FC Dallas: Two new players will put squad over the top
FC Dallas are making good moves for the future
FC Dallas sent midfielder Fafa Picault to Houston Dynamo FC recently for General Allocation Money. Almost immediately, the team is adding both midfielder Jader Obrian and center back Jose Antonio Martinez.
Outgoing midfielder Picault specialized on the left. Obrian made a time for himself in Colombia on the right. That’s where Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez has been playing midfielder Ryan Hollingshead. Expect either Obrian or Hollingshead to take Picault’s old spot on the left.
Obrian’s Colombian team, Aguilas Dorados, frequently placed him in that same position in the lineup. But they expected him to work as an attacking midfielder. That’s a different specialty. There, Obrian scored 13 goals in 22 matches.
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In their Dec. 1 conference semi-final match against Seattle Sounders, there was a chance for Dallas to get a late equalizer in the 1-0 loss. Yet, the players got no shots on goal during the entire match.
The core of the team stayed sound throughout the match. The problem wasn’t in possession or passing accuracy. These statistically stayed equal.
So FC Dallas seeks just a few pieces that will put the team over the top next time. So an attacker like Obrian will get charged with making that happen. Maybe not just the equalizer, but the win if one more piece on defense works out. That’s where Martinez comes in.
His spot on defense would be where Bressen and Matt Hedges now play. While Obrian could start competing for a starting position right away, it’s unlikely Martinez will begin the season other than as a substitute.
Martinez found no playing time with SD Eibar in La Liga last season. When he last got a real chance to help anchor a squad, it was for Spanish Second Division side Granada CF. Three seasons ago, he started for them and helped the club earn promotion to the top flight.
Last season, he started 13 of 20 games for them. He got three starts in Copa Del Rey matches. It’s doubtful Martinez has much chance of putting Hedges on the bench. But he might have a shot at Bressen’s position. If he shows equal ability at left-back, he could replace John Nelson easier.
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So next season get ready right away to Jader Obrian helping FC Dallas attackers score early and often in MLS. You won’t see Jose Antonio Martinez on the Dallas backline at the beginning of next season. But he’ll be anxious to start earning his keep as soon as possible. FC Dallas supporters will enjoy it when he does.