For FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper, facing the club's Brimstone Cup rivals, the Chicago Fire, is special.
Nearly three years ago, Cooper made his MLS debut on April 1, 2006 against the Fire. The Dallas native entered the match in the 65th minute and five minutes later, netted the game-winner of a 3-2 win. Cooper has played the Men in Red four times since and has scored three times, including two more game-winners.
"It is special," Cooper said. "Chicago has always been a good team since I've been in the league and I'm sure they'll be good again this year. I look back and it's a fun memory to think that my first game in MLS was against them. I came off the bench and was fortunate enough to score. Hopefully we can get a win on them this weekend. We'll certainly work hard this week and hopefully be prepared."
Cooper signed with FCD on Feb. 6, 2006 following a four-year stay at Manchester United, where he played for their reserve team. He has 33 goals and nine assists to show for his first three MLS seasons. Those totals include a 2007 campaign where he played in just 14 games after suffering a broken leg in June of that year.
"It's gone by fast," he said. "It's a little crazy that I'm about to start my fourth year. It's been great for me to be back here (where I grew up). I've been fortunate in the last three years that my coaches have shown faith in me. That's something that I look back on and am very appreciative of. I just feel like I've been able to develop a lot by being at this club and being in Dallas. It's been a very enjoyable three years."
FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman, who recruited Cooper to play for him at SMU and was a spectator for Cooper's league debut, is glad to have him in the fold.
"He probably would have started (his pro career) earlier if he didn't go to Man U or Europe," Hyndman said. "It's really gone by quickly. I remember when he came (to the league) and I was in the stands watching him score his first MLS goal. I said that guy should have been at SMU. He's really done well for himself. He's come through a bad broken leg, recovers and scores 18 goals. Time has really gone by fast and you can see the maturity and growth in him."
Cooper comes off a season where he netted a career-best 18 goals, earned a spot on the league's Best XI and was also named the comeback player of the year. He credits his 2008 performance to all the lessons he has learned since joining MLS.
"I hope that I'm now able to some of the little things I have learned along the way over the last three years and from my years in England," he said. "I'm going into my fourth year, but I've been a professional since I've been about 18. It's been very educational. I feel like I've learned a lot and have had a lot of great experiences even though I might be only 24. I just hope I'm able to apply all these lessons I've learned and will be a better player because of them."
The lanky striker posted his stout '08 numbers despite FCD lacking quality flank play and players to deliver the ball to consistently deliver the ball to him and strike partner Jeff Cunningham. Considering that the club has added Dave van den Bergh on the left side and Dax McCarty, who led FCD in assists with seven, will be playing on the right, scoring 20 goals in '09 might not be a reach for Cooper.
"I feel a lot of confidence in all my teammates this year," Cooper said. "There's a lot of quality on the team. I thought we played really well against CAP in our last preseason game. Hopefully we will be able to carry that performance forward into our first game with Chicago.
"Schellas and the coaches have made great additions to the squad and kept some great players," he continued. "I'm really excited about this year. I think it's been a great preseason. Along the way, we've gotten a better understanding of each other and of what the coaches are asking of us. I'm sure the coaches have a better understanding of us too. I think it's been a really productive preseason and hopefully, we carry that into the season."
Looking back at his first three years as a professional, Cooper realizes what a great ride it has been.
"The national team experiences are incredible moments," he said. "I just look back on these last three years and it's just been extremely enjoyable with all of the games. I've been fortunate enough to play in a lot of games and gain a lot of experience. I've been fortunate to get some caps with the national team and be part of an all-star game. I feel like I'm so lucky."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
