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2018 Season Preview: FC Dallas

By Jordan Jacobsen

ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 10: The FC Dallas stating 11 prior to the start of the match between Atlanta United and FC Dallas on September 10, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC beat FC Dallas by a score of 3 - 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 10: The FC Dallas stating 11 prior to the start of the match between Atlanta United and FC Dallas on September 10, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC beat FC Dallas by a score of 3 - 0. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After floundering in 2017, FC Dallas will try to bounce back as title contenders in 2018. With health and their new signings, they just may get there.

FC Dallas were considered by many to be the 2016 MLS Cup favorites after earning the Supporters’ Shield and claiming the US Open Cup, but an injury to key playmaker and MLS Best XI player Mauro Diaz proved too much to overcome. Diaz returned late in 2017, but the Toros were unable to get back to their old form.

2017 Recap

Record: 11-13-10

Finishing Position: 7th in the Western Conference. 13th in the Overall Table.

Postseason Finish: N/A

After coming up short in 2016, Dallas started 2017 with an undefeated run through their first nine games and a semifinal appearance in CONCACAF Champions League. It seemed they were primed for MLS glory. Then the wheels fell off the wagon.

Dallas plunged down the MLS standings, earning only 12 points over their final 15 games. The tailspin saw FC Dallas fall out of playoff contention. Young designated player Cristian Colman never seemed to adjust to MLS play, while veteran Maxi Urruti led the team in goals.

Transfers Out

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  • Chris Seitz (out of contract)
  • Carlos Cermeño (option declined)
  • Eduardo Cortes (option declined)
  • Hernan Grana (option declined)
  • Luis Gonzalez (option declined)
  • Aaron Guillen (option declined)
  • Atiba Harris (option declined)
  • Walker Hume (option declined)
  • Javier Morales (option declined)
  • Coy Craft (option declined)
  • Walker Zimmerman (trade to LAFC)

Transfers In

  • Jimmy Maurer (free)
  • Anton Nedyalkov (transfer from CSKA Sofia)
  • Reto Ziegler (transfer from Luzern)
  • Brandon Servania (Homegrown)
  • Kris Reaves (Homegrown)
  • Jordan Cano (Homegrown)
  • Francis Atuahene (SuperDraft)
  • Ema Twumasi (SuperDraft)
  • Santiago Mosquera (transfer from Millonarios)

Predicted Starting XI

2018 Predictions

Dallas will be a very intriguing team to watch in 2018. On paper, they definitely have plenty of offensive talent, but getting that talent onto the field together, along with getting them to play with cohesion will be a task of its own. A healthy Mauro Diaz should take some pressure off of Urruti, Roland Lamah, and Michael Barrios, who carried the team’s attack last season. The trio scored 26 of Dallas’s 48 goals along with registering 22 of the club’s 49 assists.

The added firepower of Young Designated Player Santiago Mosquera should also help Dallas increase their goal total in 2018. If the youngster can keep up the run of form he had with Millonarios FC in Colombia, the new season could bring with the highest goal tally in team history.

The defense will also likely feature several new faces, and potentially a new formation altogether. With the rest of MLS rapidly evolving and after disappointing in 2017, the changes were necessary but could bring with them some growing pains early on.

Next: Why Carlos Cordeiro deserves time following the USSF election

Overall, expect FC Dallas to be in contention from early on and to re-establish their dominance in the Western Conference. While they may start slow thanks to all of the transitions this offseason,  it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see the Texas club round into MLS Cup contenders by the fall.

Predicted Finish: 4th in the Western Conference.

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