FRISCO, Texas -- Last month, FC Dallas traded for veteran left-sided midfielder Dave van den Bergh and in a flash, the Hoops shored up their midfield, improved their flank play and also gained some much-needed veteran leadership for one of the youngest rosters in the league.
In the first two weeks of preseason, it has been apparent what van den Bergh brings to the field and how much better he makes the Hoops. However, an added bonus has been his fluency in Spanish, something that has gone over well on a team with its share of Spanish speakers.
Last week, the seasoned pro was heard engaging in back-and-forth banter with two of the team's more vocal Latin players in midfielder Pablo Ricchetti and goalkeeper Dario Sala, something that amused FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman.
"Last week when I heard Pablo and Dario having a go at Dave, teasing with him in Spanish and he was laughing, I was wondering if he really understood what they were saying or if he was just laughing along with him." Hyndman said. "I asked him if he really understood those guys and he said yes. He said he learned Spanish when he played two years in Madrid.
"He's a very outgoing person, so when he was in Madrid, he loved the experience of being there and spoke the language," Hyndman continued. "I already know that Dario and Pablo would rather speak to him in Spanish than English because they feel more comfortable in Spanish. I think for Dave, it's another thing he brings to us. We knew we were getting a talented player but we also knew we were getting a person of good character. All these extra things coming along are icing on the cake."
Van den Bergh agrees his language skills have definitely been a big asset in getting acclimated to his new teammates.
"You've got a lot of Hispanic players here," he said. "So it's helped me tremendously. Thank God these guys speak very good English. We had some guys coming in at New York that didn't speak any English. Especially in those types of situations, it helps a lot. I'm glad I've got that under my belt."
Consider Ricchetti and Sala impressed that their new teammate can converse with them in their native tongue.
"It's good," Ricchetti said. "It's always good to have people who can communicate with everyone. He played three years in Spain and speaks Spanish very well. For us, it's great and it makes it easier. Those two (Sala and van den Bergh) are old, so I can joke with them. I'm really young but they are old and they have the same thoughts and stuff, but I'm really smart and can understand that."
Sala agreed. "He came into the locker room on the right foot because he's a really easy going guy and language isn't an issue," he said. "He was in Spain for a few years and speaks perfect Spanish. He's funny and understands our jokes. I was surprised. He speaks four languages but I told him that I've got him beat by one."
Ricchetti definitely likes having another veteran in the midfield to help him direct traffic.
"I think he's a great player," he said. "He has experience, is smart and has a great foot. He can help us a lot. Right now, we are the most experienced guys in the middle. We have to talk to the other guys and organize the team. Last year, that was mostly my job. Now I have another guy to help me and that's always good."
The former Dutch international has definitely been impressed with what he has seen thus far with his new side.
"What I've seen is a very talented team," van den Bergh said. "It's unbelievable. There's a reason that there are six Generation adidas (players) and a lot of under-20 guys here. We haven't even talked about Kenny (Cooper) and Drew (Moor) being on the short list for the men's national team. There is a lot of talent here. We just need to come together and make sure we're a team that's competitive and fights to make the playoffs this year."
He has also enjoyed the methodology of Hyndman, who approaches preseason a bit differently than some of the coaches van den Bergh has played for in the past.
"The thing I've enjoyed the most is that all the exercises have been with the ball," he said. "I've had some coaches in preseason where you didn't see a ball for the first two weeks. So that is a huge improvement. He's very clear in what he wants. So it's up to us to execute."
And his rising comfort level includes playing in the 4-4-2 that Hyndman prefers.
"In Holland and in New York, I played in the 4-4-2," van den Bergh said. "So I'm very comfortable with it. It's just a matter of executing what we feel is the right approach in the next couple of tune-up games to find our best shape."
Even though much of FCD is now in camp, he is clearly looking forward to the return of star forward Cooper, currently with the U.S. national team.
"I think it's important (to start working together)," van den Bergh said. "Kenny is the most prolific forward this team has got. So I'm looking forward to practicing with him. It's just important in preseason to get to know each other, learn what the movements are, what somebody likes and doesn't like to learn each other's tendencies. I think it's important to get that done. Hopefully, he'll have a great game against Mexico and score a couple. Then he can get in here with great confidence."
Another plus for him with the Hoops is that he has a couple of big targets up top to deliver balls into Cooper, who is 6-foot-3 and newly-signed striker Sean Bucknor, who is an inch taller at 6-4.
"It's easier (to get the ball in there to a taller guy) than it is with a 5-foot-3 guy," van den Bergh said. "If you're going to put a cross in, you have options to put it on the ground or put it in the air. I know that in the air, they can get to it.
"In previous years, I have had to put it low because I knew there was no chance that my forward was going to get to it. This way, I can put it in low because they're both good with their feet and Jeff (Cunningham) is also good with his feet. He's got great jumping abilities as well. Don't underestimate him in the air. It's good to know that you can put it at any height that you want and they will be able to get to it."
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