FC Dallas: 2020 Preview – Anything more than playoffs?

FRISCO, TX - MARCH 23: FC Dallas players celebrate with FC Dallas midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (12) after a goal during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on March 23, 2019 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX - MARCH 23: FC Dallas players celebrate with FC Dallas midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (12) after a goal during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on March 23, 2019 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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FC Dallas
FRISCO, TX – MARCH 23: FC Dallas players celebrate with FC Dallas midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (12) after a goal during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on March 23, 2019 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With less than a month to go until the start of the 2020 MLS campaign, we are taking a look at how each team has evolved since last year and their chances this term. This time, we look at FC Dallas.

On the final day of the regular season, FC Dallas managed to sneak their way into the postseason, finishing 7th in the Western Conference, just four points above the red line. It was the fifth time in the last six seasons that the club reached the playoffs,

The Texan side lost out in the first round of the playoffs, though, as they fell to the eventual champions, the Seattle Sounders. FCD took the Rave Green to extra-time but lost out in an epic encounter 4-3.

FC Dallas also made it through to the last 16 of the U.S. Open Cup but lost in embarrassing fashion to USL Championship outfit New Mexico United, who had already defeated the Colorado Rapids in the previous round.

Here is how 2020 is shaping up for FC Dallas.

ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 20: Ryan Hollingshead #12 of FC Dallas pushes the ball up field during the first half of the game between Atlanta United and FC Dallas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 20: Ryan Hollingshead #12 of FC Dallas pushes the ball up field during the first half of the game between Atlanta United and FC Dallas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Best Performers

Two players in the FC Dallas squad averaged a WhoScored rating of over 7/10 across the 2019 regular season, despite not having a double-digit goalscorer in their ranks.

Versatile defender Ryan Hollingshead was the club’s best player as he featured in almost every outfield position imaginable in 2019. He scored an average rating of 7.22/10.

The other member of the team to secure a rating higher than seven was Michael Barrios, who was featuring in his fifth season for the club. The side’s top scorer, Jesus Ferreira, came in with a rating of 6.77/10, his eight goals leading the way for the Texan side.