Image: FC Dallas
01/05/2022
FC Dallas has ended their silence during the off-season. In the first week of 2022, they've announced the expected departure of star striker Ricardo Pepi, a new contract for Ema Twumasi, and a new role for former interim coach Marco Ferruzzi. In addition to this, they're rumored to be pursuing another goalkeeper and midfielder. Today saw another big piece of news for Dallas as the Athletic reported that longtime player Jesus Ferreira has signed a huge, new contract making him a designated player. Here's a quick look at all this, beginning with the most positive bit of news, the Ferreira contract:
Jesus Ferreira's New Contract-
Image: FC Dallas
It was announced today via the Athletic and later by Buzz Carrick on 3rd Degree that homegrown Jesus Ferreira has signed a new contract with Dallas. At the end of 2019, he accepted a new contract that ran until 2023. The new one has four guaranteed years, and a club option for 2026.
The most surprising part of this new contract is the salary bump he'll receive. In 2021 it was reported that Ferreira earned $550k for the season, the reports for the new contract say that he'll be under $2,000,000 a season. The raise will give him designated player status and make him the second highest paid player on the roster, and the second player to earn over a million on the current team. (https://www.bigdsoccer.com/2021/10/20/22736719/updated-2021-fall-fc-dallas-player-salaries)
Ferreira began 2021 with a memorable performance with the USMNT in their 7-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Just before the MLS season began, Ferreira suffered an injury that sidelined him until June. Once he returned, he played a critical role for Dallas with his partnership with Ricardo Pepi. He ended the year with 8 goals and 9 assists. (https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jesus-ferreira/stats/)
FC Dallas hasn't done well with their designated players. If making Ferreira a DP ensures he stays with Dallas for several years, then it would be a good strategy for them to keep more of their promising talent.
Ricardo Pepi's Transfer-
Image: FC Dallas
The departure of Pepi was no surprise to supporters of the club. Despite hearing from FCD themselves that Pepi was in the plans for 2022, many knew that the young striker couldn't resist the call to Europe and that eventually the Hunts would receive a large offer for him.
Unlike the Bryan Reynolds' saga of January 2021, Pepi's move came quick. German club FC Augsburg reportedly paid $20 million for the striker, making him the most expensive homegrown transfer in MLS. In addition to the transfer money, Dallas added on a 10% sell-on fee should Augsburg later sell Pepi. (https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/4561308/usmnt-star-ricardo-pepi-completes-$20m-move-to-ausgburg-from-dallas)
His rise to stardom last season gave Dallas some positive attention in the media in an otherwise forgettable year. Pepi will be known as a club legend for his story with Dallas as well as his stellar 2021 season. Originally from El Paso, he moved to play for the FC Dallas academy in Frisco, eventually he signed for Dallas' USL League One side, North Texas Soccer Club and then finally for FC Dallas.
Ema Twumasi's Contract-
Image: FC Dallas
Yesterday it was announced that Ema Twumasi signed a new three year contract. The club will also hold options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. This deal gives some good insight into how Twumasi is viewed by the club. Towards the end of last season, Twumasi took on a larger role by starting frequently at right back. He ended the season with 23 games played, with 19 being starts. (https://www.fcdallas.com/news/fc-dallas-defender-ema-twumasi-signs-new-deal)
He'll be one to watch in 2022 as he'll look to continue his run from last year. Originally drafted in 2018, he's had a rough start to his MLS career but it looks like that may be behind him now.
Marco Ferruzzi's New Role-
Image: FC Dallas
In addition to the Twumasi news yesterday, FC Dallas also announced that longtime employee Marco Ferruzzi will be Dallas' first Director of Methodology. In his new role, Ferruzzi will look to ensure that Dallas uses a consistent development program, beginning at the FC Dallas youth all the way to the first team. More on his new role can be found here: (https://www.fcdallas.com/news/fc-dallas-names-marco-ferruzzi-director-of-methodology)
Transfer Rumors-
Image: Toros95
Finally there are two players that FC Dallas are rumored to be after. The first is midfielder Nicolae Stanciu. Two Romanian websites, Digiport.co and fanatik.ro have named FC Dallas as a club that is interested in the player.
The second player linked with Dallas recent is Valencia goalkeeper, Cristian Rivero. This move will supposedly be a loan. (https://www.bigdsoccer.com/fc-dallas-transfer-news-rumors/2022/1/3/22864772/report-fc-dallas-acquire-goalkeeper-cristian-rivero?utm_campaign=bigdsoccer&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter)
Both are only rumors so far. Rivero would be filling in a need for Dallas as they are now down to one goalkeeper, current starter Jimmy Maurer. The Valencia connection makes it seem likely as new coach Nico Estevez worked for Valencia for several years in the past.
The Stanciu rumor seems unlikely as Turkish club Galatasaray has been linked with him for several months now. Still, it's fun to look at rumors like this. (https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/super-lig/ce-spune-baskanul-lui-galatasaray-despre-transferul-lui-nicolae-stanciu-tratativele-continua-1193591)
FC Dallas has hit the ground running so far in this transfer window. They have several needs in the roster now and the addition of a new coach could change who their targets are now.
By Toros95
Twitter: Toros95
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