Here's the list of who Dallas kept and let go- FCD - IN: Tesho Akindele, Mauro Diaz, Jacori Hayes, Ryan Hollingshead, Victor Ulloa and Walker Zimmerman. OUT: Carlos Cermeño, Eduardo “Pollo” Cortes, Hernan Grana, Cariaco Gonzalez, Aaron Guillen, Atiba Harris, Walker Hume and Javier Morales were not exercised. Harris also qualifies for MLS free agency. The options for Coy Craft and Maynor Figueroa also were not exercised. However, FC Dallas continues to work with Craft and Figueroa on new deals for the 2018 season. The following players are already under contract for the 2018 season: Kellyn Acosta, Michael Barrios, Reggie Cannon, Anibal Chala, Cristian Colman, Jesus Ferreira, Jesse Gonzalez, Carlos Gruezo, Matt Hedges, Roland Lamah, Paxton Pomykal, Adonijah Reid, Bryan Reynolds and Maxi Urruti.
Not gonna miss Grana. Harris hinted that he might stay on as part of Pareja's staff instead of playing in 2018.
Seems like what I expected............................... I thought based on age that we weren't going to re-sign Figueroa, but won't mind another year of him. I'm still looking at the possibility of losing a guy in the expansion draft, because we're going to have to leave some good players exposed. Tesho? Hollingshead?
How does this work? Their options were declined, so they are no longer FCD players. How does FCD sign them to new deals? Doesn't the league now own their rights? I would suspect that Figueroa's new deal would reflect his role as a bench player, but what about Craft's new deal? He looked too raw whenever I saw him play.
There is some negotiated way in which there are rounds that players and teams negotiate but for a lower salary. Player doesn't have to agree and can opt out of the whole process. Seems a fairly good way for players to stay where they are wanted and have roots but at a new salary that is a better fit for their production. If they play better in the future they will get raises. BTW, on Big D soccer someone opined that Craft may make a good outside back and that intrigues me. He's big, strong, fast and can cross. He's not that tricky which is why he has had trouble at winger and forward. If he can play defense he could make that transition and next year be a backup to challenge Cannon and Hollingshead. He could be the new Attiba and even eventually see some time at CB in emergencies.
Basically, under the current CBA, if you are out of contract and under a certain length of tenure in the league, the team retains your rights. BTW, I'm sure I just explained that really badly, and I'm pretty sure that someone here can explain it better.
It maybe good for Craft to be flexible. After 3 years as a professional, to remain as raw as he appears to me is no good. I'm not sure about playing more converted outside backs. To me, Craft may be a starting player for FCD-II in the USL if that ever happens.
Both are good guys too. That matters doesn't it? I ask that because sometimes the best players are a-holes and sometimes good team are full of them. I'd really rather win with the good guys but know it doesn't always happen.
Yup. Although I'm not sure he's going to be protected for the expansion draft........................(unless there are further roster moves to go prior to that.) And he's the kind of player you can see LAFC rolling the dice on.
FCDs list of protected players for the expansion draft: https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2017/...eleven-players-ahead-2018-mls-expansion-draft Rolling the dice that the salaries/contracts for Chala/Lamah won't generate interest.......................
Also, the list of unrestricted free agents has been released. Based on the thin nature of our current squad, a number of these players could prove useful. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/10/list-mls-free-agents-2018-season If I'm looking at our thin defense, for instance...................why don't we bring Drew Moor home?
Did go to a couple of USOC finals By the way, just as a depressing reminder: We traded Drew Moor, allocation money, and a draft pick for..........................Ugo Ihemelu. I think he'd be a great partner for Hedges. He could also be an insurance policy for right back if Reggie Cannon shows he needs a little more time...................... De La Garza would also provide versatility all across the backline.
Reports out of Toronto indicate they're very likely to bring Moor back. Due to cap considerations, Beitashour isn't so lucky. Would be a good pickup for our left back problem........................(as we've seen that the club offered Chala to Liga de Quito on transfer)
I'm about 40% interested in the 2018 season at this point. Bringing in veteran MLS utility players would knock my interest level to about 20% Soccer is a tough love.
According to this, Fidel Martinez is staying put at Atlas: https://www.eluniverso.com/deportes...ivo-dice-que-martinez-le-queda-debiendo-atlas "Por falta de ofertas, durante el régimen de transferencias del fútbol mexicano, la dirigencia del Atlas de Guadalajara decidió que el delantero ecuatoriano Fidel Martínez se mantenga en el club la próxima temporada."