Steve Davis: How Dallas can take the next step in 2023

FRISCO, Texas – Last year, Dallas surpassed all expectations in their rookie season under Spanish coach Nico Estevez. It’s easy to gauge the team’s chances of holding steady at the conferences this year, as long as the burden of additional expectations doesn’t fall too heavily on the young group.

Since FCD finished 3rd in the West last season, holding the pitch means finishing somewhere in that tight group of 3rd to 6th.

Can Estevez’s men get better? Can they move a little higher, perhaps breaking the ceiling and threatening to take first place in the 14-team Western Conference? This is a major initiative for Estevez for 2023, who is struggling with any sign of contentment after a meteoric rise last year.

Simply put, FCD can indeed progress, but I’d say it depends on three things:

1. Further improvement from “young”;

2. Adding a few goals without detracting from last year’s defensive stability, and;

3. Potentially improving the team’s central defensive triangle.

We will start by improving from the inside, which basically means further growth of the young core of FCD. Start with Jesus Ferreira. On the one hand, it’s almost absurd to demand “improvement” from a guy who broke the club’s record last year by scoring (18) or assisting (6) half of the team’s goals. Half! And he does this while also claiming the title of the best young player in MLS. Then again…

There is a sense that Ferreira, now 22 years old and coming to the end of an eventful off-season, has a lot to discover. His numbers have dropped slightly in the last half of the season and he could certainly increase that number of goals if FCD opens more penalties. (Last year, Dallas attempted to become a one-PK minor leaguer.)

Paxton Pomykal was superb last year, ranking somewhere between “above average” and “elite” among MLS midfielders on most advanced metrics (progressive passing, tackles, pressure, touches in the box, etc.). put a cherry on the cake; in fact, he never scored. Last year, Pomykal deservedly returned to the stage of the US team. He will likely stay there if he can add 3-5 for the FCD in 2023.

Marko Farfan was last year’s elite left back who also scored five goals (one goal, four assists). Can he make some more accurate crosses and maybe score another goal or two? If so, he’s sure to find his place in the MLS top five left-back conversations. He’s a smart guy and a hard worker, and at 24, there’s every reason to believe he can pull it off.

Maarten Paes, 24, probably should have been talking more about “the best MLS goaltender” last year, especially when it comes to stopping a shot, the very foundation of a goaltender. Prediction: It will be this year, now that the Dutchman is better known in MLS circles. This is especially true if he can add a little more in terms of vocal presence and penalty area control.

Finally, there is reason to believe that winger Alan Velasco can improve his productivity (over 6 goals and 7 assists in 23 starts last year) and show even more moments of dynamic creativity in the second round of MLS.

As for the other two elements of potential team improvement, they are interrelated. Last year’s 37 goals conceded, the best record in the West, is partly due to the tactical structure. Estevez arranged for his team to be on the lookout whenever the ball was lost. That is: some positional arrangement of the command V ownership was really about being in optimal locations when ownership was Lost.

Why is that? Partly due to FCD having poor defensive transitions in the previous 2021 season. Partly because centre-backs, while experienced, organized and generally good at defending the penalty area, were not the elite in space defense. So they needed a bit more protection from the midfielders and wingers in front of them, especially in those crucial transitional moments in defence.

To get a few more points in attack, FCD might have to defend a little less, take a little less risk in midfield. This only happens if the main defensive triangle – two centre-backs and a defensive midfielder – is solid as a rock.

In 2023, there may be opportunities to strengthen these positions. Of course, it will take someone special, especially one to replace FCD defense legend Matt Hedges. But if a DP-level centre-back or defensive midfielder becomes available at the right price, this is where a team already blessed with high-profile strikers and capable attacking depth can really take a step forward in 2023.