dallas-
by Daniel Robertson on Dec 27, 2011 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
Am I the only one?
That is not a big fan of Benitez? Here is hoping Moises takes over and becomes a solid left back.
He's...
a top half left back in the league, IMO. Rarely makes a mistake and has good recovery speed. Not really a problem spot on the team.
I can understand why others wouldn’t like him though.
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-SB Nation Dallas/Ft. Worth-
-FC Dallas-
by Daniel Robertson on Dec 27, 2011 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
You probably are :)
Just kidding but I really like the way JB plays. Always gives 100%, loves going forward and provides good service from the left side…even if the final ball is not always executed consistently (if it were, he’d prob not be in MLS).
I do agree that I’d love to see Moises get some time and be able to handle that LB position as I’d like to see some of JB on the left side of midfield and Brek running up top in a 4-4-2 or even just to give Brek some rest or when we are without him for other competitions.
=)
He’s a flopper, other than that he does very well, especially when looking at the rest of the league. His tendency to hit the ground and roll around infuriates me, mostly when he does it on the back half of the field, where he should be hustling back to defend. Ugo does well enough to cover him for the few times he does it and doesn’t get a call. It seemed towards the end of the season (near end of games when legs where heaviest) he’d do it way more than he should have. Like Daniel said, he’s got great recovery speed, and jyj mentioned his service; I agree it’s better than most of the other LB in the league, we’re blessed to have him I’d say. I do expect to see Moises to play some, around 180 minutes perhaps, mostly USOC time and extremely late subs.
by Timothy Winning Voyles on Dec 27, 2011 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks guys!
My main concern with Jair was “emotional intelligence” lol don’t kill me I know that all FCD fans hate that phrase now. The other concern I have is that he made some Jeremy Hall like mistakes towards the end of the year that frustrated me. Having said that, I don’t think our whole defense was really solid towards the end of the year so maybe I am being a bit harsh. The fact that y’all three respected FC Dallas opinionated individuals disagree with me makes me sure that I need to reevaluate my opinion on Jair. Thanks guys!
lol
Everyone’s entitled man, this is a place of love of one team. There must be different ideas or else we could just talk to ourselves and agree with ourselves at work all day haha. The whole team was a bit of a mess near the end of the season, we were beat down with the massive amount of time played, pretty sure just about all the starting 11 were carrying a knock or two that hampered best play. Reload and try again!
by Timothy Winning Voyles on Dec 27, 2011 5:03 PM CST up reply actions
the spitting was uncalled for...
…though Brian Ching’s high and mighty remarks afterwards were even more uncalled for. I chose to highlight that as my case study on the emotional intelligence issue. That aside, his speed up the flanks is unreal. I think I sprained my neck trying to keep up with him on one occasion. His ability to spot a dangerous run from our mids and forwards and connect with it from deep on our end is also a real asset. He really is one of the better options in the league at that spot. Which doesn’t mean it’s not a spot worth reinforcing, but at as Daniel’s depth chart shows, the right side should be a higher priority.
tangent
has there been any talk from the gran queso or other key coaching staff about some possible experimentation with new systems in 2012. Whoever we land up front, I do not want to see Luna and Castillo languish on the bench.
DallasTilIDie
MAJ, USA
stuck in Afghanistan, a long long way from Pizza Hut Park
by DallasTilIDie on Dec 28, 2011 4:29 AM CST up reply actions
I hope
I really hope that SH actually rotates his squad and gives minutes to those young guys like ruben luna. The main problem last season among others was a lack of rotation down the stretch. Games against chivas usa and san jose make for good opportunities. I have faith in SH. I believe we are one striker, finding starting form for castillo, and a replacement for marvin chavez away from MLS Cup run potential.
by JaredfromSA on Dec 27, 2011 9:05 PM CST via Android app reply actions 1 recs
Yep, too bad
that we don’t have CCL to worry about rotating for this season…still agree that we should give the youngsters more minutes, but SH has once again done it his way first, f—ked it up and now we are scrambling to get it back together. The first time ended with him no longer calling players out in the media, Guarda on the bench and us in the MLS Cup final…hopefully we can be so fortunate again.
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