FC Dallas and the designated player

By: Robert | August 21st, 2007

(This is part three of a two part series: part one, part two)

Now that signing deadline has finally passed its time to look back at FC Dallas’ designated player decision (or lack thereof if you see it that way.) The Hoops along with most of MLS opted against bringing in a big name player for this years championship run and hopefully next season’s title reign. They say that sometimes the best deals are the ones that aren’t made and for the Hoops, GM Mitch Hitchcock and Coach Steve Murrow have made the best non-deal for the team possible.

When management looks to change to the roster it’s because they feel there is a weakness or deficiency that needs to be addressed that can’t be corrected through better coaching and training. But a look at the FC Dallas register fails to highlight any flaws or shortcomings that would warrant a major signing. Every fan would love their team to be outfitted with the likes of Christiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney (without the foot injury) but for an organization without access to coffers the likes of Roman Abramovich, FC Dallas has built a very well-rounded side. The only real problem for the Hoops this season has been their insistence on using a Hollywood Upstairs Medical College graduate, Dr. Nick Riviera, as the team physician (although in Canada they want their doctors to emulate him and not Dr. Hibbert which might explain Toronto FC’s struggles this season.)

The Hoops have speed, players who can finish and a physical presence in the box, they have playmakers and play destroyers, they have guys whom by themselves can outwork some opposing teams and guys at the back whom as a team outwork the sum of themselves and almost as a bonus they have two very solid goal keepers. Designated players should be brought in to fill a void while the existing players are molded around their talents; but for the Hoops no such void exists and any player brought in would be a complimentary piece to the puzzle not one that would change the team framework. To use an obtuse analogy it’s okay to spend big money on a solid foundation, but not on a paint job that would just make the walls look good. And as talented as Denìlson is all he would have been in a Hoop jersey is a gorgeous eggshell white or a soothing taupe, nothing he would have brought to Dallas would “slabjack” or “pier” the foundation (foundation repair terms) that Mitch Hitchcock and Steve Murrow have built.

I know people out there would loved to have FC Dallas bring in a big name player to help raise MLS and Hoop awareness, but games are won on the field not on the t-shirt rack; anyone of that stature brought into the fold on this team would have been more for vanity purposes than changing any aspect of the team’s play and that just doesn’t make sense, not in Dallas where the FC doesn’t stand for “foolish call-ups.”

HOOPS PRIDE!

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