Opposite View: Three questions with Brian Wachholz of Big D Soccer

tBG) FC Dallas was a strong team last year, and there wasn't a whole lot of turnover going into this season. Will that hurt or help as FCD sets out to win a very competitive Western Conference?

BDS) It will definitely help the team tremendously. As we've seen with recent champions like LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, etc. the MLS Cup Champion is often earned by a team with a solid core of veterans and youth who were built up over time. Championship teams have amazing chemistry and communication, things that take time to gel. The small amount of turnover was by design. Chris Seitz returns in goal with familiar backline players like Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd, JeVaughn Watson, and Moises Hernandez. Atiba Harris and Dan Kennedy, 2 players who were previously familiar with FC Dallas, joined the team over the offseason. On the other end of the field, Blas Perez returns along with a strong stable of forwards and wingers to form a cohesive attacking force on the backs of hard working midfielders such as Michel, Mauro Diaz, and Victor Ulloa. FC Dallas has a formidable core, and the winter only served to strengthen it with a few pieces. I expect this roster philosophy to continue for the next couple of seasons, at least.

tBG) Can you talk a little bit about the goalkeeping situation? Most of us in Philadelphia remember Chris Seitz' 2010 campaign with the Union that was riddled with gaffes and were confident he'd be unseated as the number one by ex-Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

BDS) Chris Seitz has grown and improved greatly since his days at Philadelphia. I don't think any goalkeeper is happy with being #2, but from what I've heard, Seitz took advantage of working with Kevin Hartman, a veteran GK holding many MLS records. Over that time, Chris filled in as needed and then took a big step after Hartman retired. He was able to go toe-to-toe with newcomer Raul Fernandez the past couple of years, aptly subbing in when Raul was called away to Peru National Team duty. Seitz could be #1 on other MLS teams again, but Oscar Pareja really values the competition at every spot. Dan Kennedy was in DC for the last couple weeks of preseason working with the MLSPA on CBA negotiations. I believe this gave Seitz the advantage to start the season, and his performances thus far have kept him in that spot. I think Dan will play when he unseats Chris in training, if Chris has a bad game, or when Oscar believes it will be strategically advantageous to do so.

tBG) FC Dallas has seen some lean years, but really seemed to turn it around last year. To what do you attribute that to, and is it something that seems sustainable?

BDS) Two words: Oscar Pareja. "Papi" as he is known, has served FC Dallas since 1998 as player, assistant coach, academy director, and now as head coach. His familiarity with the players and staff gave him a running start that no other new coach could have matched. As a part of this club for so many years, his fingerprints are all over signings like Fabian Castillo and academy players like Victor Ulloa. This team was primed for Oscar long before he took the job, and he is not holding anything back now that he is here. FC Dallas invested heavily in the academy system, but former head coach Schellas Hyndman wouldn't play home grown signings. Oscar takes a different approach. If you are on this roster, you are expected to play and contribute to the team when called upon. If you can't compete, you won't languish in a high numbered roster spot - you will be cut.

Specifically with regards to Castillo, Oscar was instrumental in him signing for FC Dallas. Both are from Colombia, with Oscar having been on the national team during his playing career. Castillo stayed with Oscar when he first arrived, cushioning the culture shock and language gap as Castillo adjusting to his new surroundings in North Texas. Oscar is the key to unlocking Castillo's potential.

Projected lineup: Chris Seitz, Atiba Harris, Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd, Moises Hernandez, Michel, Victor Ulloa, Mauro Diaz, Tesho Akindele, Blas Perez, Fabian Castillo

It's possible that we see Ryan Hollingshead for Akindele. I haven't heard anything from training, but I think Seitz keeps his spot for one more week. We may see Kennedy's debut against Seattle at home next week.

Projected scoreline: I think some early season confidence trips Dallas up on their first away game, but their talent is enough to salvage a 1-1 draw against the Union. FCD faces a big conference match up next week against Seattle, and Perez will leave to join the Panama National Team. This team is vulnerable if their minds drift too much into next week and aren't focused 100% on Philadelphia on Friday.