Where Speed Kills, Oduro Is There

“Everything is bigger in Texas” may be applicable to FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper, but “speed kills” pertains to his lightning-fast strike partner, Dominic Oduro.
 
The speed label has followed Oduro from his childhood in Ghana to his career at Virginia Commonwealth and through his first two years as a pro. But too often it failed to produce any results. Followers of FC Dallas last year were likely to see Oduro make quick runs with the ball and attempt to position himself for a misguided shot on goal.
 
This year, though, Oduro is clearly seeing more of the field and the players on it. And since earning a starting role in the last few weeks, he’s started using his speed to devastating effect.
 
“When I first came into the league defenders played closer to me and were more physical,” Oduro said after a recent practice in Dallas. “Now, they have begun to give me more space because of my speed and that really plays more to my advantage.”

Physical Skills
Last week, in Toronto, the Reds’ physical style of play slowed Oduro down. He was able to make a couple of quick runs with the ball into the offensive half and had two strong shots on goal, but Toronto’s tight defensive set-up limited Oduro’s effectiveness.
 
Nothing limited him two weeks ago in the Hoops’ 4-0 win over the Galaxy, particularly on FCD’s second goal. Oduro carried the ball up the field with his usual unmatchable pace, drawing a slower defender to him. Cooper drifted upfield to his left. Instead of naturally relying upon that speed as the defender committed to him, Oduro unexpectedly crossed the ball crisply to Cooper, creating a one on one with the keeper that resulted in an unstoppable goal.
 
“I told Dom last week after the LA game that it was the best I have ever seen him play,” says FCD coach Schellas Hyndman. “He has a unique ability to be an invisible player. The game progresses and he will come out of nowhere to make an unbelievable play.”

Overcoming His Fears
He’s not the biggest forward in the league with a narrow build and a slightly generous 6’0” listing in the FC Dallas media guide. He wouldn’t be described as very talkative in the locker room either. He is simply content to let his play on the field do his talking for him. Regardless of his stature and quiet personality, he clearly shows to be a more fearless player on the soccer field of late.

“This young man has great courage and character. He works hard,” Hyndman says.
 
Hyndman has an opportunity now to go after players with these attributes. There are a couple of openings at FCD since midfielders Juan Toja and Arturo Alvarez have departed. His first move to bring in a player was a former 3 year protégé from SMU, Bruno Guarda of Brazil. Oduro summarizes, “The character of this team is improving and we are coming together more as a team.”

“I realize that right now in my career I have to make an impact,” Oduro says. “Every player dreams of playing in Europe and I am open to those opportunities in the future. Right now though, my first focus is on FC Dallas and getting to the playoffs.”
 
Oduro now has eight starts and a career-high five goals, 2nd on the team to Cooper’s thirteen. With Cooper apparently staying put in Dallas for the rest of the season, Oduro coming into his own as a multifaceted offensive threat, and the momentum of two shutout wins, the Hoops are suddenly one of MLS’s trickiest propositions.
 
“Coach has his style, it fits my abilities and right now, we are getting better,” Oduro says. “I like the way Kenny and the rest of the team are playing, and we can get to the playoffs if we play one game at a time. Now, I think we might have found our mojo.”

-- Rob Long, Goal.com