This week's edition of Morning Clippings looks back at the best stories this feature has highlighted since its inception in July of 2011. From the rise of Brek Shea to the loss of Bobby Rhine, there was no shortage of unforgettable storylines in the 2011 season for FC Dallas.
Volume 1:
Sunday, July 24: FC Dallas’ Brek Shea more than a soccer player (WFAA-TV)
Midfielder Brek Shea got the week started off right with this feature from venerable local sports anchor George Riba. Riba’s profile, which aired on Dale Hansen’s Sports Special, focused on Shea’s first career selection to the MLS All-Star game, as well as his artisitic pursuits off the field.
Watch Brek Shea’s WFAA news feature
Volume 5: Saturday, August 27: Clark Hunt carries on father’s legacy (Kansas City Star)
This fascinating profile of FC Dallas and Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt takes a look into his well-regarded stature among NFL owners, and the vital role he played in negotiating the new collective bargaining agreement. Hunt also discusses his strong desire to win championships, as well as his close relationship with his father Lamar, FC Dallas patriarch and soccer visionary.
Read the Kansas City Star feature
Volume 6: September 6: Spanning the Twitterverse (Wide World of Tworts)
The social media space is the lifeblood of avid U.S. soccer fans, and so it was no surprise that Bobby Rhine’s sudden passing spread like wildfire via Twitter, with notable MLS players, broadcasters, coaches and fans expressing their sadness. This article captures many of the Tweets from the day that Rhine’s passing was made public, including condolences from Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl, ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, the LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and many, many more.
Read the response from the Twitterverse
Volume 7: Tuesday, September 13: Richard Sanchez cover story (ESPN RISE)
FC Dallas and U-17 FIFA World Cup Champion goalkeeper Richard Sanchez was recently featured as the cover story for ESPN High School Magazine’s coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month. Accompanied by a video feature, the Matthew Remsberg piece focuses on Sanchez’s journey from a 10-year-old playing in an ODP tournament in Ensenada in Baja, California to becoming the top goalkeeper for the U-17 FIFA World Cup Champions. Sanchez also discusses the stereotypes which exist between his two countries – the U.S. and Mexico – his admiration for FC Dallas and the pride he feels for being the first American-born player to win a FIFA men’s tournament.
Read the story by ESPN RISE
Volume 8: Wednesday, September 21: FC Dallas in CCL Action (ESPN)
ESPN.com columnist Jeff Carlisle spoke to FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman following training on Monday, Sept 19 to discuss the toll the CONCACAF Champions League is taking on the defending Western Conference Champions. The piece follows discussions on Red Bull’s Rafa Marquez, Chicago’s Domic Oduro and Salt Lake’s Javier Morales and focuses on Dallas’ historic win over Pumas on Mexican soil. Hyndman goes on to talk about Andrew Jacobson’s hamstring situation, reigning MLS MVP David Ferreira and the likelihood of seeing some fresh faces on the pitch for FC Dallas.
Read the ESPN article here.
Volume 9: Thursday, September 29: Alexi Lalas votes Brek Shea for MVP (Mirrorfootball.co.uk)
In this piece, ESPN soccer analyst Alexi Lalas discusses the MLS MVP race. He states that Brek Shea currently sits atop his list of candidates. Lalas gives credit to Shea for scoring goals in 10 different games, all in the run of play, unlike many other highly regarded candidates. He also recognizes that Shea has been the leading contributor on a playoff-bound team, despite the loss of 2010 MVP David Ferreira.
Read Alexi Lalas's thoughts
Volume 10: Wednesday, October 5: Dallas: If you play there, you better be prepared to win (AOL Sporting News)
The DFW Metroplex, or as writer Bob Hille calls it, “Metroflex,” was selected as the Best Sports City of the year, which spans from Summer 2010 to Summer 2011. All of DFW’s championship-caliber teams receive mentions, and Hille warns “don’t sleep on MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas and MVP David Ferreira.”
Read the Sporting News article
Volume 11: Friday, October 14: MLS' top goalkeepers are... (Soccer America)
With only a few games remaining in the 2011 season, Soccer America rates FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman as the top keeper in MLS. The 37-year old keeper sits atop the league in GAA (1.09) and shutouts (12) among goalkeepers who have played at least 2,000 minutes. Kasey Keller of Seattle and Faryd Mondrago round out the top-3 heading into the final two weeks of the season.
Read the Soccer America article
Volume 12: Thursday, October 20: SMU students kick it with FC Dallas CEO (The Daily Campus)
FC Dallas President & CEO Doug Quinn understands the work that goes into running a professional soccer club. And as a graduate of SMU in 1985, he understands how difficult the path from college to the professional sports world can be. Quinn took the time last week to discuss his career journey with students in the Applied Physiology and Sport Management (APSM) program at SMU.
Read the Daily Campus article
Volume 13: Friday, October 28: Why FC Dallas faded down stretch, in playoffs (Dallas Morning News)
Though the season was cut short in the MLS playoffs, it was a historic season for FC Dallas. The team competed in 48 games, including the U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League. Steve Hunt of the Dallas Morning News breaks down the team's demanding season, searching for answers for the team's late season struggles.
Read the Dallas Morning News article
Volume 14: Friday, November 4: Shea to train with Arsenal (ESPNSoccernet)
FC Dallas star Brek Shea will head to Arsenal to train with the Gunners during the MLS offseason in order to stay in top shape for U.S. international friendlies. USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann encouraged MLS-based players that are in the USMNT picture to train overseas to stay fit for international duty. FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman is excited for the chance that Shea will have to improve his game and challenge himself against the best in the world.
Read the ESPNSoccernet article
Volume 15: Saturday, November 12: Despite struggles, legendary coaches see Shea as future star (Sporting News)
Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger has already spoken about Shea’s potential and how training with Arsenal could be extremely beneficial to him, and now legendary French coach Laurent Blanc is impressed with the youngster’s abilities as well. Shea is one of three finalists for the MLS MVP and will play for the USMNT again against Slovenia.
Read the Sporting News article
Volume 16: 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
Volume 17: Monday, December 5: Student Teacher (PonyFans.com)
Daniel Hernandez signed a unique contract with FC Dallas last week that will allow him to play for a year before transitioning to the coaching staff. The former SMU star has learned a lot about coaching under former SMU coach Schellas Hyndman. Hyndman believes that Hernandez will have a bright future as a coach.
Read the PonyFans.com article.
Volume 18: Monday, December 12: Still early days in MLS offseason (SI.com)
With the start of preseason less than a month away, SportsIllustrated.com’s Steve Davis takes a moment to reflect on which MLS teams are making the right moves so far this offseason, and which teams still have a lot of work to do. He places FC Dallas ahead of the curve.