When will it happen?

A question that is continually asked by the fans is: When will Colmán score? In press conferences they analyze Colmán, in the locker room they talk about Colmán contributing to the team, but in the fan section, the question is always the same and it is not a secret. The expectation is for players to continue to execute and even more as key players leave once again to their national team duties. Now, every time I hear Colmán's question, I respond with just one question: have you analyzed Maxi Uruti or Michael Barrios? Yes, as Uruti says every time I ask him a question. We all talk about the highs but tend to forget about the lows, especially in a club were fans are accustomed to a winning team. A team who is currently defending two titles, the U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters Shield, a team who we are used to seeing win at home. 

Let's take a look back

We all know Maxi Uruti leads the team with nine goals this season but before he became the top scorer for the team, he had a drought of goals. The Argentine could not find the back of the net for quite some time. Scoring three goals in his first four games, the expectations for Maxi were high but after facing D.C. United on March 26, 2016 the critics quickly returned since we would not see Urruti score again until late July. Regardless of the critics, someone who did not give up on Maxi was head coach Oscar Pareja. "I always say I am grateful for the opportunity that Oscar gave me and now I'm happy that I am able to score more,"  Urruti said.
To what might be a surprise, the day Maxi scored he was not a starter. Regardless of the stats he knew he would have to show results which took three months to accomplish, the commentators called it the “1,000 minute drought.” On June 29, 2016 that drought would come to an end as Maxi stayed calm and composed with a goal in extra time. It was the 96th minute when Maxi broke into the box on the right side before his deflected shot sneaked inside the near post. "It was on this field, I remember it was last year a well fought-out match and I was not a starter, I was in the bench. I was subbed in extra time and I was able to convert the victory goal," Urruti said. Looking now exactly one year ahead of that goal, Urruti is happy with his work and analyzes that period of being scoreless to reiterate all the good that comes with a very united team. "I knew that I was doing my job right. I did not make many goals but my teammates did. I think it is fundamental that the group is united and knows that whoever has the opportunity to score, scores.” 
Now it is only Week 18 of the MLS season and he has already scored the same amount of goals as last season. Pareja says he's happy with Maxi's results and what he brings to the team. "His generosity, the tactical work that Maxi does for the team is inspiring and if we add that he can score a goal then he is a very complete player. So we are very, very happy with the work that Maxi is doing.”

Better yet, let’s focus on this year

Another player we've seen growing on assists is Michael Barrios. Last year he had a total of two assists throughout the 2016 season. "It is a very uncomfortable position to be in, one feels a lot of pressure, the main thing that one must have is the tranquility and know that the streak of not scoring goals happens to everyone," Barrios said. Now let's start to analyze the season of 2017, Mikey leads the table with a total of seven assists, everything is possible when the team is focused, communicates, and is united. "A primary goal of the team is to be an offensive team that produces volume on offense and that we can create goal options," Oscar Pareja said. That mentality is something that comes across in practice to each of the players. "I practice in the best way possible, day by day and I know that the goal moment is going to arrive sooner or later. On the other end when it comes to assist I am happy because it is not easy to put seven assists in a season so we work day by day to get to know my teammates,” commented Barrios.
We must remember that Rome was not built in a day and that these players have had to adapt to injuries, players who are going on national team duty and sometimes must adapt to a new culture. "The truth is that I feel confident but the reality sometimes is another. I always look and look for opportunities and it is something that the technical staff helps me with," Colman said. Pareja has seen the talent that Colman brings, the talent that he showcases every day in practice. The strike of not scoring a goal is part of the process, "they always tell me that this is a drought but to keep working, working hard in practice and doing what the coach asks me to do continuously,” Colman said.
Now if we focus on the question: When will Colmán score? The answer is obvious, nobody knows, but you have to remember players like Maxi and Mikey. Sometimes we are so focused on expectations and results that we forget what this club actually represents. FC Dallas represents with homegrowns. FC Dallas represents players who were in the same position a year ago and now are bringing results to the team. A united team that is not selfish and works together to achieve results. A team that has had to balance veterans and rookies. A team that always says “busca la forma/look for the way“ so the next time they ask when Colmán will score. I invite you to analyze the achievements in players who were in the same position a year ago.