While the weather was worse today; overcast, still windy and, cold (50 degrees) with threatening rain; the training was much more fun to watch as it wasn't a recovery day like yesterday.

As we continue to learn how FCD's new head coach Luchi Gonzalez runs things in training, one early trend has emerged - he likes to mix it up personnel wise. Gonzalez has referenced this as "keeping everyone on their toes" which I might paraphrase as keeping everyone from getting complacent.

How that represents in training is that, quite frequently, like today, there is no clear and obvious first team or first eleven. Everyone on the roster was mixed in together with no discernable "starting" combinations or groups.

This kind of training keeps everyone thinking they have a shot to start the next game (Wednesday in this case) and it keeps everyone tuned in and believing they have a chance. "This might be the week I'm in."

In a normal week, this might build toward a more clear starting set by Friday perhaps. Today it made for a lively session. High energy, good action, and quick play.

Being overcast and windy it was also quite cold, for us Texans anyway, and that may have helped keep things spirited as well.

Today's training emphasis was on mid-block defending which is when the team is holding a good shape and solid lines, often near midfield, and forcing the opposition to break them down. This is the opposite, in a way, of pressure defense (high or otherwise). As most modern pro coaches seem to, Coach Gonzalez likes to be able to swap between the two, sitting in mid-block and then pouncing in a press if the time is right.

All of which is just one small aspect of how the team will play this season.

Notes and Observations

New FC Dallas Technical Director Andre Zanotta watches training. (2-18-19) (Buzz Carrick / 3rd Degree)

New FC Dallas Technical Director Andre Zanotta has been here in Tucson all week, presumably he's getting to know all the players both personally and their play.





The team did some work in the gym/weight room before coming outside, then ran some more warm-up, stretches, and rondos.





Then the drills, as I mentioned above, where about moving and shifting as a group in the team's mid-block defensive shape. Keeping the right rotations and knowing when to defend and where. This teaching was then applied to a 30-minute scrimmage.





I really, really like where Santiago Mosquera is at. He's looking really good and really positive with the ball. Not only his usual cutting inside but also developing some get to the end game. I'm quite excited about how he might do this season under Coach Gonzalez.





I did spot one training combo I liked seeing, Matt Hedges was paired a bit with rookie Callum Montgomery today. That's a teaching situation, an instructional pairing if you will. Good stuff.





Marquinhos Pedroso looks better every day, it's remarkable how far he's come in just a couple weeks. Without being a trainer I will say it's probably both a combination of his physical and mental recovery. When your mind is used to certain motions being painful, it can take a little time for it to accept that same motion won't hurt anymore. I'd put Pedroso at about 95% now.





Speaking of Pedroso, he's in a real battle with Ryan Hollingshead for that left back spot. So far, Hollingshead has been the choice as Pedroso recovers. Now that Pedroso is close, the battle is on. This will be a fun one to watch.





I also was again impressed with rookie John Nelson today. He's still playing both right and left outside back. And don't forget that his versatility was on display, even more, when he played center back in a scrimmage back in Dallas. He's a rare rookie that hasn't struggled with the mental speed of MLS training at all. He's going to have a long MLS career I think.





Reggie Cannon took a little training knock at one point late in the session. He jogged it off some and went inside to get warm. I'm confident it's nothing of concern.





Bryan Acosta seems to be fitting in really well. He looks at home already with the guys in camp. Seems to be enjoying himself.

Jesus Ferreira played some more 9 in training today and Dom Badji took some rotations on the wing. That additional positive versatility from both players is good.





Speaking of Ferreira, he's put on some body mass this winter and from the way he moves, I would guess some core strength too. He looks like a young adult and not a kid anymore. That's super positive for him. I want him to take all of the wing/striker minutes vacated by the Tesho Akindele trade.





We mic'd up @rmhollingshead and he posed a VERY SERIOUS question before training: would you rather fight a shark or a bear? — FC Dallas (@FCDallas) February 18, 2019

Tomorrow

FC Dallas will be back at it training at 11 am. Maybe we'll get a little better idea about who we might see on Wednesday in the scrimmage against Real Salt Lake.