Beckham debuts at Pizza Hut Park
FC Dallas host LA in charity match for the FC Dallas Foundation
"There are always distractions when Mr. Beckham is involved," FCD head coach Steve Morrow said. "But like I've said, we're focused on what we need to do within the team. If you ask any of the players, it doesn't really affect them at all. Once they get out there, they don't really care who they play against. We can let things from off the field distract what we're trying to do."
Morrow's players agree that this isn't your average preseason game. But that isn't because of Beckham making an appearance. It's for an entirely different reason -- it's the next-to-last tune-up for the Hoops in advance of the March 30 season opener against Chivas USA.
"First of all, I don't think any of us are looking at this as a preseason game," said FCD defender Drew Moor. "It's a big game for us. Beckham coming into town makes it extra special but we're looking to build on a match like this and the one next weekend to get the season started. We're all excited to start the season."
FCD striker Kenny Cooper agrees. "This will be a great test for us," he said. "It's our first game against MLS competition so far this year. We're all looking forward to it. We've had a great preseason up until now and have gotten a lot of games in. We're getting close to opening day, so this is an important game."
Morrow and his team are also looking forward to hosting their first home preseason match against an MLS opponent and in front of a full home crowd.
"That's great," he said. "I wanted to try and get a few home games in before our opening game of the season to get the guys used to the surface here and to playing in front of the home crowd. I'm really pleased that we've got this week and next week as two big home games to prepare for the start of the season."
While it shapes up to be a key preseason test for the Hoops, they could be without several key components. One will be midfielder Juan Toja, an MLS All-Star in 2007, who is recovering from a left knee injury and will not play.
"His knee is good," Morrow said. "He did a little bit more again today but I don't think he'll be ready to play tomorrow. He needs to get a good full week of training in before we can see if he's ready to play in a game. Hopefully, we can get him some minutes in next Saturday's game."
Defender Duilio Davino is probable after suffering an injury during the club's 11-day trip to Brazil.
"He's getting stronger every day," Morrow said of Davino. "He's desperate to play and to get 90 minutes. We'll see how he is tomorrow. If there's no reaction to what he did today, then he'll be good to go. I would call him probable."
However, one player who could start on Saturday is Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha. He just received his P-1 visa and flew back to Dallas from Brazil early Friday morning.
"We had a light session today and will send him home early today to get plenty of sleep and rest," Morrow said. "He should be ready to go tomorrow. He's desperate to play."
And Morrow has clearly been impressed with the performance of veteran goalkeeper Dario Sala thus far in preseason and has given him the starting nod against the Galaxy.
"Dario (Sala) has been great," he said. "He is clear and away winning the battle to be the starting goalkeeper at the moment. He's done very well in the last few games, has worked hard in training and is in tremendous shape right now physically and mentally. He'll be starting."
Saturday's match will not only mark Beckham's debut at Pizza Hut Park but it will also mark the first game for ex-FCD striker Carlos Ruiz since he was traded to the Galaxy in January.
"It's a good test for us," Morrow said. "They've got a lot of offensive players and we know we'll have to keep an eye on them. We'll talk about the threats that they're able to pose. We know Carlos (Ruiz) and Landon (Donovan) well after playing against them for years. We'll be well prepared when the time comes."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
