Major League Soccer announced a change in the regular season schedule and postseason format that will surely affect FC Dallas. This week’s edition of Morning Clippings features FCD helping a teen cancer patient cross off an item on his ‘bucket list,’ Schellas Hyndman talking about the 2011 season on TXA 21, and Gordon Jago retiring as executive director of Dallas Cup.
Read last week’s edition of Morning Clippings
Tuesday, November 15: Teen Cancer Patients ‘Bucket list’ Comes to Life (WFAA)
Oscar Gomez, a 17-year-old Irving student, is crossing items off his ‘bucket list’ that he has compiled for an essay assignment. Gomez has terminal bone cancer and since his original story about his ‘bucket list’ aired last week, his dreams are coming true. Gomez, a soccer player, attended a closed FC Dallas practice and the players horsed around with him as if he was part of the team. Gomez also met Tony Romo, flew in a World War II B-17 bomber, and drove a Daytona Viper at MotorSport Ranch.
Watch the WFAA video here
Tuesday, November 15: Player Ratings U.S. vs. Slovenia (Sports Illustrated)
Sports Illustrated writer Steve Davis rated the U.S. side in the most recent international friendly against Slovenia. The U.S. jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half and held off a frantic Slovenian attack to preserve the lead and get the 3-2 win. Brek Shea came on in the second half to help stabilize the left side and retain possession.
Read the SI article
Tuesday, November 15: Schellas Hyndman on TXA 21 (TXA 21)
FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman was interviewed on TXA 21's The Fan about the 2011 season. Hyndman talks about the large amount of games FC Dallas played this season, Brek Shea training with Arsenal FC in England, and Kevin Hartman’s outstanding year in goal.
Watch the TXA 21 video
Tuesday, November 15: Gordon Jago to retire as Dallas Cup executive director (Dallas Morning News)
Gordon Jago, 79, will step down as the executive director of Dallas Cup on January 1, 2012. Jago cited the time consuming nature of the job as a primary reason for his retirement.
Read the Dallas Morning News article
Sunday, November 20: MLS makes major changes to playoff format and scheduling starting in 2012 (Soccer by Ives)
MLS announced changes to the regular season schedule and postseason formatting hours before the MLS Cup on Sunday. Now, the top five teams in each conference will make the playoffs, with the four and five seeds playing a one game play-in. Both conference's semifinals and finals will be two-leg series instead of just a single game for the finals. Also, a 34-game unbalanced schedule will effect FCD's rivalries with Houston and Chicago, as FCD will only play each Eastern Conference team once a year.
Read the Soccer by Ives article
