When FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman sent his first 11 on the field last Sunday afternoon at Chicago and Jeff Cunningham lined up in the midfield, some were a bit surprised since a majority of Cunningham's 105 career tallies came from playing as a forward.
However, in the early stages of his MLS career, when he was playing for Columbus, Cunningham was a fixture out wide for the Crew.
"I've played that position before," he admitted. "My first two seasons, I played that position behind Stern (John) and Brian (McBride). I was forced to play out wide, so I'm familiar with that position. I'm just happy to be on the field again. I'm quite comfortable in that role. Honestly, I don't feel it's any different than playing alongside Kenny (Cooper) other than the conditioning."
Throughout his nearly 12 years in the league, Cunningham has made it a point to find the back of the net early in the season. However, his first-half header in a 3-0 blanking of the Fire last weekend was his first goal of the year and came in FCD's 11th game of 2009. In 2000, when he scored a career-low two goals, it took him 14 games to score his first goal.
If there is one team the veteran scorer has always performed well against, it's definitely Chicago. Last weekend's clincher gives Cunningham 19 career goals at the Fire's expense.
"This last game, it wasn't necessarily the opponent," he said. "It was important for me to come out and have a good showing to hopefully reward the coach's confidence in me. That's what my goal was for that match. This week, I still have to prove myself again. There is a lot of competition for places on the team, so I just have to find a way to be productive and earn my place every week."
Hyndman has liked what Cunningham has given him in his new role.
"It is a different position for sure," he said. "It may be that he's not a 90-minute player, but if we can get a good 60-70 minutes out of him, we'll be very happy. He was in the attacking third probably a lot more than our previous 10 games combined. That helps Kenny (Cooper), helps stretch out the defense and gives our midfielders a chance to get in there as well."
Sunday's performance was exactly what Cunningham needed, especially considering that earlier in the year, he struggled so mightily at striker that Hyndman removed him from the first 11.
"It's difficult when you lose your place in the team," he said. "With my experience in the league, as a professional, I have to remind myself that it's a long season and to keep doing the small things well. The things that I have control over like my approach to practice and preparation for the games, I need to continue to do those well. Those are the only things I have control over. My experience taught me to not get too low, do the small things well and my opportunity will come."
After returning to Frisco on Sunday, Hyndman gave his team all of Monday and much of Tuesday off before they returned to training on Wednesday. Cunningham admits that it was much easier to return to work after such a big win than it was earlier in the year when FCD was struggling.
"The mood is definitely much lighter and the players are a bit more confident," Cunningham said. "It's important for us to not let down. We need to come out this weekend, play like we're on the road and fight for three points."
On Sunday, FCD faces San Jose, another team that Cunningham has fared well against in his career with 10 goals and six assists in 23 games.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com
