2015 MLS Team Preview: FC Dallas
By Sean Maslin
Something big is brewing deep in the heart of Texas. In 2014, FC Dallas took the league by storm. The club used their youth academy products to lift them back into the playoffs for the first time since 2011. But can they build off of their success in 2014? Let’s find out:
Quick Numbers
2014 Record: 16-12-6
Conference Standing: 4th Place
League Standing: 6th Place
Finish: Eliminated by the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Semifinals
Top Scorer: Blas Perez (11)
Top Play-maker: Fabian Castillo or Mauro Diaz
Greatest Moment in 2014: There are a lot to choose from but perhaps the most important moment was their 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in October. Goals by David Teixeira and Fabian Castillo gave FC Dallas a spot in MLS’ second season.
Key Players This Season:
Mauro Diaz- The center-midfielder looked brilliant at the start of the 2014 season, scoring 2 goals early for FC Dallas. But a knee injury sidelined March’s MLS Player of the Month for most of the summer and he struggled to find his form late in the year. After his start on August 9th, Diaz would make just 4 appearances with the club and play a combined 97 minutes.
More from FC Dallas
- Alan Velasco: An Injury Leaving Deep Marks on FC Dallas
- FC Dallas: Determination and Resilience in Their Journey Towards the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs
- FC Dallas: A Late Surge Towards Glory or Just Another Attempt?
- The Rise of Nkosi Tafari: The Emerging New Leader of FC Dallas
- Geovane Jesus’ Injury Shakes Up FC Dallas: What Are the Team’s Options?
When Diaz came to the club in 2013 from River Plate it was expected that the would be the play-maker in the middle of the pitch. Although he has shown flashes of his potential, he needs to put it all together. If he can have a successful 2015 campaign he will add a valuable dimension to an already deadly FC Dallas attack.
Matt Hedges-The captain of FC Dallas, Hedges has slowly gained credit in American soccer circles for his dogged work ethic and his fantastic defending. He led an FC Dallas side that allowed just 45 goals in 2014 (6th lowest in MLS).
Although Hedges is just 24, he played beyond his years in 2014 and will be asked to do so again in 2015. Stephen Keel will continue to provide support and the addition of Zach Loyd will help. But a lot is expected of Homegrown Player Moises Hernandez (13 starts in 2014) and Generation Adidas’ Walker Zimmerman (9 starts). Hedges can earn a spot with the USMNT at the Gold Cup if he can pull off a similar performance like he had in 2014.
Fabian Castillo-Castillo scored 10 goals for FC Dallas last season, a career-best for him. As the year went on, he became an excellent second option in the Dallas attack behind center forward Blas Perez.
After signing a five-year contract extension, the pressure will be on Castillo to take on a greater role with the team. With Perez likely to be gone with Panama for the Gold Cup and both Diaz and David Teixeira (4 goals in 19 appearances) coming off of injuries, Castillo will need to keep up his 2014 form.
Key Departures
George John- Oh, how the mighty have fallen. At one time John was considered to be one of the next great US Men’s National Team defenders and near a transfer to West Ham United. But a bone bruise in his patella and a knee injury killed his 2013 season after just 14 matches and kept him out of FC Dallas’ roster in 2014.
John was taken by NYCFC in the Expansion Draft and may not ever end up being anything. Or at 27 he could turn around his career and get back on track. Dallas had to expose him because they were only able to protect so many players. But with such a young defense, it would have been nice to keep a player of John’s skill and experience level.
Andres Escobar-Escobar did not have a bad 2014 with Dallas (26 appearances, 2 goals). But he was the odd man out in a loaded Dallas midfield (Castillo, Victor Ulloa, Ryan Hollingshead, Danny Garcia, Kellyn Acosta). Plus he was on loan from Dynamo Kiev so the club did not really lose anything on the deal.
Big Question For 2015: Who Is Going To Start At Goalkeeper?
FC Dallas are in a position that many clubs would kill to be in at goalkeeper. The club has two goalkeepers in Chris Seitz and Dan Kennedy who could start immediately for the club and another in Jesse Gonzalez who will be featuring for Mexico at the U-20 World Cup.
Last season, FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja switched periodically between Seitz and Raul Fernandez, the Peruvian international whose option was declined at the end of the season. That situation seemed to backfire as the young Dallas defense at times seemed disjointed and disorganized.
To become a serious contender for the Supporters Shield, MLS Cup, and Open Cup, Dallas need to commit to one goalkeeper. Both Seitz and Kennedy, who came to Dallas via the Chivas USA auction, are used to playing with young defenses. Seitz might have the edge though given that he has made 27 appearances with Dallas.
Keep an eye though on Gonzalez. He won’t be the starter this season and will likely be spending time with Arizona United SC, Dallas’ USL affiliate. But he will be an important player for this club sooner rather than later.