Since the forecast on Wednesday was for rain and thunderstorms in the late morning I took my raincoat to practice... so of course, it didn't rain a drop and I was stuck carrying around a raincoat for no reason all day.

Despite the fact it wasn't too hot, Wednesday was a shorter session than is normal for midweek. Given the shortened roster and mid-season grind that's not too surprising.

Training today was about options in the starting XI. It seems clear Coach Luchi Gonzalez hasn't made up his mind yet on who's going to play this weekend, particularly in midfield.

News and Notes

Just a reminder: Paxton Pomykal, Edwin Cerrillo, and Brandon Servania remain at the U20 World Cup. Carlos Gruezo and Bryan Acosta have left for Copa America and the Gold Cup respectively. Pablo Aranguiz is with Chile U23s at the Toulon Tournament.

Santiago Mosquera is still out with his knee injury. He's walking around now, so a couple more weeks maybe.

Cristian Colman is outside today doing rehab work. While I watch, I can see him doing lateral strength work and some light cutting. He's nowhere near close to returning to my eye. So much of the next phase for him will be mental.

A photo Jesse Gonzalez posted to his Instagram account on Monday, June 3rd, about his visit to the doctor for his ankle. (Instagram account / Jesse Gonzalez)

Jesus Ferreira has a calf contusion - a.k.a. a Charlie Horse. He did some warm-ups today but was held out of later drills. Coach Gonzalez says they are giving him some rest but he will be available to play this weekend.

Jesse Gonzalez is missing today to rest the lingering ankle issue that is giving him some discomfort. He did play on it last weekend though.

John Nelson also is out today with something he picked up. Coach Gonzalez said it's not a big issue but didn't get specific. So stay tuned on him as well.

Reto Ziegler looks good to go. He's missed two games now with adductor tightness. Back before he missed I thought he was looking a little tired, a little less mobile. We now know what the issue was. But today he's moving well, looks ready to go to me and just on the eye test I would expect him to be available vs San Jose. Of course, I'm not a trainer and as of yesterday he was still on the MLS injury report - which I doubt has been updated by FCD.

Moises Hernadez is still on loan to San Antonio FC and Dante Sealy is still on loan to North Texas.

Six North Texas SC players joined FCD for their session: Ricardo Pepi, David Rodriguez, Arturo Rodriguez, Alfusainey Jatta, Dante Sealy, and Imanol Almaguer. Imanol is actually a u19 and not signed to NTX but I think he's with them most of the time.

It's amazing that FCD needed to borrow 6 players to play 11 v 11. I honestly think this is the fewest number of first-team players I've ever seen available for training. Even post-season sessions have more bodies.

Coach Gonzalez mentioned what we already knew, that FCD can basically use anyone from North Texas they want in the US Open Cup game. Since he brought it up, I'm now sure a couple of players will make the jump.

Training Observations

A general comment on injuries and guys missing a training day here or there... This is the mid-season grind. Sometimes days and/or games off are important... or perhaps a shorter session than normal like today. This is why we talk about young pros learning to take care of their bodies and such. The season wears on players. That's not the same as being injured.

For example, North Texas started 30-minute before FCD today as usual, but when FCD finished the NTX players they had borrowed were cleared to go back and finish with NTX who weren't done yet. Like I said, short session for FCD. High energy, yes, but short.

There were a LOT of rotations in training today across every tier of the team - forward, midfield, and defense - not just the midfield as one might expect. It seems quite clear coach Gonzalez is still making up his mind about who is going to start this weekend. Coach was rotating sets about every 5 to 10 minutes and pushed the pace of the drills. Many different combos all over the XI.

Nice to see both Ema Twumasi and Francis Atuahene both back up to speed. They both did some nice things in training. From what I've witnessed the last couple sessions I've seen, Twumasi is in legit consideration for the midfield this weekend. Atuahene maybe isn't in first 11 competition after returning from injury, but he's going to be on the bench this weekend. Both players could factor against San Jose.

Reggie Cannon looked sharp today. I think his game off did him well. I really like what I see from him today.

Based on training, two of the options in midfield - other than the obvious Thomas Roberts and Jacori Hayes, as well as the man I just mentioned, Twumasi - are apparently Ryan Hollingshead and Bressan. From what I saw today, Bressan brings some serious grit and tenacity to the 6-position. Hollingshead would be a smoother, more possession type presence. John Nelson could also be a factor having played some 6 in college.

FC Dallas Players Available Against San Jose

Here's the list of the players FC Dallas will have available in San Jose - in alphabetical order. As you will see, just enough for an 18 man roster with one extra keeper. Since MLS teams travel 19, for a just-in-case-body, all 19 should be in San Jose - baring some injury development, good or bad, in the next few days.

1. Francis Atuahene

2. Dom Badji

3. Michael Barrios

4. Bressan

5. Reggie Cannon

6. Jesus Ferreira

7. Jesse Gonzalez

8. Jacori Hayes

9. Matt Hedges

10. Ryan Hollingshead

11. Jimmy Maurer

12. Callum Montgomery

13. John Nelson

14. Zdenek Ondrasek

15. Bryan Reynolds

16. Thomas Roberts

17. Ema Twumasi

18. Reto Ziegler

Catching Up with Luchi Gonzalez

19. Kyle Zobeck

Being so shorthanded, and technically having two open roster spots, did you guys consider going out and getting someone now?

We're aware of the transfer window and we've got some ideas in terms of a potential piece for July. That's certainly in the conversations. There's been no final decisions and there's been no exact name but we have to [look]. We have to be responsible and at least test what the options can be. But we've got some ideas potentially for July.

How about North Texas, did you considering bringing up someone for just this week?

Oh, absolutely. We thought about that a month ago. The challenge is, it's not so easy. You don't just play an MLS game overnight. You have to be signed to an MLS contract.

That's where we have to be very clear on the plan. Be in touch with a kid, a young man, a family, an agent - to take that next step.

Those are certainly things we are looking at. That's why the second team is there. To put us in that position, to bring from within, to get opportunities from within, and we're looking at some options there. Some possibilities there. By July.