How Nico Plans to Right the Ship
Speaking with reporters, FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez sounded reflected and determined to find a way forward.
Today on a call with media, Nico Estevez spoke about FC Dallas’ dire straits and how the team plans to move forward.
Covering this team for a few years now, Nico showcased traits that fit what Dallas values in a head coach - he’s definitely cerebral and analytical. He has a focus and energy to remain positive, even as the team struggles. Today was no different.
Here’s a rough capture of my first couple of questions.
What’s the feeling in the locker room right now? What kinds of things are you doing to lift the spirits of the team?
“I think the beginning of the week, Sunday, disappointment. Disappointment because we felt short. We did some good things in that game, some things we can build through. Other things we are still making very silly mistakes, stupid mistakes, where the opponent takes advantage. Right now, it is how it goes. When you have confidence and results, everything goes in your way. When you don’t have it, it goes against you. It’s the beginning of the season. It’s MLS, where in other leagues, if you lose those games, it could affect your overall end of the season. Here it is about making the playoffs, arriving in the best form to the playoffs. We have good examples. We had a good meeting on Tuesday. Composure, calm, urgency. Find the balance is key.”
The defense, for starters, is making mistakes. How would you judge that - is it communication, leadership, confidence, or tactical?
“If you analyzed the goals we conceded, the first goal is well organized. But we are a little bit late to react to some of the players. The second goal is a one v one situation. It’s a duel you have to win. The same as our goal - one player win over two of those players. Goals come through mistakes. The other goals we have conceded, against Vancouver, they are coming from similar situations. We have the numbers. We lose the duels. Before we did make those plays, this is why we were one of the best defending teams in the league and now we are not. The first and basic thing is to win your duel. This is where we are working on, tactically, individually, how to jump, defending the cross. It’s not easy. We have to think in the moment to turn this around.”
Respond to Big D Soccer’s Drew Epperly, Nico acknowledged the changes in formation that have been adapting to the players on hand and the opponents. In particular, the players will need to make some changes going forward.
“We have to do better. I think having conversations with the players, we went to the 3-4-3 for a reason, because of the profile of players that we have. It’s something that we have to be consistent. There are things with the ball that we are not going to change it. Now we need to simplify things and be very specific on what we want, let the players play and let them be creative.”
And when Paul Livengood asked about what he has learned from this poor run of play, Nico responded bluntly:
“How difficult it is to do well in this game, how difficult it is to win a game, to do well.”
In injury news, Asher Illaramendi and Jesus Ferreira won’t feature this weekend but should potentially be available next week at the earliest.
