FRISCO, Texas – Landon Donovan is coming to Dallas for potentially the last time (depending on playoffs), and he's bringing with him an LA Galaxy side in scintillating form -- 8-0-2 in their last 10 matches.
FC Dallas, meanwhile, are only 2-0-4 in their last six matches, so it would be nice to have a few reinforcements in the squad to help them get a result in their massive, nationally televised game on Sunday (7 pm ET, ESPN2),
Which is why Dallas are monitoring Fabian Castillo, who has returned from a hamstring injury suffered against Vancouver on Sept. 13, and Mauro Diaz, who has returned from a leg injury suffered against the Galaxy on Sept. 20. FCD's technical staff are also keeping an eye on international matches being played by Raul Fernandez (Peru), Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica) and Blas Perez (Panama).
“I work with the guys who are here,” said head coach Oscar Pareja. “Tomorrow will be another day. We will see who is there and we will train them and Saturday we will see who is there and we will play them.”
The injury to Castillo has deprived FC Dallas of their most dangerous player from the summer, when he was scoring goals and notching assists at a rate that put him in possible consideration for team and league MVP.
“He is ready,” Pareja said. “I think he can [go 90 minutes]. He is looking good.”
Diaz has been injured more than he has been available this season after suffering a knee injury against D.C. United in April. He returned for a time in July but has been plagued with nagging injuries since. In an attempt to refresh him not only physically, but also mentally, FC Dallas arranged for the midfielder to return to his native Argentina last week to see family and also train with rehabilitation specialists that FC Dallas personnel have relationships with.
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“Mauro got back and we have him and we will progress on him every day,” Pareja said, without giving an indication on whether Diaz might play this weekend.
The international matches, though, might have a larger toll as all three players with their national teams have been key contributors for FCD throughout much of the season. Pareja said he wasn’t certain whether any of them will be available to return for FCD’s Sunday match.
The injuries and absences this season have given the team a chance to develop their roster depth, an asset the team will need in a key matchup Sunday.
