FC Dallas is in Portugal for their annual preseason trip outside of North Texas.

While we don't have an official word as to who they'll be playing while they are there, we do know this camp is going to be all about how new manager Eric Quill can quickly get this group to come together ahead of the new season in late February.

Here are a few things that I am keeping tabs on these next few days as the team trains and plays in Portugal.

Getting the team on the same page

Chemistry is important, right? I spent a little bit of time last week on the topic, but it does matter in the long run in MLS.

I’ll go back to the same quote I use nearly every year, each MLS season is a marathon and not a sprint. Chemsitry is the same thing, it doesn’t happen over night with any professional team.

How important is team chemistry for FC Dallas?
Buckle up folks, it could be a long bumpy ride this year.

Thankfully, trips like this will help move it along a lot quicker. Getting out of your comfort zone, even for a week and a half with just the same group of guys tends to help build those partnerships and dynamics that you can’t get at home.

FC Dallas needs to use this time in Portugal, both on and off the field, to get this group on the same page. With so many new faces already on the roster, and likely more on the way in the coming weeks, they can’t take this time lightly.