Three Questions +1 with Big D Soccer : Soft Schedule, Predictable, Hungry

Slump, skid, slide definitely describe what is happening for both the Montreal Impact and FC Dallas. Alfredo Cuvianswers three questions +1 so we can better know about a team that the Impact only faces once. The derby of the '' Slumpy Teams'' is starting and you can read our answers to Big D Soccer questions right here.

Sofiane: What could have been a battle between the best teams in MLS not so long ago is now a derby of slumping teams. Did you feel that FC Dallas was peaking too soon? Was this an unspoken subject throughout the season?

Alfredo :

We all felt that Dallas benefitted enormously from a soft schedule to start the season, and it definitely wasn't upspoken. We all saw issues in our team as early as the first game, issues that would later come back to haunt our boys if they didn't clear it up.

Well, they haven't cleared up anything. The lack of tactical acumen and adjustments, coupled with recurring injuries to key players, is starting to take its toll. We don't think FCD peaked too early, as the form they had before was consistent and not the result of excessive luck. However, we do think that other teams have figured out how to adjust to Dallas, and fans are questinooing if Schellas is planning on changing the way Dallas aproaches second halves. Miraculous comebacks aside, Dallas has been a poor second half team. Guts and gusto only take you so far, and luckily for us fans the team has that in spades. The problem is that it takes more than willpower to win.

They can turn it around, but it will take some health and altered coaching.

Sofiane: The Montreal Impact have shown defensive liabilites as a unit in the last month or so. The midfield seems to be a weakened area in its defensive duties. Can FC Dallas take advantage of that slump? Could we see another Colorado Rapids situation at Stade Saputo

Alfredo:

For some reason, Dallas hasn't been able to hit the broad side of a barn the past few games. If you watch them play, they create incredibly dangerous chances that should be put away, but for whatever reason, they aren't. The last game was a bizarre situation where our own players blocked shots or otherwise denied our own team goals. Other times it was poor finishing.

The attack is troublesome because of a lack of goals, but not because of a lack of chances created. If Dallas can finish their chances, we could see a few goals go FCD's way.

Sofiane: Do you feel that Mauro Diaz is the key to take FC Dallas to the next level? Which Dallas player are not talking enough about? Which Dallas player are we talking about too much?

Alfredo :

Mauro Diaz will help a bit, and can help fill in for David Ferreira, Jackson or Fabian Castillo, but at this point in time none of us are expecting him to be a game changer. If he turns out that way it would be great, but even David had some time adjusting to the league when he first arrived.

The player most people aren't talking enough about is George John. People think of Dallas slumping and come up with all sorts of (many times incorrect) reasons, but I think the issue that is contributing most to this run of form is the absence of our Grecian Hero in the back. MLS teams, due to a league-wide depth issue, usually have one or two players they just cannot do without, and for FCD it's John.

He is the finest arrow in Apollo's quiver, the answer to our prayers, the bane of the River Styx, and the man we all wished we could be. He is a paragon of defense and if there was still a Pantheon, he would be added to it under the name "God of Defense".

He really is that important.

Sofiane : Who are we people talking too much about? No one. FC Dallas is the best team ever, and no one can be discussed excessively.

Alfredo :

Except for Ferreira. There's more to the team than him, despite his greatness.