Schellas Hyndman

  (3:07 PM)

Hi everyone, I'm very glad to be a part of this ESPN chat, and I'm looking forward to sharing my information and my thoughts with you.

Robert (Cedar Hill, TX)

Schellas, this year has been very chaotic for your team. What does the team have to do to be considered a success in your eyes?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:10 PM)

I think what we need to be able to is what all good teams want to do--find ways of winning games. I think the players are feeling much more comfortable in our 4-4-2 structure, which helps them understand their roles. I think it helps the team get better. What you're finding right now is a team attacking with a lot of numbers, as opposed to one ball over the top. The part that has been disappointing is that, over the last four games, we've had a lead and have either been tied or got beaten. The disappointment is what I've been sharing with the players--it takes 90 minutes to win a game and one second to lose it. We have to not make mental mistakes and avoid breakdowns. We've been giving up sure goals that have been preventable.

zenabi, Fort Worth

welcome coach! I admit to being a skeptic initially, but I have to admit that you've changed my mind. I love the possession game (good riddance to old english long ball). But what about the D? We need a stud center mid- I love Drew but he just gets lost out there way too much. Pitch is a back-up doing his best. How to fix it now?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:12 PM)

I recognize that our defense needs to improve. We'll give players an opportunity to step up. By having four in the back, it does help players who are making basic mistakes to have support around them. It is definitely an area that we need to concentrate on next year. This year, we have to just get a band-aid on it. To make our defense one of the better ones of the league, we will have to acquire the right players. I am still concerned about the back four and will be until we get it right.

Matt, Fort Worth, Texas

What position(s) do you think do FC Dallas have the best strength at?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:14 PM)

I think we're solid in goal. Our center-midfield is our strength, with Pablo Richetti, Saragosa, Guarda, Avila, and McCarty--we have so many strong ones. With the addition of Jeff Cunningham, we have a legitimate strikeforce with our two strikers.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Where is your fav. stadium to be at?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:14 PM)

For me, my favorite stadium is our home one. We have great fan support, a wonderful environment, and there is not a bad seat in the stadium.

Paul Hanson Frisco, T

Has the competition and skill in the MLS surprised you compared to the college ranks?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:16 PM)

Yes it has. I realize now how skillful, physical, and skillful the game was. To be on the sidelines, watching the speed of play, I've been very interested in the physical skill involved.

Travis (Dallas, TX)

Obviously the team is on a small winnless streak. What is the difference between now and the 2 superb matches between LA and Toronto and what will you do to try to get the team back on track?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:18 PM)

The team has been real disappointed with the last match against Columbus--it's a game we should have won, but we found a way not to win. We're trying to develop a culture of winning. That's something more mental than technical or physical. The players have to hate losing and do anything they can to win. We really have to incorporate the mentality of winning.

James Wedding, McKinney, Texas

Mr. Hyndman, Many observers of soccer notice a definite step in pace between high school to college to pro level soccer. Lots of great college players never adjust. I've been watching FC Dallas for years now, and never seen a player make the leap like Guarda has in terms of playing time. What is it about him that has you so impressed to put him in the starting 11?

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:20 PM)

That's a great question--a lot of people have been wondering. All I can say to that is that my familiarity with the player, playing a system that is different from most 4-4-2 systems, the position I've put him in is one I've coached him in for three years. He understands the structure, and it's about the structure more than the individual. I wanted to give him the opportunity to produce on the field. We felt he had a good game against Columbus. Saying that, I we have Avila and McCarty who can play that position, but neither are as familiar with it. It's a vote of confidence.

Schellas Hyndman

  (3:21 PM)

I think right now we're in a state of trying to win our next few games. Our goal since I've been here is to put ourselves into the playoffs, and we're still very much in that position, with a very important game against Colorado. This is a game that we need to do our best to go and get three points out of.