RB – Ryan Hollingshead – FC Dallas
At right-back the day FC Dallas won their second U.S. Open Cup was Ryan Hollingshead, a versatile player who is adept at either playing at full-back, out wide or in the centre of midfield. Hollingshead is one of only four men who remain with the Texan side just three years on from their triumph over the New England Revolution in the final.
The American spent his college career at UCLA, playing for the Bruins in his four years there. During that time, he won several awards, and he captained the side to the College Cup semi-finals. His individual accolades during his time at college include earning All-Pac-12 honours in three straight years, and NSCAA All-America honours in his final year at college, in 2012.
FC Dallas drafted Hollingshead with the 20th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, but the full-back did not sign for the club until the very end of the year, having helped his brother with charity work, including building an orphanage in Haiti. He remains with the FC Dallas squad and has now played over 150 times for the club in his six seasons there, winning the U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in the 2016 season.