FRISCO -- I don't know about you, but when I think about FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids, the first thing that comes to mind is MLS Cup 2010. I know, not exactly the best of memories for FC Dallas fans; but when I first heard that the Rapids would be coming to Frisco on Opening Day (BUY TICKETS!), the one storyline that really struck me was how radically different these rosters are now compared to the ones that took the field in Toronto in what was arguably the most important match in the history of these two MLS Originals.
<img alt="" height="77" src="//dallas-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/FCD-shield200x164.jpg" width="93"> |
<h1>
MLS Cup<br>
2010</h1> |
<img alt="" src="//dallas-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/colorado_150_1.png" style="width: 68px; height: 100px;"> |
<strong>Kevin Hartman:</strong> The veteran 'keeper remained with FCD through the 2012 season, but was unable to come to terms on a new deal with the club over the offseason and hasn't been picked up by another club. |
Goalkeeper |
<strong>Matt Pickens:</strong> Pickens is still the number one option in goal for Colorado, but after picking up a preseason injury he may miss the season opener. |
<strong>Jair Benitez: </strong>Now an MLS veteran, the Colombian has remained FCD's first choice at left back over the last two seasons.<br><strong>Ugo Ihemelu:</strong> Still with the club, the imposing center back missed much of last season with concussion issues and his 2013 outlook remains undetermined.<br><strong>George John:</strong> After dealing with multiple transfer rumors over the last two seasons, FCD was able to lock down John to a new contract over the offseason, making Dallas his home for the foreseeable future.<br><strong>Jackson:</strong> The human Swiss Army Knife, Jackson has played pretty much every position but goalkeeper in his time with FC Dallas, but he's produced his best moments as a winger. |
Defenders |
<strong>Kosuke Kimura:</strong> The Japanese defender remained with the Rapids through July of last season when he was traded to the Portland Timbers. Portland traded Kimura to the New York Red Bulls this offseason.<br><strong>Drew Moor: </strong>The Dallas-native has been a stalwart in the Rapids backline ever since he was traded to Colorado in 2009.<br><strong>Anthony Wallace:</strong> Another former FCD player, Wallace is still with Colorado, but has only played 10 matches over the last two seasons due to injuries.<br><strong>Marvell Wynne:</strong> Wynne has also proven to be a consistent starter for Colorado, making 28 starts in each of the last two seasons with the Rapids. |
<strong>Daniel Hernandez: </strong>The former FCD captain retired from the game this offseason with an eye on a coaching role, but parted ways with the club shortly thereafter.<br><strong>Dax McCarty:</strong> The Ginger Ninja was left off FCD's Protected List days after MLS Cup 2010, picked up by expansion Portland, traded to D.C. United and has since found a home with the Red Bulls, signing an extension with New York this offseason.<br><strong>Marvin Chavez:</strong> The speedy Honduran spent one more season in Dallas before being traded to San Jose ahead of the 2012 season.<br><strong>Brek Shea:</strong> Shea enjoyed a break out year in 2011 before struggling to replicate his form due to injuries, suspensions and international play in 2012. The promising young winger secured a transfer to EPL side Stoke City this offseason and recently made his debut across the pond.<br><strong>David Ferreira:</strong> "El Torito" suffered a season-ending injury early in 2011and another during the 2012 preseason that pushed his return back to last July. Ferreira was back to his old self when he got back out on the field, scoring two goals and dishing out nine assists through 17 games. |
Midfielders |
<strong>Jeff Larentowicz:</strong> Larentowicz started more than 30 matches each of the last two seasons for the Rapids before being surprisingly traded to the Chicago Fire over the offseason.<br><strong>Pablo Mastroeni:</strong> Mastroeni is still the captain of the Colorado Rapids today, despite the fact that the veteran midfielder played in only two matches in 2012 due to injury.<br><strong>Brian Mullan:</strong> Mullan is another player who is still with the Rapids today, although now the long time midfielder is being considered as an option at left back.<br><strong>Jamie Smith:</strong> Smith is another member of the Cup-winning team who's still in Colorado, although he's struggled with injuries over the last two seasons. The Scotland-native only made 20 appearances for the Rapids in 2011 and just 10 in 2012. |
<strong>Atiba Harris:</strong> Like McCarty, Harris was left off FCD's Protected List and picked up by expansion Vancouver, where he battled injuries over the last two seasons before being traded in the offseason to FCD's 2013 Home Opener opponent, the Colorado Rapids. |
Forwards |
<strong>Omar Cummings:</strong> The Jamaican forward remained with Colorado for the last two seasons, playing 26 games in 2011 and 28 in 2012. But Cummings' production steadily declined over that period and he was traded to the Houston Dynamo over the offseason.<br><strong>Conor Casey:</strong> Casey also remained with the Rapids through the last two seasons, but an Achilles tear in 2011 limited the striker to just 32 appearances in two years' time. Colorado left him open to the Re-Entry Draft this offseason and he was picked up and signed by Philadelphia. |
<strong>Zach Loyd:</strong> After a stellar rookie season in 2010, Loyd has established himself as a regular in the FC Dallas Starting XI in the right back position.<br><strong>Jeff Cunningham:</strong> JC9 spent 2011 with the Columbus Crew after his time in Dallas came to an end. He then played for Guatemala's Comunicaciones in 2012 and currently plies his trade for the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions.<br><strong>Eric Avila: </strong>Avila struggled to establish himself as a regular starter with FCD and was traded to Toronto FC in 2011. TFC didn't pick up the young midfielder's contract at the end of last season and he was picked up by Colorado in the Re-Entry Draft before being traded to the new-look Chivas USA. |
Substitutes |
<strong>Wells Thompson:</strong> Thompson remained with the Rapids through September of 2012, making 48 more appearances for the team before being traded to the Chicago Fire in September of last year. The midfielder made four appearances for the Fire before the end of the 2012 season.<br><strong>Julien Baudet:</strong> MLS Cup 2010 was Baudet's last league appearance before being traded to Seattle that offseason. But Baudet chose to return to his native France and has remained there with amateur side Grenoble Foot 38.<br><strong>Macoumba Kandji:</strong> Kandji remained with Colorado through the end of the 2011 season before being traded to the Houston Dynamo where he made 29 appearances in 2012. The big forward is now employed by Kalloni FC of the Greek second division. |
<strong>Schellas Hyndman:</strong> Hyndman remains in charge of FC Dallas today after taking the reigns in Frisco midway through the 2008 season. This Saturday the gaffer will coach his fifth season opener with the club. |
Coach |
<strong>Gary Smith:</strong> Smith continued to lead the Rapids through the end of the 2011 season before parting ways with the club. He now coaches Stevenage FC of League One, the third tier of English Football. |
Since that meeting in 2010 even more history has built up between the clubs. Smith's predecessor as coach of the Rapids, Fernando Clavijo, is now FC Dallas' Techinical Director. And the man selected to replace Smith as head coach in Colorado was none other than FC Dallas/Dallas Burn icon Oscar Pareja.
Additionally, both teams have renewed strike forces coming into the 2013 season. Colorado acquired former FC Dallas man Atiba Harris from the Vancouver Whitecaps and former LA Galaxy striker Edson Buddle - although Buddle likely won't be healthy in time for Saturday's game. And of course FC Dallas landed French forward Eric Hassli from Toronto FC and brought back local hero Kenny Cooper in a trade with the New York Red Bulls. Of course, those are just a handful of numerous additions both teams have made this offseason in attempts to create a team that can return to the heights they reached in 2010 - and for FC Dallas, take that final step of winning the first MLS Cup in franchise history. The journey begins this Saturday night at FC Dallas Stadium.
