WASHINGTON -- Saturday's visit by FC Dallas is being treated as a must-win game for D.C. United, who are keen to make the most of their first and last league match at RFK Stadium in the month of September as a draining, two-part road trip beckons next week.
With new boss Schellas Hyndman's makeover in full swing, the Hoops remain a side in transition and their recent lineups have had an experimental air as the longtime SMU coach searches for the right mix. While United continues to battle through an injury epidemic and FCD's own playoff prospects remain very much alive, they've gone more than a month without a league win.
The Black-and-Red believe that with a strong performance, the full three points are there for the taking.
"It's difficult with them. They have some injuries too, they have some guys out also," said D.C. assistant coach Chad Ashton this week. "I think since the new coach has come in you haven't really seen a consistent lineup with them. They've changed at least a few guys every game and they just recently acquired [Jeff] Cunningham now, so they're finding their way a little bit right now."
Since his arrival in June, Hyndman has challenged his charges to take up a new style of play and prove themselves as worthy cogs in his system. Even putting aside the club's hunt for one of the Western Conference's final playoff spots, that reality gives everyone wearing Hoops plenty to prove on match day, as their United counterparts are quick to recognize.
"We have to get three points this weekend," said Santino Quaranta. "It's tough when you get a coaching change in the middle of the year and the situations that they've been through haven't been the best lately. But again, any game you play in this league is going to be difficult because they're fighting for their jobs and everybody wants to do well."
The well-traveled Cunningham, whose 101 career goals place him three spots behind D.C. captain Jaime Moreno on the league's all-time scoring chart, represents a proven goal threat, though strike partner Kenny Cooper's strength and skill might pose even bigger problems for the United defense.
But the makeup of the midfield behind them has been a work in progress -- a state of affairs familiar to the Black-and-Red lately, who tried out a 4-5-1 shape against San Jose last week due to a shortage of forwards but seem likely to return to a 4-4-2 look with Moreno's return from international duty.
Playmaker Marcelo Gallardo finally returned to the starting lineup against the Earthquakes, though he has yet to reach top form since undergoing dual sports hernia surgery earlier in the summer and this week a bout with illness offered yet another setback for the Argentinean. His coaches and teammates recognize the quality he offers and are eager for Gallardo to attain full match fitness at this pivotal point in the season.
"It's good for the team and if we can get him back at 100 percent that would be great, because he's an excellent player," said goalkeeper Louis Crayton. "Obviously him being present [makes] a lot of difference."
Desperate to improve their depth as the onset of CONCACAF Champions League play looms, D.C. finalized the signing of loanees Thabiso Khumalo, Greg Janicki and Ibrahim Koroma on Friday. But the most urgent concern is the speedy, smooth return of Gallardo and fellow South Americans Fred and Luciano Emilio from injury. So while Dallas' tactics and personnel may represent a bit of a wild card for United, the focus is aimed inward.
"We've scouted [FC Dallas] and we try and prepare for any kind of scenario they can throw at us," said Ashton. "[But] for us right now it's probably more important to concencrate on us, control ourselves, what we're going to come out with, what our mentality is going to be. And hopefully come out with a lot of energy at home and get three points."
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