Who's on the list?: The Sequel

Here's the starting lineup from tonight's 4-1 FC Dallas drubbing of Club Atlas of Mexico.

48 - Dario Sala (GK)
3 - Greg Vanney
4 - Chris Gbandi
6 - Ronnie O'Brien
12 - Arturo Alvarez
13 - Dax McCarty
14 - Drew Moor
17 - Simo Valakari
19 - Bobby Rhine
20 - Carlos Ruiz
33 - Kenny Cooper

Roberto Mina came on for Kenny Cooper and Ramon Nunez for Dax McCarty.

Not bad at all. Can't wait for 3 more days.

Who's on the list?

Some clues as to what we can expect at least one of the opposing teams' roster to look like for the Saturn Cup Challenge reside in FCD's line-up against Mexico's Club Atlas this Wednesday, March 22nd, when the Hoops take on the Foxes in an exhibition game at Pizza Hut Park.

Buzz at 3rddegree.net has intimated that the roster we see in that game will probably be the same as the OKC game and the opening day game on April 1st kicking off the MLS season.

I hope this is true as well as hope that the Kansas City Wizards follow suit and play their opening day roster in kind.

Too often in pre-season exhibitions we only get to see the bench warmers, second teamers, and fringe players fighting and clawing for roster spots and never any of the money players. Of course this is logical strategy on the part of the clubs as they don't want any unnecessary injuries to befall their best and brightest. But it would still be nice to possibly see Ruiz and O'Brien, et al. for FCD and Johnson, Wolff, and Conrad, et al. for KC.

I feel pretty good about it.

So legit it's got a sponsor

This coming Saturday, March 25th, FC Dallas will be taking on the Kansas City Wizards in their final pre-season tune-up in the inaugural Saturn Challenge Cup - Oklahoma City to be played at the intimidating confines of Moore HS Stadium in the OKC suburb to the south on I-35. More info and ticketing go to http://www.oklahomachallengecup.com

I'm excited about the game if for no other reason that it's always nice not to have to drive 3 hours to go see an MLS game. My hope is that since this is the final match before the start of the MLS season that we'll get to see some starters like Ruiz for FCD and Johnson and Wolff for KC play. I'm not holding my breath but I'll try to find out what the rosters and likely starters will be of both teams for the game.

I'm also excited for this game because my wife and I will be taking our niece and nephew (3 and 4 years old respectively) to their first ever soccer, let alone MLS, game. We plan on hitting the pre-game festival that will be going on starting at 1pm and then the game. Should have a blast.

On a side note I went by the stadium yesterday and the field is in pristine condition and should be excellent for both teams to play on. The grounds crew has done a fantastic job with it.