FRISCO, Texas -- With two consecutive wins, FC Dallas now find themselves back in the thick of the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Hoops will look to win a third match in a row for the first time in 2008 when San Jose visits Pizza Hut Park on MLS Primetime Thursday.
On Sunday, FCD dispatched D.C. United 3-0 with goals from Andre Rocha, Jeff Cunningham and Kenny Cooper, the Hoops' first victory in four tries against United in Frisco. One week earlier, they went into Toyota Park and handed the Chicago Fire a 4-1 defeat to capture the Brimstone Cup for the seventh consecutive season.
"I think we are coming to the point where we are really strong in our game," said FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala. "In the last two games, we have scored seven goals and gave up only one. So, we have a lot of confidence to get the three points against San Jose on Thursday."
San Jose, on the other hand, heads into the contest off a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake, a setback that ended a nine-game unbeaten streak. The Quakes last won on the road on June 7, when they prevailed 2-0 against Columbus at Crew Stadium. Since then, San Jose is 0-2-4 on the road.
As has been the story since both were added to the Quakes roster, Arturo Alvarez, acquired in a trade with FCD, and Darren Huckerby, continue to have big impacts for the Bay Area side. Alvarez has registered a goal or assist in the last four games while Huckerby is San Jose's leading scorer with six goals and four assists in only nine games.
It's a tandem that FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman is well aware of.
"They obviously have done well of late of getting their strike force in place," Hyndman said. "Everybody is on the same page. They play an open 4-4-2 where they get the balls from the flanks. You've got Ronnie O'Brien on one flank and then you got, (Darren) Huckerby on the other flank.
"Our defense has really done a good job and they will really be under pressure," Hyndman continued. "This is a huge game for us as it is for them. But we're at home. I wish we would have had a little more rest time."
For Sala, the game shapes up to be a scintillating battle between two of the hotter teams in the West.
"They (San Jose) have come on strong in the last part of the season but so have we," he said. "So, I think these two teams have played the best soccer in the conference over the last month. It's going to be a good match. We desperately need the three points. We're a very organized team right now and we don't give up many goals.
"In the offense, we are creating our chances and scoring on the counterattack," Sala continued. "I think it's important that we get the first goal. When we score first, we know what to do with them in the counterattack. San Jose is a good team but they don't have the weapons that we have."
One player every member of the FCD starting 11 will have to keep an eye on is Alvarez, who was traded to the Quakes earlier this year after spending five seasons in hoops.
"He's on fire right now because he has scored in a couple of games," Sala said. "We know what he can do on the field. He's a really skillful player and really talented. We're going to take care of him, don't worry."
When Alvarez was traded, Hyndman said it was the best decision for both FCD and Alvarez. And the FCD coach admits it has brought a smile to his face to see the former FCD man perform well -- as long as it doesn't come at his former team's expense.
"It really does ... I'm glad he's doing well but I also don't want him to do well at our expense," Hyndman said. "When he was traded, this was the game he was looking at and saying it will be good to have a chance to go back. So, I would expect nothing but the best. We want the best for him as well but we don't want it to be a direct point steal from us."
The FCD backline will look a bit different as veteran center back and captain Duilio Davino looks to be ready to return to the starting 11. The Mexican international had missed seven matches with a toe injury before returning for the final 22 minutes of Sunday's win against D.C. United.
"Arturo has helped them a lot," Davino said. "But at this moment, it comes down more to what we're doing and how we're doing things. We're passing through a good time right now after two good games. Obviously, being at home, we need to continue having the mentality of picking up points and going ahead."
FCD midfielder Andre Rocha, who has a goal and two assists in his side's last two games, sat out of training on Monday with what Hyndman called a slight groin strain. However, the Brazilian who leads FCD with eight assists returned to practice on Wednesday with no issue.
Hoops aim to protect turf vs. United
Canobbio: I Need Confidence
