THE BASICS: FC Dallas

Western Conference

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FC Dallas are a club still seeking their first MLS Cup, a clear target for 2015. The team came close in 2010 after 15 years of uneven play, but fell to Colorado in the final. Despite having boasted plenty of talent over the years, FCD are still looking for major silverware to put in the cabinet alongside their lone US Open Cup title in 1997. Current head coach Oscar Pareja brought a fresh philosophy to Dallas, leading them to the semifinal round of the playoffs last year in his first season at the helm. With Pareja in charge and the rise of young stars like Fabian Castillo and Matt Hedges, considerable optimism abounds.

Rivals

The most obvious rivalry for Dallas is, of course, the Texas Derby – the in-state clash with the Houston Dynamo. Dallas took the series 2-0 last season, but the teams will play three times this year, eliminating a chance of an undesirable series draw. Dallas have a rivalry with the Chicago Fire dating back to Dallas' days as the Burn, though that has waned. The Brimstone Cup will be decided in one game this season, on August 2.

2014 Recap

Dallas had to weather plenty of storms in 2014 to achieve success. The club suffered injuries to prominent players such as Mauro Diaz and Blas Perez, but still managed a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference despite going winless for more than a month early in the season. After defeating Vancouver in the playoffs and taking eventual champ Seattle to the brink of elimination, Dallas finished with one of the most efficient offenses in MLS, recording the fourth-most goals (55) on the third-fewest shots (386).

TRANSACTIONS IN: M Alex Zendejas (Homegrown)

G Dan Kennedy (Dispersal Draft)

M Atiba Harris (Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)

D Otis Earle (SuperDraft)

M Kyle Bekker (trade from Toronto)

M Michael Barrios (free) TRANSACTIONS OUT: D Jair Benitez (option declined)

D Walter Cabrera (option declined)

M Andres Escobar (option declined)

GK Raul Fernandez (option declined)

M Peter Luccin (option declined)

M Adam Moffat (option declined)

M Hendry Thomas (option declined)

F Jonathan Top (option declined)

D Nick Walker (option declined)

D George John (Expansion Draft to NYCFC)

D/M Je-Vaughn Watson (out of contract)

M Brian Span (waived)

2015 Prospectus

With a bulk of young talent and a versatile bench, FC Dallas are poised to break through in 2015. Dallas lost goalkeeper Raul Fernandez, but they picked up a potential upgrade in savvy veteran Dan Kennedy from the dispersed Chivas USA. Dallas also lost winger Andres Escobar, but the acquisition of Colombian winger Michael Barrios in addition to the growth of Ryan Hollingshead and 2014 Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele should more than fill the void. The backline lacks depth, but Pareja has plenty of versatile players who will allow him to use multiple formations throughout the season to keep teams guessing.

CLUB SOURCE: "It was pretty impressive the turnaround they had and how Oscar was able to put his stamp on the team. They're a dynamic team with good team speed and they're dangerous on the dribble. They scare me more going forward than how they defend."

CLUB SOURCE: "Oscar has done a great job building that academy in Dallas. Even though it hasn't paid out for them yet, I think that it will. What Dallas has right that I think some other clubs could emulate... they have unity of purpose throughout the organization."

PROJECTED LINEUP: 4-4-2 Kennedy; Harris, Loyd, Hedges, Hernandez; Diaz, Michel, Ulloa, Castillo; Perez; Akindele Complete roster [fcdallas.com]

FANTASY SOCCER SLEEPER PICKS: Walker Zimmerman

Victor Ulloa

Ryan Hollingshead FC Dallas are a known commodity now, which means you get what you're willing to pay for. Fabian Castillo is the most exciting young player in the league, but he's hot and cold in Fantasy. Mauro Diaz, same story but with more injuries. Here's hoping Walker Zimmerman earns a starting spot at $5.5m.

Armchair Analyst's Best Case Scenario

FC Dallas were the best team in the league early last year when everybody was healthy. FC Dallas will be the best team in the league this year if everybody is healthy.

The best case scenario, then, is this: everybody stays healthy. That includes the lamentably fragile duo of Diaz and Zimmerman, whose game-in, game-out presence elevates FCD from "playoff contenders" to "Supporters' Shield contenders and postseason match-up nightmare." Go ahead and ask the Sounders if they wanted those Western Conference semis from last November to extend another 10 or 15 minutes.

With a full lineup, Dallas dominate you from the run of play and murder you dead on set pieces. Dead. A team like that is built to win a trophy. In a best-case scenario, feel free to make that plural.