Center back a deep position in MLS; FC Dallas missing key ingredient

Know your Major League Soccer -- Five things to take away from Week 21:

1. A wealth of quality MLS center backs: It's interesting to watch a weekend of MLS matches and then revisit the U.S. issues at center back just two months ago in South Africa.

There is an abundance of quality, young center backs in the league. (Not all of them are American, of course, but many of them are.) It's just the cyclical nature of these things, of course; the collective strength at any position will ebb and flow.

Brandon McDonald had a great match for San Jose over the weekend. Actually, everyone along San Jose's back line had a good day, posting the clean sheet against Landon Donovan and the Galaxy. McDonald has been good all year whether in defense or in the midfield.

Andy Iro, who just never looked comfortable in spot duty for Columbus over his first two seasons, has found his stride. It doesn't hurt that he's playing alongside Chad Marshall, who continues to deliver one outstanding night after another for the Eastern Conference leaders.

Carlos Mendes was the real standout in central defense in the Red Bulls' big win at Toronto. But the real buzz in that part of the field is more typically reserved for outstanding rookie Tim Ream.

George John has been steady for FC Dallas. He was an especially big presence on Saturday as concussion concerns kept his usual partner, Ugo Ihemelu, sidelined. No matter, as highly regarded rookie Zach Loyd filled in admirably. Loyd was a right back earlier this year, which is probably a little better suited for his relatively slight size. But he did play one season of center back in college for North Carolina, and he was generally well positioned Saturday.

Geoff Cameron is again playing center back for Houston. That he returned so quickly following April knee surgery is amazing in itself. But he is more than holding his own, so the story is especially stirring. (Even if the entire Dynamo defense did fall apart late Saturday, nearly squandering a lead against Chicago.)

The list goes on. Julius James is fouling a little less and defending a little more these days at D.C. United. Once looking like a bust, he may finally be settling in to MLS. Toronto's Nana Attakora, just 21, is developing nicely. Former U.S. Olympian Patrick Ianni, 25, is starting now for Seattle.

And, of course, there is Los Angeles' talented Omar Gonzalez, last year's Rookie of the Year. Here's a great barroom debate for you: Which promising U.S. center back will be the next to go overseas? I'd bet on Marshall, although Gonzalez may have something to say about it.

2. Taking aim at aimless crossing in MLS: Quality in MLS has improved dramatically over the last 10 years, and even significantly over the last five or so seasons. Still, some sticking points remain, areas that still need plenty of attention.

One that keeps MLS from being a little easier on the eyes is the collective quality of crossing. Normally, an MLS weekend is wrought with crossing that's somewhere between ineffective and just plain awful. Service from the wings frequently lacks authority -- if the efforts make it into the penalty area at all. "Look out there in row 6 behind the goal! Someone's about to hit a cross!"

Even well-struck crosses are frequently pointless, fired haphazardly into the penalty area without purpose, aim or specific intent. So, when a match unfolds with quality service from the wings, it's worth noting.

San Jose's win over Los Angeles had a few nice balls zinged in from the Earthquakes' Bobby Convey or recently-acquired Tim Ward, who is now stationed on the right. The Galaxy's Sean Franklin got forward to deliver a couple of good balls from Los Angeles' right side.

Meanwhile, the Red Bulls' Dane Richards is having a tremendous August, surely enjoying his role alongside Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry, players with the requisite experience and vision to supply him with passes in useful spots. Richards, so consistently inconsistent in his time with the Red Bulls, cranked some zippy balls toward Juan Pablo Angel and Henry early in Saturday's game at Toronto. Later, one on-target cross led to a Red Bulls penalty kick, and a late ball from Richards toward the back post turned into a goal for Carl Robinson. (Incidentially, Robinson refused to celebrate against his old club. That's a classy move.)

3. Assessing contender status at FC Dallas: The club has done almost everything it can to be considered a top-tier contender, one that can take its place alongside Los Angeles, RSL and Columbus. Almost.

Schellas Hyndman's team has a league-low two losses and is unbeaten in 11 games. The defense is better than at any time in recent years, and on pace to establish a club mark for fewest goals allowed.

David Ferreira, who is involved at some point on almost every Dallas goal these days, is real difference maker. Kevin Hartman is a confident man in goal, making the big save or two per match that was missing as Dario Sala faded over the last two years. Hyndman's team has a system that works for this set of players and the club has proved it can overcome injuries to key players, winning this weekend without Ugo Ihemelu and Dax McCarty.

One element remains missing, however, and it's a toughie: The team may be one potent striker away from moving atop the contender class.

Colombian journeyman striker Milton Rodriguez just isn't getting it done. But neither was Jeff Cunningham, and his best role seems to be off the bench now. Rather, Brek Shea has been supplying the important goals lately, striking for his fifth over the weekend in a match that looked fairly typical for FC Dallas: dominate possession with lots of slick passing -- but claim a narrow win or a draw because of a lack of authoritative striker play. (Shea, by the way, may well be playing his way into a national-team call-up at age 20. He's a beast along Dallas' left side.)

Is there a worthy striker out there to be had? The options are limited. Although the international transfer window has closed for MLS teams, out-of-contract internationals can still be signed. While it's possible, it's generally tough because of salary-cap constraints at this point. The MLS trade window remains open until mid-September, but the best bait is a young player like Eric Avila or the injured Kyle Davies. And what club wants to part with promising, young (not to mention cheap) talent?