FRISCO - The team is back in Dallas and back to work on Monday night preparing for Wedesday’s Open Cup match, but let’s dive into a couple Mailbag questions before we turn the page on the match against Portland:
“Is it possible to see Aaron Guillen as the starting left back with the impressive performances?” - Pablo
Pablo, I think until Walker Zimmerman returns, we’ll see lots from Aaron Guillen on the left flank. Maynor Figueroa is Oscar’s third choice at center back and with Anibal Chala loaned out for the rest of 2017, the Homegrown is likely in line for some more time on the left, and for good reason. Guillen has continued to grow with each start this season and consistent minutes can only help the second year player. We could also see Ryan Hollingshead occupy that spot, but I think Guillen has the upper hand in the depth chart there.
“How is Pomykal feeling now that he's back from injury? Any update?” - Chase Tripp
Paxton has been back to full training for a week now after recovering from a slightly torn meniscus and I think we could see him play, if not start, for this Wednesday’s match against Tulsa at SMU. He’s definitely back in the fold for Oscar Pareja and staff, even if in a somewhat limited capacity minutes-wise.
“What about Christian Colman? Have we seen enough from him?” - Lizeth Ramirez
There’s a lot of chatter about Colman’s lack of goal scoring in MLS play and he help himself too much with two missed chances after subbing on in Portland, but I was reminded this week of a player who just two years ago was struggling in his inaugural MLS campaign until a start in U.S. Open Cup play saw a two-goal performance and the start of a run over the final half of the season with seven goals and two assists. That player was Michael Barrios.
It’s a much larger weight for Colman to bare given what the club paid in transfer money this offseason, but a solid performance this week could be, and hopefully will be, the jumpstart the striker needs over the second half.
