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As I wrote a few days ago, the odds were starting to get a little long for Charlie Campbell and with Maykel Galindo not lighting it up in camp the Fabian Castillo signing was going to be trouble for him.

And so it goes, as FCD today parted with both Campbell and Galindo, the team announced via twitter. While unannounced, trialists Kevin Gall and Cristian Arrieta both did not return to Dallas with the team.

While FCD has not finalized their roster and won't till next week, it's starting to look like Scott Gordon may grab that last roster spot.

Thus here's the roster dance as it sits today.

Last updated: 3/10/11

Senior Roster (18 to 20)

MLS rosters are expanding to 30. Players 1 to 20 are on the senior roster and have to fit in the salary cap. (MLS teams may carry only 18 players on this senior roster if they wish)

FCD has 8 international slots in 2010 with 6 currently filled.

1	David Ferreira	(I1) Colombian, (8/9/79)
2	Daniel Hernandez	Re-signed for 2010. US M/D (7/23/76)
3	Jair Benitez	(I2) Colombian LB, (1/11/79).
4	Marvin Chávez	(I3) Honduran MF, (11/3/83)
5	Brek Shea	Promoted from GA. MF US U20. (2/28/90).
6	Ugo Ihemelu	US D. (4/3/83)
7	George John	US CB. (3/20/87)
8	Kevin Hartman	US GK.
9	Zach Loyd	M/D US
10	Jackson	(I4) 22 year old M/D from São Paulo, Brazilian.
11	Eric Alexander	US M
12	Milton Rodriguez	(I5) 34 year old Colombian striker
13	Eric Avila	Promoted from GA 2011. MF US U23. (11/24/87)
14	Kyle Davies	US D. (4/11/89)
15	Bruno Guarda	Brazil MF. (2/6/86) Promoted to senior roster for 2011. Green card
16	Ricardo Villar	(I6) Barry Gorman’s handpicked McCarty replacement.
17	Chris Seitz	Dario Sala replacement. US GK.
18	Bobby Warshaw	2011 first round pick. US M
19	Andrew Jacobson	US D-mid. Acquired from Philly.
20	Fabian Castillo	18 year old Colombian striker.
--	Edson Edward	US D, on IR.

Players occupying roster spots 1-24 will earn at least $42,000 in 2011.

Off-Budget Roster (10)

Roster Spots 21 to 30. Generation adidas, developmental players, and home grown. Players 24 and under that don’t count on the salary cap. MLS teams can have a maximum of 10 off-budget players.

21	Josh Lambo	(Ga 1) GK US (11/19/90)
22	Peri Marosevic	(Ga 2) US F (5/5/89)
23	Andrew Wiedeman	(Ga 3) US F, has been playing some RB too.
24	Bryan Leyva	(HG 1) Mexican MF (2/9/92) green card.
25	Ruben Luna	(HG 2) (I?) Mexican striker
26	Victor Ulloa	(HG 3) Midfielder
27	Moises Hernandez	(HG 4) US D, former U20
28	Jonathan Top	(HG 5) US striker.
29	Richard Sanchez	(HG 6) Mexican keeper
30	Scott Gordon	2011 draft pick, D from Lynn.

Players occupying roster spots 21-30 will earn at least $32,600 in 2011.



Other Players

Anyone connected, rumored, tried out, waived, training invited, or signed as a short term player.

Christian Arrieta	31 Puerto Rican D
Kevin Gall	Welsh striker 29, trialist
Craig Hill	2011 Supplemental pick, GK
Paul Ogunyemi	2011 Supplemental pick, F/M
Maykel Galindo	Trialist, ex-Chivas USA
Alexis Pradie	2011 draft pick
Charlie Campbell	2011 draft pick
Bruno Martins	Spring trialist, Brazilian Dmid.
Bryan Martinez	Supplemental draft pick.
Sheldon Palmer	Jamaican spring trialist out of a Juco.
Jason Yeisley	3010 2010 FCD striker, let go in the spring.
Jeff Cunningham	Contract not renewed
Dario Sala	Contract not renewed
Heath Pearce	Traded to Chivas USA in pre-season
Atiba Harris	Lost in the 2011 Expansion draft.
Dax McCarty	Lost in the 2011 Expansion draft.

FC Dallas ended their Arizona camp with back to back shutouts at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona on Monday evening. The FCD first team knocked off New York Red Bulls Reserves 4-0, then the FC Dallas reserves put a 3-0 win up on FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League.

FC Dallas has two more games this spring, the most important one at Pizza Hut Park against Chivas USA on the 12th. That game should feature the starters in what is the final dress rehearsal for opening day. On the 13th FCD will take on Central Arkansas in what should be the final reserve tune up for 2011. This second game will probably be the last chance for anyone not on the roster to make an impression.

Here's the scoring line and linup from each game on Monday in Arizona, after you take a look at them we'll talk a little about what it all means.

Game 1

Scoring Summary:
FCD - Marvin Chavez (David Ferreira) 17
FCD - Chavez 53
FCD - Maykel Galindo (Ricardo Villar) 57
FCD - Eric Avila (Galindo, Ferreira) 72

Lineups:
FC Dallas - Kevin Hartman, Jackson, George John (Zach Loyd 80), Brek Shea, Jair Benitez, Marvin Chavez, Daniel Hernandez (Andrew Jacobson 75), David Ferreira, Eric Alexander (Ricardo Villar 46), Eric Avila, Kevin Gall (Maykel Galindo 46).

Game 2

Scoring Summary:
FCD - Ruben Luna (Ricardo Villar) 3
FCD - Andrew Wiedeman 24
FCD - Milton Rodriguez (Bryan Leyva) 60

Misconduct Summary:
None

FC Dallas - Chris Seitz (Josh Lambo 46), Charlie Campbell, Scott Gordon, Zach Loyd (Victor Ulloa 24), Moises Hernandez, Andrew Wiedeman, Bobby Warshaw, Andrew Jacobson (Bryan Leyva 46), Peri Marosevic (Jonthan Top 60), Ricardo Villar (Bruno Guarda 46), Ruben Luna (Milton Rodriguez 46).

Now for the more important questions...

- Kevin Gall clearly getting a last shot to make an impression in the first game... and didn't score. I have to think at this point Gall has little shot at making it. Maykel Galindo got the run in the second half and did score... but is it to little to late? I would think it probably is. Hyndman said Galindo couldn't play high striker by himself in a 4-1-4-1 and FCD plays a 4-1-4-1. The new addition in Fabian Castillo makes it very tight on the roster.

- Eric Alexander is, as of right now, the first choice linking mid. We finally saw Ricardo Villar on the field, but a this point he hasn't played enough to make a serious challenge for the spot. Third at this spot is Bruno Guarda, who has fallen far form the days he was a lock starter as a rookie.

- It was nice to finally see George John's name on the team sheet, but is he healthy enough to start opening day? Zach Loyd is also back, but off the bench... Which means at this point it's almost a certainty that Brek Shea will be starting opening day at center back.

- And as a consequence Eric Avila seems to have a firm hold on the next wide mid spot, filling in for Shea at left.

As for the reserve game...

- Charlie Campbell appears to have a shot at outside back, but is there enough room? I just don't see enough space.

- Andrew Wiedeman and Peri Marosevic are so far out of the picture at striker that both are playing wide mid or wide back every time we see them in a scrimmage.

- With the current injuries, Scott Gordon may have played himself onto the team. Or at least Hyndman may have his hand forced to keep him. Gordon at CB vs Campbell at outside back? Could be.

- Game 2 starting 11 means we may see Ricardo Villar spelling David Ferreira some this season too.

A team of reserves, trialists, and draft picks lost to the Montreal Impact 3-0 at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona yesterday after arriving from Florida earlier that day. Ali Gerba, Luke Kreamalmeyer and Idriss Ech Chergui scored for Montreal.

This game featured one of the first sightings of one of the newest FC Dallas home grown players, Jonathan Top, who came on the 66th minute. Josh Lambo got a rare bit of playing time, as did Peri Marosevic, Victor Ulloa, Andrew Wiedeman, and Bryan Leyva. Draftpick and potential striker/winger Charlie Campbell played 90 minutes at outside back.

Trialist Christian Arrieta got a 90 minute run, while Maykel Galindo and Kevin Gall each got a half.

Dallas remains in Phoenix through Tuesday, March 8. The defending Western Conference Champions' next match is scheduled for Saturday, March 5 against the Arizona Sahuaros.

Scoring Summary:
MON - Ali Gerba (Luke Kreamalmeyer) 21
MON - Kreamalmeyer 53
MON - Idriss Ech Chergui 76

Misconduct Summary:
Antonio Ribeiro (caution) 4
Hassoun Camara (caution) 44
Bruno Guarda (caution) 44
Richard Pelletier (caution) 79

Lineups:
FC Dallas - Chris Seitz (Josh Lambo 46), Moises Hernandez, Christian Arrieta, Scott Gordon, Charlie Campbell, Bobby Warshaw (Jonathan Top 66), Eric Avila (Victor Ulloa 46), Andrew Jacobson (Peri Marosevic 46), Bruno Guarda, Maykel Galindo (Kevin Gall 46), Andrew Wiedeman (Bryan Leyva 46).

Montreal Impact - Bill Gaudette (Evan Bush 62), Philippe Billy (Bonheur Aubey 81), Hassoun Camara (Kevin Cossette 87), Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Ali Gerba (Idriss Ech Chergui 64), Kevin Hatchi (Felix Cardin 88), Luke Kreamalmeyer, Pierre-Roudolph Mayard, Nevio Pizzolitto, Antonio Ribeiro (Simon Gatti 68), Zurab Tsiskaridze (Nevio Pelletier 66).

Here's the latest form after Tuesday's scrimmage.

Kyle Davies D - Should miss next two months; currently in walking boot, which he said he should get off next week.

Edson Edward D - Having ACL surgery this week; timetable for return unknown.

Ugo Ihemelu D - Had sports hernia surgery last week; Hyndman would like to have him ready in time for regular season opener on 3/19.

George John D - Is back in training but is still limping a bit; FCD is still taking a cautious approach with him.

Daniel Hernandez M - Returned to training on Monday but club is being cautious; don't want to risk anything.

Charlie Campbell M - Has hamstring pull; that has to hurt chances of making team.

Zach Loyd D - Back in training for Monday evening session after missing Saturday game with eye injury

As we move on to the next question of the winter we come to what for me is the biggest one: striker. Ever since Kenny Cooper left a few seasons ago it seems like FCD has needed a striker. Last year Hyndman waited till the second window to find Milton Rodriguez, who wasn't terrible, but didn't light the world on fire either.

Now a year later FCD finds itself in the same place, needing a striker. This time due to the departure of Jeff Cunningham and Atiba Harris.

Question #2: Forward (a.k.a. The Jeff Cunningham Question)

With the decision to waive Jeff Cunningham, and probably more accurately his large salary cap number (~$220,000), FCD again finds itself in need of another striker. When the second highest paid player is coming off the bench that's not a great sign for said player. It was probably a forgone conclusion Cunningham was going to be out unless he took a massive pay cut. Massive pay cuts are not something that happens very often without a disgruntled and pissed off player, certainly not with someone like Cunningham.

Compounding the problem was the loss of one of FCD's key striker depth players Atiba Harris. Harris had tried a few times to lock down the starting striker position without success. Instead he spent most of the season holding off Marvin Chavez at right mid. Something he managed until the final stretch run. Once Harris had lost out at both spots it wasn't a surprise he was exposed in the expansion draft.

With the loss of two boddies up top, even if both were mostly off the bench, FCD is in sore need of depth just to stand pat. Some depth could come from the young prospects in the squad. The lack of progression last season of Peri Marosevic and Jason Yeisley hurts a bit here. One factor we know very little about it new academy signing Jonathan Top. Late round draft picks Charlie Campbell and Paul Ogunyemi could also help in the depth area, as might Juco trialst Sheldon Palmer. Depth may be answered by pure numbers. Edit: I forgot about Andrew Wiedeman, another player who could add depth.

An answer that could be bigger than expected is Ruben Luna. Luna is one of the brightest prospects to come out of the FCD Academy system and will be getting substantial PT this year. Perhaps even pushing to start. But you can't assume Luna will become strong enough this season to answer all the questions. He will help solve the depth issue, but not the real underlying question. At least not yet I don't think.

So depth may be ok, but if FCD is going to take a step forward (and that's the goal isn't it?) then FCD needs to add a top flight goal scoring striker. Last season far to much scoring was forced to come from midfield. When FCD needed a goal, like in MLS Cup, their best shot came from advancing mids. That's not how you want to build a squad. Add a top line scorer and I think you can look at FCD with the best teams in MLS.

FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman and technical director Barry Gorman have both said FCD is looking for a striker of that quality. Hyndman, as usual, is showing patience, citing the willingness to wait till the second window if need be to make sure they get the right player with the right qualities. So FCD may go into the season with Rodriguez and Luna as the top two choices.

That might be all right, this league is about winning at the end anyway. I prefer to have the core team all year, but I'm not the coach. Hyndman seems well contend to operate this way, leaving a big piece of the puzzle to mid season. There is something to be said for being able to make adjustments with your mid season signing. I just hate seeing an incomplete team, and right now FCD is missing a big piece of the puzzle.

One really interesting development of the last week is the pressence of ex-Chivas USA striker and Cuban defector Maykel Galindo in camp. He's been hampered by injuries the last two yeas, notably hamstring problems, but when he is healthy Galindo is a lethal and ruthless goalscorer with a nose for goal and a mean streak. Blessed with some serious pace up top, he's the kind of high striker that could push the line and open massive space for the FCD penetrating mids like David Ferreira and Break Shea. The injuries are a big red flag, but the upside is massive here if Galindo can get it back on track.

So questions upon questions at forward. Will FCD sign a top flight name up top? In this window or the next? Is Ruben Luna perhaps the answer? Can Galindo resurrect this hamstring and career? A hidden gem in the large depth pool?

How those questions are answered could make or break the FCD season.