May You Live in Interesting Times

The past few weeks has been an interesting period for professional and college sports with the issues surrounding players, domestic violence, violence against women and general inappropriate behavior.

I am not going to detail what has already been covered by others elsewhere, but I want to add a call to action. Every once in a while, and issue becomes The Topic, and in moments like this, massive change can happen. In fact, I think we are seeing huge change now, no matter what happens.

I will, though, share one link that has Samantha Ponder's great comments this morning for ESPN: http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/9/20/6655009/watch-sam-ponders-spot-on-jameis-winston-comments-on-gameday

But let's not take that chance. Add your voice. Small (Twitter, Facebook) or big (whatever that looks like to you), put your two cents in to the NFL, Florida State, the NCAA, MLB, whoever. Just be a part of the conversation because it seems we have a very real chance to massively change the way women and children are treated, especially as it relates to domestic violence and violence against women.

But I would suggest one other thing. If you have the time, find out about local womens' shelters, etc., and other charities that help victims of abuse and see how you can support them. A simple google search should give you that information.

And maybe put in a word with your local DA.

Let's make sure that the kinds of things that led to Ray Rice almost getting away with severe abuse to his fiance is significantly more difficult to allow, and further that we are taking care of those who are victims of such abuse.

If you really want to get educated on the subject, don't hesitate to read about the complex nature of domestic violence and violence against women - including blaming the victim mentality, etc. It is not in any way an easy topic, but deep down, I think you know you really need to know more about it. Don't shy away - the person you understand better, and ultimately help, could be someone you know personally. Just look at the rape statistics - if that doesn't bring the issue home for you, I really don't know what to say.

I just know that for me, domestic violence and violence against women is one of the biggest un-discussed issues we face. Let's take advantage of the spotlight that is currently on it and make it count.

Special Olympics Texas team defeats Special Olympics Colorado, 2-0, in match at Toyota Stadium

FRISCO, Texas _ Tonight at Toyota Stadium, the Special Olympics Texas team defeated the  Special Olympics Colorado team, 2-0, with both goals coming in the second half.

The match was played with full presentation from the FC Dallas staff, in front of an energetic and supportive crowd after the FC Dallas 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids, including the Dallas supporters groups, FC Drum and the entire first team.

It was a back and forth match, but the Texas club broke away in the second half. Jacob Hill opened the scoring in the 4^th minute of the second half, finishing a series of attempts on goal with a low shot into the back of the net. Colorado worked to create their own chances, trying to get back into the match, but gave up a late breakaway eight minutes from time that Steven McIlheny finished to finalize the scoring.

Reece Halfmann was in goal for Dallas and made some late saves to preserve the shutout.

After the game, both teams were given medals at the end of the match from FC Dallas President and owner Dan Hunt, head coach Oscar Pareja and team captain Matt Hedges.

The center referee for the match was Rob Kucenski.

FC Dallas wins a big one on Monday

Last night, FC Dallas (and the Philadelphia Union) won a substantive victory - the winner of the match between the two on August 12 (yes, Kyle's birthday!) will host the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final!

It was a coin flip shown live on Men In Blazers and MLSSoccer.com.  Pretty exciting stuff, in large part because the other side of the coin (literally) would have meant traveling to either Seattle or Chicago for the Final. Both venues have some history of filling a stadium for big games, although clearly the Sounders have been doing that for pretty much everything these days, whereas Chicago has been struggling over the past few years.

Obviously, Dallas does have to win next Tuesday for this to matter. If you do not have tickets, PLEASE consider getting them for that game. Clearly, having a big crowd has helped this team at times, so be a part of the success!

FC Dallas beats Chvias USA - what it means

Quick update on the piece I did earlier on evaluating Dallas and the playoffs. Tonight, Dallas beat Chivas USA on the road for their first road win in almost four months.

It puts Dallas three points back of RSL and even on games. Catch-able.

It puts Dallas even on points with the Galaxy, although they have three games in hand. Not as catch-able, but not impossible.

But the other thing that it key here - Dallas hosts Colorado on the weekend. Currently Dallas is three points up on the Rapids and even on games. A win in that match, and that puts another three points between Dallas and Colorado. Big. Not "bring out the closing music" big, but big.

The other think to take away from tonight's game is this - Dallas once again was leading in the second half of a road game. Win or draw, that is good stuff. Shoot, add in the Open Cup matches and now you are looking at six road games in a row where Dallas has every reason to think they could have and maybe should have won.

ALL WITHOUT MAURO DIAZ AS A KEY STARTER.

Let that sink in, fellas. (The ladies have already figured this out. Trust me on this.)

Without Mauro Diaz.

And key in this is the development of three players - Akindele, Escobar and Castillo. Each had their own developing that needed to happen, and each of them have.  Now, once Diaz can go 90 minutes, you will likely see a switch back to a 4-2-3-1 with Escobar and Castillo on the wings. You will probably also see Blas Perez stay as the 1, which should not be a surprise. BUT. if Perez should falter, you have the rookie to bring in and he has shown he can contribute. Can he be The Starter, and all the pressure that implies? Maybe. Maybe not. But absolutely he can contribute. Which, in my eye, is why Perez won't falter. Love competition for starting spots.

But now that Castillo has matured some, and Escobar has worked his way into fitness and knowing the league, both are very dangerous. The speed and skill in Dallas' attacking four is borderline sick.

At least in terms of potential.

A few random thoughts on FC Dallas and playoff race

I usually touch on this in my MLS Rankings, but I wanted to go into a little more detail than I usually do there, so here goes.

First off, I think that a first goal for Pareja this season would be to establish his system, locker-room atmosphere, and start sifting through the players on the roster as he inherited a roster he had little input on. So far, so good. Clearly, this team has survived challenges that you can't without some real quality on the roster, cohesion and leadership - both from top down and from within.

Second, see how far you can take it. At the very least, get into the playoffs. On that part, so far so good as well. It isn't a lock, not by any means. The rest of the schedule has challenges and there are realistically seven teams right now in the West who have a chance to make the top five, barring a fantastic run from either San Jose or Chivas USA. Right now, Dallas is fourth in the West, three points behind Los Angeles, six behind Real Salt Lake and eight behind Seattle who sites at the top. Colorado, Vancouver and Portland trail.

With all the intra-conference games remaining, odds are that Seattle is likely in, and it is going to take something special for Real Salt Lake and the Galaxy to not make the playoffs. Set aside whether Dallas can catch any of them for a moment. But if that is true, then you are looking at four teams fighting for two spots, and Dallas currently is at the top of the four and seems to be the stronger side, especially considering Diaz is getting closer and closer to playing 90 minutes. Bottom line, it is going to take some real effort, but making the playoffs - and likely being fourth rather than fifth - is a legitimate possibility.

Third, can they do more than just get in to the 4-5 matchup? Recall that in MLS, the playoffs pit the 4 seed against the 5 seed in a one game playoff mid-week before a series against the No. 1 seed. It is a very tough ask for any team - win on a Wednesday, then play a home and home series with the best team in the conference that is rested. Not at the expense of making the playoffs at all, but if at all possible, this is something to be avoided.

It is here that I think we will see how good this team is. Much as FC Dallas fans might want to believe the team can win the conference, at this point, they are too many points behind with not enough games to play against the right teams. Yes, it is mathematically possible, and there certainly are enough games that it can happen. I am certainly not saying the team should not try. But taking the 10,000 foot view, it is not likely. Seattle, Los Angeles and RSL are too good to pass all three.

But not all three are going to stay hot. It IS possible to catch one of them for the No. 3 seed. And that is just what I think FC Dallas should try to do. I don't think it will mean the season was a failure if they don't, but at this point, that is the goal that can challenge them to maximize their potential.

My two cents. What do you think? Comments and feedback are always appreciated.

FC Dallas moves Jacobson - what next?

NOTE - make sure to keep an eye on The Red Book for my latest on FC Dallas and MLS.

Andrew Jacobson has been traded to NYCFC by FC Dallas. This is a business, and sometimes business happens. Glad to see the way FC Dallas is thanking him on the way out. His response on Twitter makes it look like everyone is happy, which makes sense.

This raises all kinds of questions, though. I am working on this for MLSSoccer.com, and will certainly share the story if one develops. (Update - Here is the story.)

Is this just finally dealing with the fact that the team has too many holding midfielders, something that clearly was a help at times, but as everyone other than Thomas is getting healthy, you still have four guys for two positions (Michel, Ulloa, Moffat, Jacobson).

Or is it something else - Back to Thomas - as he was placed is expected to be on the MLS version of injured reserve, and now the move of AJ, you have room on the roster and in the salary cap. (Edit - Thomas placed on Season Ending Injury List on July 30.) Same for the sale of Richard Sanchez - to be completed when Chris Seitz returns. Including the sale money for him - which because he is a homegrown, more of it will stay with Dallas. Up to three spots on the roster, and a good amount of salary cap room.

The biggest question then is - room for what?

Unless there was a restructuring, or some other move is on the horizon, Dallas has all three DP slots filled.

So that means, barring a larger move that would require other changes, Dallas is trying to add a non-DP level player or players.

With recent injuries to Hedges and Escobar - although not knowing the details (severity, length of absence if any) - there are a variety of options. (Looks like Hedges should be ok, and they will give Escobar a run out during Wednesday's practice.)

Depth or upgrade at central defense?

Depth behind Diaz?

Depth or upgrade at wing or forward?

Or is there something bigger at work? Currently, Dallas is pretty high on the allocation chart... That could mean either a move directly to Dallas or Dallas could leverage the position to get something in return in case someone is trying to add an allocation level player.

Recent players to come through Dallas for various reasons that seemed innocuous at the time - Honda and Shea?

Other US players who maybe are wanting to come back to the US from abroad?

It will be fun to see how this all plays out.

Mark Followill (@MFollowill) tweeted that Jacobson will join Bob Bradley in Europe on loan until NYCFC starts its pre-season.

Drew Epperly (@wvhooligan) brought up a good point - is part of the deal keeping NYCFC from taking a player from Dallas in next year's expansion draft?

Dallas at Vancouver - random notes

The cliche is about a glass and whether it is half full or half empty. Well, as everyone knows, the answer is both - it is just from a certain point of view.

Dallas tied Vancouver today, 2-2. Let's touch on a few points, shall we?

Half full

Vancouver didn't gain ground on Dallas

Dallas came back from being down 1-0 to be up, 2-1

Dallas got a road point

Dallas did so without JeVaughn Watson, Fabian Castillo and Andres Escobar

Blas Perez showed some real veteran savvy with his goal (if he keeps it - there was some thought that Loyd might have scored originally, but that doesn't change his cool control and placement)

The lead-in to that goal was quality all around - from Hernandez to Michel to Loyd to Perez

Michel to take penalties has to build confidence

Raul Fernandez made some massive saves

No card issues

Half empty

Hedges' status?

Escobar's status?

Dallas gave up a lead

Dallas was not really able to hold the ball much, especially in the second half

There were long stretches where the team looked vulnerable in the middle of the field

Overall

Not ideal because they had the lead at half, but both penalties were more mistakes by the defense rather than pressure from the attack, so in a way, fair is fair?

This team is so beat up, injury wise, that any injury is a concern until proven otherwise, and for a player like Hedges, that is scary. On the other hand, this team has gone a number of games now without a red card, and frustrating as it might be to have to mention that as a positive, it is in fact a clear positive.

At the end of the day, in this stretch of games, if FC Dallas wins at home most of the time and doesn't lose to the teams it is fighting with for playoff positioning (Vancouver, Colorado, Real Salt Lake, Los Angeles), then it has to be considered progress. So today is progress.