FC Dallas

Brek Shea been called "one of the biggest young talents" in American soccer by Jurgen Klinsmann. He's trained with Arsenal and at age 22, he's already a regular in the United States national team.

After a breakthrough campaign in 2011, the current season has proven to be more of a struggle for Shea, who has missed playing time through injury and suspension. And Shea was not selected for the United States' recent friendly matches and World Cup qualifiers, a first under Klinsmann.

Shea spoke about all those topics and more when I caught up with him on the phone last week. Here's what he had to say.

MICHAEL CUMMINGS: Hi Brek, thanks for speaking with me today. Let's talk about growing up in Texas. First, how did you get into soccer, and what was it like being a soccer guy deep in the heart of Texas?

BREK SHEA: (Laughs) Yeah, I mean football is everything (in Texas). It’s actually grown a lot here. Dallas is a pretty big hotbed for soccer. But growing up in Bryan, Texas, soccer wasn’t anything at all. I had to drive all the way to Houston to play on a team.

I remember I was in high school and I quit football and the coaches were telling me I would never get anywhere with soccer, but I could play football or run track or something, but that soccer wouldn’t take me anywhere.

MC: So was it harder for you to quit football or to turn pro right after high school?

BS: I liked playing football, but I knew what I wanted to do. So it wasn’t that hard. I look back and I miss football, I love watching football, but I’m happy with my decision.

And with going pro, I thought about college for a while and I went on visits, but then I decided, ‘This is what I want to do and this is the route I have to take.’ So I’m happy with my decision in both.

MC: What position did you play in football?

BS: I played a lot. I kicked everything and I played safety and I was a receiver.

MC: Do you think more Americans will take the route you did—going pro right after high school instead of going to college?

BS: I do. I think especially with these development academies that they’re kind of paving the way for people to go pro, especially where they grow up. You look at my team, Dallas, and it has four, five, six guys that they signed from the development academy.

MC: You spent some time training with Arsenal last winter in London. What was that like?

BS: It was a lot of fun. It was a great experience and I learned a lot training with guys like, obviously, Van Persie, who was probably their best player last year. Just seeing what they do on and off the field was great for me, to watch and learn and see. To learn what it takes to play at that level, I think was the best part for me.

MC: 2011 was a breakthrough season for you. This year you had the suspension and now you’re dealing with an injury. How would you rate your season so far, both personally and with FC Dallas?

BS: Not very good, to be honest. Whether it’s the suspension, injuries or going with the national team or Olympic team…I just haven’t had a group of games to get a rhythm, to get going.

MC: What can you tell us about your future? You were a hot name in the rumor mill not too long ago. Anything to report?

BS: I want to play in Europe at some point. I just have to do it when it’s the right time for me, and the right club. It depends on a lot of things.

But I can’t complain. I like playing in Dallas. My contract is here for a couple more years, but if the time comes when I feel like it’s right and the right team comes and it all feels right, then I want to make a move. I just don’t know when it would be.

MC: Let’s turn to the national team. What did you make of the Guatemala game?

BS: I’ve played [Guatemala] before, and it’s not fun. I mean, I’ve done it all at the youth level, but I don’t think it’s much different, except for the stakes.

I think they could have played better versus Guatemala, obviously, but I know how hard it is, and I know they tried. It’s just a hard environment to play in.

MC: For the first time since Jurgen Klinsmann has been in charge, you weren’t selected for the national team. When do you expect to get back into the team?

BS: I think just once I get healthy and start playing a lot. I have no doubt in myself and my ability that I’ll be back as soon as I get healthy and get a couple games in with my team.

MC: I read that you have six tattoos. Is that number still accurate, and if so, which one is your favorite?

BS: I don’t think that’s accurate. I think I have more, but I’m not sure to be honest. My favorite is probably my “Believe” one (on his right leg). It’s on my Deuce watch on the bottom. It’s my thing: Just believe in yourself, believe in what you do.

MC: You and Deuce Brand teamed up to design a watch. What can you tell me about the watch and Deuce?

BS: I think they’re a cool brand. They built me a watch and they did a pretty sweet job, and it captures my personality in it. I like what they stand for.

MC: I’ve got to ask about the hair. Where do you find inspiration for all your different looks? Do you have anything special planned?

BS: I’m not sure where I get it from. I’ve just always had a different kind of haircut when I was growing up, whether it was long, short, just something stupid. I just kind of experiment, and I listen to what people say, and I’m like, ‘Hey, let’s go try it.’

People think there’s a lot of thought in it, but there’s not. It kind of just happens.

MC: Do you have a prediction for the rest of this season?

BS: I think once I get healthy, I’m going to get back to the form I was in last year and help my team get back on track, because we obviously haven’t been playing the best and we’ve been struggling, too.

And I think when a lot of our players that are injured get back, we’ll get in the playoffs and I think we’ll do pretty well.

14. Thanks, Brek, I know our readers at Bleacher Report will be really interested to hear what you had to say. Good luck with the rest of the season.

Hey, I appreciate it. No problem.

Brek Shea was speaking at the launch of his "Signature Series" watch with Deuce Brand. For more about Shea's signature watch, visit Deuce Brand's website.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Schellas Hyndman’s FC Dallas received a big boost to their postseason standing on Saturday night, when they silenced the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Tex.

Looking to build on their momentum from their 2-1 playoff-clinching win over Chicago midweek, the Hoops established the rhythm early and wore down Tom Soehn’s Whitecaps, who never looked to threaten much at the Over.

In the 35th minute, a long goal kick from Kevin Hartman found Brek Shea, who delivered the ball to a streaking Marvin Chavez, who recorded his sixth goal of the season to open the proceedings. A would-be brace at the beginning of the second half for the Honduran international was called back due to an offsides call.

In the 54th minute, Dallas put the game out of reach. Brek Shea took advantage of a mishit from Hoops captain Daniel Hernandez, who blasted the rebound past embattled Vancouver netminder Joe Cannon for his team-leading 11th goal of the season.

With the result, FC Dallas improve to 15-11-7 (52 points) and are only out of the top three due to Real Salt Lake managing a superior goal differential (+8 to +5).

Dallas wrap up the MLS regular season away to the San Jose Earthquakes but will have to deal with Toronto FC in CONCACAF Champions League action first.

As for Vancouver, a futile road campaign has been part of a 6-17-10 year (28 points). The Whitecaps will wrap up the 2011 season back at BC Place on Oct. 22, where they host the Colorado Rapids.

Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2011 Major League Soccer season.

Tonight FC Dallas heads to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Revolution. The Hoops are looking to build on the momentum of their stoppage time victory against Sporting Kansas City, which saw them get the three points off a header from Bobby Warshaw following an incredible comeback from a 2-0 deficit. The win ended a three-match winless streak for Dallas

Ugo Ihemelu will be missing the match tonight following his yellow card in the match against Kansas City. Fabian Castillo will be out with a hip injury.

Dallas had the last week off in league play but were still active, winning the Rio Grande Plate rivalry against Tigres UANL on penalties after tying the series on aggregate with a 2-1 victory at Pizza Hut Park. In addition Brek Shea played for the full 90 minutes in matches for the United States Men's National Team against both Belgium and Costa Rica. Marvin Chavez represented Honduras in both of their friendly matches as well.

Dallas is currently in third-place in the Western Conference with 46 points.

New England will be looking to end their winless streak of seven games following a late equalizer against the Philadelphia Union, which saw the match end in a 4-4 draw. New England has suffered lately, with all of their last three draws being the result of giving up late equalizing goals. The team will certainly be looking to end their current skid against Dallas.

New England will be without the services of Stephen McCarthy and Sainley Nyassi due to injury. They are currently tied for eighth-place in the Eastern Conference with 24 points.

New England has the advantage all-time against Dallas with a record of 22-11-3 against the Hoops. Dallas has not won at New England since 2003, but won against them earlier this year at Pizza Hut Park, following a goal from Marvin Chavez.

This will be Dallas' first league match with George John since his suspension and the rumors of his transfer to Blackburn Rovers. John wore the captain's armband against Tigres. Zach Loyd will also be returning, having not played for Dallas since their 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders because of injury.

FC Dallas, its fans and the MLS community in general were in mourning today as news got out that former Dallas player Bobby Rhine had died of a heart attack while on vacation with his family in Florida.

Rhine played with the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas from 1998 to 2008, at which time he retired and joined the club's front office. Eventually he took over play-by-play duties for the side's televised matches.

Considered by many to be the face of the franchise, Rhine became one of the most popular members of the FC Dallas family, known for being a hard worker and overall great guy. His voice in the broadcast booth was one of my favorite parts of watching the Hoops play. Colleagues of his speak highly of his willingness to stop to talk and many members of local and national media have already begun to lament his passing.

Within hours of the news getting out, Dallas supporters group The Inferno had organized a small memorial service at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, where a picture of Rhine hangs on the southeast corner of the stadium.

Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor, who played with Rhine at Dallas, expressed his sadness at Rhine's passing by calling Bobby a "consummate professional" and a "team player," echoing the sentiments of many players and fans around the league.

Bobby Rhine was drafted sixth in the 1999 MLS College Draft out of the University of Connecticut. He played mostly midfield and forward positions, scoring 23 goals in 212 appearances for the Hoops over his 10 year career.

Rhine was well loved by fans of the club and will definitely be sorely missed. I'm sad to see him go, especially at so young an age. I wish his family and friends all the best in dealing with this terrible tragedy.

FC Dallas has announced that the FC Dallas foundation will be accepting donations for Rhine's family. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

FC Dallas fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as it has been announced that George John's trade to English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers has been called off.

The trade had seemed downright inevitable in past weeks. John left for Greece to obtain his passport, then went to Blackburn to visit and have a medical.

In the time between John's last match with Dallas (a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union that saw him sent off on cards) and his return, the team continued their winning habits in CONCACAF Champion's League play despite suffering tough losses to the Seattle Sounders in both US Open Cup and league play.

On the bright side though, the Hoops pulled off an incredible 3-2 comeback win over Sporting Kansas City in their last league match in August to ensure that the side would not go winless in MLS play during August. It was the first month this season in which they won just one match.

George John returning to Dallas is just what this team needs right now. Many people, including myself, thought that the depth of the squad would allow them to soldier on without John and succeed, but the last couple of matches have proven otherwise. 

If I were to make a general statement about the state of the defense during John's departure from the team, I would label it as ineffective, uninspired and pathetic.

Dallas appeared to be on their heels for the most part, always struggling to play consistent and useful defense, let alone try to mount any sort of attack.

That being said, the players who came in at centre-back to replace John performed rather well. I was impressed by Andrew Jacobson's performance in the match against Sporting KC.

This tells us something about George John, and Dallas as a whole: yes, they are entirely capable of replacing him with other players who can sufficiently fill his position.

But despite that fact, the defense still looks confused and lifeless. This is because John is the heart of this Dallas defense.

Dallas drafted John in the SuperDraft, and since that time he has grown to become arguably one of the best defensive players on the squad.

The fans love him and he is a rock for the defense, forming half of a duo with Ugo Ihemelu around which the rest of the defense forms.

His presence is crucial if you want this squad to perform well. It is not that the squad is untalented; but without John they seem to falter and fail.

Schellas Hyndman is surely aware of this fact.

John's contract ends this season and Dallas has been frantically attempting to sign him all year, to no effect.

As this potential trade showed us, John is already looking to other shores, with his monumental last two years with the Hoops providing a decent resume to any team that might be interested.

For the moment though John is back in Dallas and says he is here to "win championships". Dallas fans will surely love him even more should he deliver on that promise, making his potential departure even more painful.

For now though we should count our blessings and appreciate the time that the Greek Pony will be spending with us in Dallas.

FC Dallas rookie Bobby Warshaw was the hero as the Hoops came back from what was an almost insurmountable 2-0 hole to beat Sporting Kansas City, 3-2.

Dallas looked pitiful through the first half and well into the second, and Kansas City fans were probably feeling quite confident that Sporting's stellar record of 10-7-5 against Dallas would see another tally in the win column.

The first goal of the night came off of a defensive miscue between Ugo Ihemelu and Bruno Guarda, which resulted in Kei Kamara coolly slotting a shot past Kevin Hartman to the far post. Dallas' defense continued to look bad through most of the match, allowing Kansas City many chances on goal.

After the half ended, play continued much like it had for the first half of the match, with Dallas seemingly always on their heels, never able to put together a strong, concentrated attack. Chances were few and far between and possession was practically gifted to Kansas City all night long, resulting in Kansas City's second goal of the night in the 68th minute of play.

Dallas would soon respond though as Ihemelu pulled one back for the visiting side in the 70th minute. After that goal, play seemed more balanced, and Dallas seemed to connect a bit more and looked better on the ball.

In the 89th minute of play, Brek Shea worked outside after getting the ball in the center of the field, then clinically crossed it to one of Dallas' newer players Maicon Santos, who headed it in to put the teams level.

With two of the three minutes in injury time gone, rookie Dallas midfielder Bobby Warshaw managed to get the ball forward and it ended up with Brek Shea, who yet again crossed it into the box, giving Warshaw the chance to score the game-winning goal as well as his first career MLS goal.

Dallas got the win tonight, but it was mostly because of their near-miraculous efforts in the last 20 minutes of the game. They also benefited from the sending off of Teal Bunbury, who was shown a red in the 76th minute of the match after having been cautioned earlier.

Kansas City's recent reputation for giving up goals in the last few minutes of play also showed heavily here, as they seemed to be quite disheartened after Dallas equalized.

Despite their poor play, Dallas fans will be slightly relieved to know that Andrew Jacobson performed well tonight at centre-back, and his presence helped to solidify an otherwise scrambling defense that looked slightly out of form. Ihemelu was also strong on the back, but will miss the next match against New England for receiving a caution in the match.

While the team seemed to suffer from exhaustion due to an abundance of road games and looked well out of the match until the 70th minute, Dallas once again proved their reputation as the team that never gives up with tonight's win.

They got the three points they needed despite a poor early performance, and will surely count this game as a lucky win given their three game winless streak.

FC Dallas takes on Sporting Kansas City tonight in the Hoops' first visit to Livestrong Park. Dallas will definitely be looking to replicate their recent CONCACAF Champion's League play in an attempt to get the three points tonight as the last match between these two sides found the Hoops losing 4-1 at home to a Kansas City side that looked much stronger and organized overall.

Dallas is coming off of yet another CONCACAF Champion's League victory over Toronto FC, a 1-0 victory at BMO Field that was originally postponed at the half due to inclement weather. Dallas would go on to win the replay the next day 1-0 on a goal from newcomer Jack Stewart.

Dallas' recent league play leaves much to be desired though.

Sitting in third place in the Western Conference, Dallas has won only two matches out of their last five, against Toronto and Chivas USA. Their current three game streak saw them barely pull out a tie against a Philadelphia Union side who benefited greatly from the ejection of George John, whose highly touted move to Blackburn Rovers still has yet to come.

Many would contribute the recent dropping of points to the loss of George John, and this very well might be true. In past matches the defense has not looked as in-form as before John's red card and subsequent trade talks popped up, and if Dallas is to succeed tonight that will have to change.

Sporting Kansas City on the other hand has only lost one match of their last five and has been looking good recently. The combination of C.J. Sapong, Kei Kamara and Teal Bunbury has proved to be quite effective for them and Graham Zusi, who scored two goals in their 4-1 win over Dallas earlier this year, is having a great season as well in the midfield.

In order for Dallas to get the three points tonight, their No. 1 goal should be taking apart the great linkup between Bunbury, Kamara and Sapong. Those three, combined with the Kansas City midfield, are dangerous when allowed to gel together and do their work unimpeded. The Dallas midfield and defense will need to step it up and keep those three from being able to connect or else they will suffer. Lots of eyes will be on Andrew Jacobson tonight as he will likely be filling in for George John at centre-back.

Up front, Dallas will want to rely on their speed and athleticism. Brek Shea and Maicon Santos will provide plenty of attacking power, and with Martin Chavez behind them, look for them to come out of the gate and look to overpower the defense with their speed and creativity. Possession will also be crucial, and I expect that the team who can dominate possession will pull out the win.

If Dallas can get on the ball early and maintain an attacking spirit throughout the match, as well as dominate possession, I feel like they will be able to leave Livestrong Park with the desperately needed three points tonight.

FC Dallas Starting XI: Hartman, Benitez, Ihemelu, Jacobson, Hall, Hernandez, Guarda, Shea, Villar, Chavez, Santos

Bench: Seitz, Warshaw, Ulloa, Stewart, Jackson, Wiedeman, Luna

Sporting Kansas City Starting XI: Nielsen, Sinovic, Besler, Cesar, Myers, Espinoza, Zusi, Bravo, Sapong, Bunbury, Kamara

Bench: Kronberg, Harrington, Aiyegbusi, Collin, Diop, Arnaud, Saad

FC Dallas and its players have received their fair share of praise this year. Jürgen Klinsmann's recent naming of Brek Shea and Zach Loyd to the roster for the US Men's National Team's friendlies against Costa Rica and Belgium are just further signs of the talent the Hoops are developing out in the hot, hot sun of Frisco, Texas.

Shea and Loyd join a roster filled with faces both new and old. Naturally, you will find your Landon Donovan, your Tim Howard, your Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, but with the tested standards there are some other faces—Teal Bunbury of Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz have been called up, as well as Edgar Castillo, Robbie Rogers and Michael Orozco Fiscal.

Klinsmann will surely look to replicate the success of the Rogers and Shea combination from the last friendly against Mexico. As US fans will recall, Shea's offensive work payed off soon after being subbed in, resulting in an easy poacher's effort for Rogers that put the Americans level with reigning Gold Cup victors Mexico.

While it would be a bit of an exaggeration to say Klinsmann is looking for the exact same link-up between Shea and Rogers that led to the goal against Mexico, the fact that Klinsmann has called up Shea shows the newly appointed US coach is well aware of just how effective Shea is when on the offensive.

Shea is dangerous when played in the winger position, a fact FC Dallas has relied upon throughout most of the season. His ability to create goals as well as play the role of poacher after an attempt is blocked has helped lead him to 10 goals in league play this year, good enough for third—just behind New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry and popular LA Galaxy midfielder Donovan.

While Loyd has not been at the forefront of goal scoring for the Hoops this year, the defender has been showing progress in the back and is developing into a talented defender. He has a single goal this year as well as three assists. He has been a part of the Dallas defense that has helped the team into its position in third place behind the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy in the Western Conference.

The selection of Shea and Loyd to the roster shows Klinsmann is well aware of what Dallas has been doing in Texas. Dallas fans should be more than ecstatic to have the chance to see Shea and Loyd get caps for their country, especially given what they have done on the field for the Hoops.

Additionally, it gives me good feelings for what is ahead for the US side when I see Klinsmann willing to call up not just the usual suspects but also some of the more promising youth talent developing in the United States.

You have to give younger players an early chance to get acclimated to the atmosphere of international competition. Friendlies are obviously a good time and place to not only do that but to also determine what kind of side will be on the pitch in the future.

For his first match with the team, Klinsmann did pick some younger players and others who had not seen much action during the Bob Bradley days.

Now that he has shown he can lead the core group of US regular starters to success (to be fair it was a draw, but after the first half of that match it was quite the exhilarating draw), he has decided to go just a bit beyond the list of USMNT regulars and pick a few players who he feels deserve a chance to play for their country. One example of this is Fabian Johnson, defender for Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.

This mixture of newcomers and old standards will be refreshing, allowing fans a chance to see not only the heroes of the last World Cup but also the potential future stars of the team.

You can be sure I will be watching the matches when the US takes on Costa Rica and Belgium later this year.