CF Montréal Desperate? Ruan Discarded as FC Dallas Bets Big

CF Montréal decided to part ways with one of their key assets on the right flank, the Brazilian Ruan. But was this move a sign of desperation or a strategic play? And is FC Dallas betting all their chips on a player who still has much to prove?

Let’s break down this trade that could reshape the future of both clubs in the league. Ruan, a seasoned right-back with 150 MLS games under his belt, along with 6 goals and 27 assists, is now set to wear the FC Dallas jersey. In return, CF Montréal will initially receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for 2024 and could pocket an additional $100,000 in conditional GAM for 2025 if certain conditions are met.

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Why would CF Montréal let go of a player with Ruan’s experience at such a critical moment? Could this trade be a reflection of their desperation to find quick fixes in a season that's increasingly challenging? Or perhaps it's a way to free up some salary space to invest in new prospects that might bring a fresh spark to the team?

It’s hard to overlook the fact that Ruan is already a veteran in the league, having also played for Orlando City SC and D.C. United. At 29, Ruan might not have the same physical edge he did when he first set foot on American soil in 2019. But experience matters—a lot, especially in a league where consistency is golden.

For FC Dallas, Ruan’s arrival is more than just adding another player to the roster. It’s an attempt to bolster a weakened area, with starter Geovane Jesus sidelined due to an ACL injury. In a competition where matches are often decided by fine margins, having a strong bench can make all the difference between glory and failure. And that’s exactly the bet FC Dallas is making by bringing Ruan on board. They believe he could be the missing piece to stabilize the defense and, who knows, help the team climb up the standings, where they currently sit in 11th place, but in the Western Conference.

At first glance, the deal might seem risky for Dallas, especially given the money involved. $150,000 in GAM isn’t a trivial amount, especially when the return on investment is uncertain.

On the other hand, by parting with Ruan, CF Montréal signals that they’re banking on fresh blood to turn their season around. With the recent signings of Dawid Bugaj and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, the team appears to be in a frantic search for solutions that can bring back the competitiveness they’ve lost.

Interestingly, both teams—CF Montréal and FC Dallas—find themselves in identical positions within their respective conferences. Both are in 11th place, both are out of playoff contention, and both are desperate for a spark to ignite their path to victory. The Ruan trade, in this context, might be seen as the shot in the dark that both teams decided to take in an attempt to save a season that seems to be slipping through their fingers.

The pressure is on both sides. For CF Montréal, they need to justify the trade and show that they have a plan for the $150,000 that might be coming their way. And for FC Dallas, they now bear the responsibility of getting the most out of the experienced Ruan, turning this gamble into a winning goal.