Kenny Cooper last scored for FC Dallas a month ago. It was on April 19 when the big striker netted two for FCD in a 3-2 win against Toronto FC, the club's only victory to date. Since then, Cooper has seen his scoring opportunities limited by tight marking and often physical play.
However, the fourth-year professional isn't worried.
"I'm just going to make sure I stay positive and make sure I work hard throughout the week," Cooper said. "I know the goals will start to come."
In 2008, he finished second in MLS with 18 goals and his numbers after nine games from that season (five goals, one assist) are nearly identical to those from this campaign (four goals). His accuracy is also similar. After nine games, Cooper has taken 34 shots with 19 being on goal (58 percent) while a year ago, he had 28 shots and 14 on frame (50 percent).
Last year, FCD got five goals from Jeff Cunningham and another five from Dominic Oduro. Cunningham has struggled thus far in 2009 and is now sidelined by a hip injury while Oduro was traded to New York in the offseason in the deal that brought Dave van den Bergh to FCD.
That leaves Cooper to shoulder even more of the offensive load for his side, something FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman is well aware of.
"I think he's always had the demeanor of always trying hard, working hard and trying to do the right thing," Hyndman said. "He's got a great work ethic. Last year, everything he shot was on goal and a lot of them went in. Strikers hit slumps like everyone else, but I think the opportunities are there. We're creating the opportunities and he's working hard."
The FCD boss felt that playing the equally rangy Brek Shea alongside Cooper in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC benefited the Dallas native.
"I thought Brek Shea helped by having another player up there who is a big player and can take some attention (away from Cooper)," Hyndman said. "I think the one thing that can help Kenny is a little bit is if he will hang out in the penalty box a little more instead of going wide because he doesn't get as many chances when he does that."
Cooper enjoyed playing alongside Shea for the first time.
"Brek has a lot of great qualities and I thought he did very well when he came on," he said. "One of the good things about Brek is that he works so hard. He's a hard worker and an aggressive player. He really puts in the time and the effort. He's always one of the last guys in after training because he's putting that extra work in. I thought he was really active and made some great contributions to the team."
Another statistic of note with Cooper is that he already has two yellow cards this season, giving him six for his career. In 2006, his first year in MLS, he was booked three times, something that can be chalked up to him getting acclimated to the league. He had no yellow cards in 2007 and just one a year ago.
With FCD lacking another proven scorer alongside Cooper, opposing teams have focused almost exclusively on shutting him down. This has often manifested itself in more physical play, an approach that has often frustrated the big forward.
"Absolutely, there are moments where he's double-teamed," Hyndman said. "He's got to get rid of the ball and then get the ball back. He's got to get himself into dangerous positions more often and we've got to get him more chances. He's just got to get more chances to hit shots. The frustration is there. I think the yellow cards came through frustration over people beating on him and trying to manhandle him."
Cooper admits he hasn't really noticed teams being more physical.
"I'm not sure (if that's the case)," he said. "In the last couple of games, we have gone against teams that have great work rates. I think that you might expect physical play at times from teams like that, but I don't know if it's any different than before."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com
