Notes and takes from FC Dallas' first preseason match in Spain
A 0-0 draw with Denmark's Odense tells us a few things, including something about Nolan Norris
Nolan Norris is a good soccer player. Just 18 years old, he’s got a bright future – one with a little more clarity now that FCD’s technical staff have settled on a position for him. (Norris came through the academy as a left back; last year FCD experimented with him as a center back or a holding midfielder.)
Last week manager Nico Estévez said Norris will be a midfielder. Indeed that’s where he’s been stationed in preseason contests, including Friday’s match against Danish side Odense, FCD’s first contest during its week-plus in Spain. The game finished 0-0.
Norris looks good in spots. Then again, I’m just not sure he’s ready to be a defensive midfielder at MLS level.
He gave up possession last week to help gift New Mexico its only goal in a friendly at Toyota Stadium. Friday against Odense he conceded possession twice in bad areas while playing alongside Liam Fraser in the team’s 3-4-2-1.
None of this should be seen as a real downer. He’ll be fine. But playing in any central midfield spot means the game is happening around you at 360 degrees. By comparison, the game is generally in front of you as a defender, so this takes some getting used to. Because he didn’t play the position at academy level, the little adjustments in timing, positioning or body shape, or the decisions that happen lickety-split in real time, aren’t yet instinctive. His passing range looks solid, and he already looks physically prepared. He just needs seasoning – specific seasoning at that particular position. A season at North Texas SC with perhaps a few spells of duty with the first team will do a world of good.
Also from Friday:
Tsiki Ntsabeleng had a good afternoon, playing alongside Asier Illarramendi as the dual-6s (two holding midfielders). His ball progression and ability to beat the first man are real assets; he just needs to add more defensive grit and ability to cover ground out of possession. He’s getting a good run now and needs to take advantage, because Paxton Pomykal will be healthy again soon and start eating up the minutes next Illarramendi. It’s also a crowded spot for FCD: Fraser, Sebastian Lletget and newcomer Patrickson Delgado can also play there (in addition to Norris).
Bernie Kamungo struggled to make an impact. Then again, none of the wingers (Herbert Endeley and Dante Sealy in the opening half, then Kamungo and Marco Farfan after the break) really did much to shout about. Endeley did have a couple of nice moments, and continues to have a good preseason. Mostly, this was about the Danish side sitting in deep and restricting space. Without a Jeus Ferreira or someone to unlock things a bit, and with FCD still in ramp-up mode, the chances were few and far between.
Farfan will always do the defensive work, his instincts almost always defensive. But as a wingback, where he’s been deployed so far, I’m just wondering if this new alignment might leave him as something of an odd man out? Farfan is OK going forward, but it’s not his forte. Then again, Estévez says he still wants to use the 4-3-3 in places. In that formation, Farfan is easily the best choice for left back.
Friday’s best chances came off the press, pouncing off turnovers against an Odense team that wasn’t great at building from the back. The closest FCD came to scoring all afternoon was Eugene Ansah’s stoppage time free kick from just outside the penalty area, which needed a nice save from the Odense ‘keeper.