FRISCO, Texas – His performances are often described as “heroic.” His list of MLS records speaks for itself. On Saturday night, FC Dallas’ Kevin Hartman did it again.
Hartman backstopped FCD to an improbable 1-1 draw with long-time rivals Chicago Fire at Pizza Hut Park. After Brek Shea’s red card in the 55th minute, the Chicago offense came alive and forced the 16-year veteran to save the day like he has done so many times throughout his career.
“He is always the nucleus of our back line, keeping us together and organizing us,” said defender Zach Loyd.
Hartman, who had six saves on the night, made perhaps the save of the night in the second half when made a kick-save on forward Gastón Puerari’s shot after the Uruguayan had broken in on the ‘keeper. It was a two-on-none, and by all rights should have been the go-ahead goal.
“I looked up and I thought that the guy to my right, who didn’t have the ball, was in front of the ball,” said Hartman. “So then all of a sudden I knew he wasn’t a genuine option because if they played it to him, he was going to be offside. I was able to worry more about the ball. And fortunately I was able to get a foot save to it.”
Hartman admitted that he left his near side open, essentially teasing Puerari. “You know how strikers are," Hartman said. "They get selfish.”
Puerari though, got another chance, striking the crossbar off a long-range shot. Later, Hartman was tested again when Marco Pappa and Logan Pause forced the 36-year-old to make two big saves right before the final whistle.
“I thought Kevin Hartman made some fantastic saves at the end,” said head coach Schellas Hyndman. “That last one that [Marco] Pappa took, you might not have seen it, but it was a deflection, and whenever a ball is deflected, the goalie is usually moving already and then now he has to readjust. What a brilliant save by Kevin.”
Even Hartman gave himself a pat on the back. “I was able to come up with some saves that I was pretty excited about,” he said.
In 2010, Hartman denied teams time after time with reflex saves, fine decision making, and consistent communication with his defenders. Records speak for themselves and Hartman owns 10 regular season and playoff MLS categories including shutouts and saves made.
The season opener was much the same even with new faces on the back line. The goalkeeper operated in front of a new defense. George John, recently returned from offseason surgery, partnered Shea at center back. Loyd started at left back in place of suspended Jair Benitez, and the Brazilian Jackson rounded out the defensive corps at right back.
“It was kind of a ‘mish-mash’ of a back line but there are a lot of guys that I have confidence in,” Hartman said.
