FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper technically isn't a rookie, so he isn't eligible for the MLS Rookie of the Year award. And the league doesn't have a Newcomer of the Year award, but if it did, the Dallas native would likely win it hands down.
No player added to the Hoops roster before or during this season has made a bigger impact than Cooper, who has 11 goals, second-most on FCD, and four assists. Six of Cooper's tallies have been game-winners and the Hoops are 10-0-1 when the lanky Dallas product finds the back of the net. He is clearly glad to have found a home in Big D.
"I wanted to come into this team and make a positive contribution by playing week in and week out," Cooper said. "I'm enjoying it and the opportunity to play. (FCD head coach) Colin (Clarke) and (assistant coach) Steve (Morrow) have given me that opportunity. I'm really enjoying it and hope that can continue."
Clarke admits that he and his staff knew Cooper would be a great addition, but they had no idea he would make such a huge impact immediately.
"We always knew he was a good player," Clarke said. "Steve had been over to England to watch him and I had also seen him a few times. When he became available, we knew we had to get him. With him being from Dallas, he was a natural fit.
"He's come in and his enthusiasm is non-stop and is like a big kid in a candy store. He loves being here and coming to work every day. He works hard, doesn't know when to stop running, is very fit and a good finisher," Clarke added. "He's exceeded expectations. To have double digits in goals as a young kid is impressive. He's done great and he's only going to get better."
One thing that has helped Cooper is learning from the veterans on the team.
"I've picked up a lot from Carlos (Ruiz)," he said. "There are a lot of good players on this team and just training with them every day has helped me. We have all-stars in Richard (Mulrooney) and Ronnie (O'Brien) and Carlos -- his stats speak for himself. There is so much to learn from them all every day."
Cooper came to FCD after a two-year stint with Manchester United of the English Premier League. His experiences with Man United have definitely helped him during his first season in MLS.
"It was definitely an incredible experience," Cooper said. "There was so much to learn and they integrated us well with the first team. Whether it was in the gym, cafeteria or anywhere, we were constantly around them. You see their professionalism, the way they act and learn from them. I hope I can apply that to the rest of my career."
Clarke has noticed a number of differences in Cooper from when he arrived in Dallas to the player he sees now.
"He's a little bit more aware of players around him," Clarke said. "He's better at keeping things simple, keeping the ball, keeping possession, running off the ball and finishing."
With FCD having clinched the top spot in the Western Conference with their 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday in Frisco, a game in which Cooper scored the winner, he and the rest of the Hoops are turning their attention toward the MLS Cup Playoffs, where they will have home-field advantage.
The 2006 MLS Cup will also be held on their home field of Pizza Hut Park on Nov. 12 and FCD plan on being there. Cooper is clearly anxious about playing in his first MLS postseason.
"We have a positive mentality here," he said. "We have high expectations and a lot of ambition. Since the preseason, our goal has been playing in MLS Cup and winning it. Obviously, we have to get there first and we know that."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
