Brazilian suffered hamstring pull soon after joining FC Dallas.
FC Dallas fans can expect to see recently signed Erick Neres da Cruz take to the field against LA Galaxy on Sunday evening at FC Dallas Stadium, according to MLSsoccer.
Erick has recovered from a hamstring pull sustained shortly after joining Dallas at the beginning of July, but is unlikely to start Sunday’s match. FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman is looking forward to introducing the former Portuguese second-division player, but has said he will not rush the process.
“I think he’s 100 percent ready [physically], but he’s a little bit raw,” Hyndman told reporters Thursday. “It’s a bit of a risk for us to throw him out there without seeing him play, but we want to dress him out so that we can have him available.”
“He’s a player that’s very aggressive, so he needs to understand the refereeing, the league, how things work…the last thing we want to do is start him and he gets a red card.”
For his part, Erick says that he is fully fit and enjoying life in Dallas. He confidently explained that his strengths on the field are his marking, his aggressive style and his ball winning. He also says he’s very comfortable staying back while his teammates push forward.
“Back when I played in Portugal, I played in a [4-4-2] diamond,” Erick relayed through an interpreter. “I played with two people [in the central midfield] where I had more of the defensive role between two guys where one would transition and step up and the other would give him cover. I’m already comfortable with that from my previous team.”
Having Erick available to cover the back four will allow Hyndman to play his preferred formation. The Dallas coach has made no secret all season of his desire to play in a diamond-shaped 4-4-2, but after veteran holding midfielder Peter Luccin went down in preseason, they have had a hard time filling the defensive midfield responsibilities with type that formation requires.
COMMENTS