FRISCO - In the last two months, FC Dallas has ascended to the top of the Western Conference and amassed one of the stoutest defenses in MLS, but they’ve done so in a very unlikely fashion.
Either by international call-up, injury or otherwise, in the last 12 matches across all competitions, Dallas has used nine different back line formations. They’ve had 23 man-matches lost from their standard back four in that span.
“It's really unbelievable how solid our defense has been with the number of absences we've had, the amount of injuries we've had and just throwing together different back lines almost every weekend - especially for the last little stretch of games that we've had - and coming out with great results,” Ryan Hollingshead said. “I think it's a testament to this team and a testament to the staff here that every guy is prepared and ready to step in whenever they need to and we really don't miss a beat whenever we do that.”
This weekend against Vancouver, we’ll likely see a tenth combo - this time because of suspension. While Matt Hedges is set to return from international duty, Hernan Grana and Maynor Figueroa are both unavailable on Saturday due to yellow card accumulation.
“The versatility helps tremendously,” said Atiba Harris, who has played in each of the four spots along the back line during the stretch. “Going forward it's really going to help us because you never know when injuries might happen, suspensions - these things happen and it's good to have guys, with MLS limited roster spots, it's good to have guys who can fill in at different positions.”
Yet again, it’ll be depth by committee - something Oscar Pareja says is ingrained in every facet of the club.
“We have created a culture - and it's not a cliche, it's a reality. There is no one in this group that is more important than the unit, than the whole group itself,” he said. “This club and this team is a group. We are good because the others make us better. There is not one player here that can say, 'Hey, you know what? I'm the man here’…the group is not going to suffer much when the absences come that are difficult to deal with in a league that has challenges. This is fantastic for the club. I'm proud to preach that, I'm proud to be part of that and I'm proud to see it over and over.”
One of the biggest additions to the back line has be the re-addition of Hollingshead, receiving his first run of starts over the last five matches since fracturing three vertebrae in his neck in January. With each passing week, he’s getting back to full fitness and benefiting from the ever-growing confidence playing time brings.
“So much of returning from injury is trying to get that match fitness back and there's only so much you can replicate in practice and only so far you can go,” the attacking-minded outside back said. “The first couple games, I had the desire to [get forward], but not necessarily the legs or the ability with my fitness to do it and so I'd have to rest more defensively, just because I need to be in shape and in position rather than resting going forward. I had to just take times off, take moments off where in my head I'm thinking, 'This is the perfect time to go, I need to go, I need go,' but wasn't able to because of my legs.”
Although the fourth-year veteran still says he’s not at 100 percent fitness, Hollingshead will be called upon yet again this weekend, coming off his best performance of the year with four shots and setting up Dallas’ second goal forcing a turnover in the midfield.
Opposite him, though, could be the debut of a youngster patiently waiting in the wings. Homegrown Reggie Cannon has started two U.S. Open Cup matches in his rookie year, but his MLS debut could come with right back mainstay Grana out.
“It's another opportunity. Oscar may call on anyone to fill that position and if it's me, then I'll do the best I can and hopefully I can help get the three points,” the 19-year-old said. “You just always have to be ready for your chance, and if it's mine this week, then I'll take it.”