By: Pedro Heizer
Former Lynn University Standout Scott Gordon is once again playing with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer during the preseason.
The Boca Raton native is no stranger to the FC Dallas brass, just last season Gordon was selected by FC Dallas with the 53rd pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
Gordon played with FC Dallas last summer for two months on a trial basis. Due to injury in the left back position, Gordon saw a lot of playing time when the team played in Orlando for a summer tournament. Yet, at the end of the summer FC Dallas did not offer him a contract. “They told me that if they were to sign me, I would be a reserve on a team that already has two terrific left backs. And as rookie, that isn’t the way you envision your career beginning,” explained Gordon “So they told me to get some game under my belt.”
Freshly released from a MLS team, Gordon had no problem finding a new club to play in. In April of 2011, Gordon signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
“It was a great team down there,” Gordon said. “I got a lot of games that I probably wouldn’t have gotten here – some experience under my belt. I got used to the speed of play, worked on my technical abilities and one-touch stuff. In general, my game and knowledge of the game really improved.”
Last season Gordon was a vital part of the Strikers run to the NASL Championship Series in which they lost to the Minnesota Stars FC (formally known as NCS Minnesota).
Regardless of his experience, Gordon will have his work cut out for him this preseason.
FC Dallas has already added three young talented defenders this offseason but manager Schellas Hyndman sees the potential Gordon has, “Scott brings very good athleticism,” Hyndman said. “He’s got good size, a great engine and a great vertical leap. He’s everything that we remember [from last year].”
Making a MLS squad isn’t easy and Gordon knows it, but with the experience he gained playing with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers this past season, he feels comfortable with the challenge and with one opening spot remaining, there is no reason to lose hope.