FRISCO – It seems like there are new holes springing up every week, but FC Dallas is hoping that as it tries to patch the leaks that it also is building a pretty decent wall.

Coming off a 2-0 loss at Chivas USA, FC Dallas heads to D.C. United today in big need of a win with a 1-4-1 record. But as much as they realize the pressure is high and the outlook is dire, players and coaches continue to believe progress is being made.

FC Dallas beat Toronto FC two weeks ago at home and appeared to be trending forward. The frustrated offense was beginning to click, and injured veteran goalie Dario Sala was back in net. And for 25 minutes, that combination seemed to be working last week. But then Sala took a red card for handing a ball outside of the box, and the team had to play a man down against a Chivas USA team that has the best record in the league.

"I really felt we were all over them before the red card and just couldn't get a goal, so I think we're still moving forward," said coach Schellas Hyndman after training this week in Frisco. "I thought it was the best game we've played since I've coached FC Dallas, so it was a big step for us. Now, we need to keep that up."

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Veteran FC Dallas goalie Dario Sala will miss Saturday's game because of a red-card suspension.

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It won't be easy. Salas received a one-game suspension for the red card, so he is out again. What's more, defender George John is probably out with a hamstring injury, meaning that Daniel Torres (who has a broken hand), Steve Purdy (who is returning from a hamstring injury) or Kyle Davies (who just joined the team) could be jumping in as a replacement.

That's just sort of how it has gone this season for FC Dallas. That said, the players believe improvement is being made.

"We are getting better, I see that," midfielder Pablo Ricchetti said. "I think that we are moving the ball better and we are defending better. What we have to do now is make sure getting better turns into wins."

One of the things Hyndman would like is for FC Dallas to overcome the hardships and pull out a victory in some of these tough situations. That's something he believes could help build the character of the team.

"I think the history of this club is that when one thing goes wrong, the whole team seems to be held victim by that mistake," he said. "What we have to learn is that if there is an injury or a red card or a bad call, we have to be able to handle that better and come out with a win."

Davies hoping to help: Davies, 20, served as the captain of the U.S. national under-20 team and also has played reserve ball for two years in England. He was acquired in a trade with Real Salt Lake on Tuesday and jumped onto the first team for about 15 minutes of scrimmage play Thursday.

"You probably want a few days with your new team, but I would be ready to go [today ] if they need me," he said. "I'd definitely be excited to get that opportunity."

Hyndman said he may wait on Davies, but added, "We didn't bring him here just to get a look at him, we brought him here to play."