FC Dallas

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The transfer window closes on April 23 for Major League Soccer.

In recent days, Matt Doyle dropped a bunch of words on the mothership about what every Western Conference team needs in Major League Soccer.

Tom Bogert did likewise at GiveMeSports.

As usual, it’s a mix of quick takes, probably wrong, but thought-provoking as both weigh in on where teams stand with just a few days before everything comes to a halt.

Here is what Matt Doyle said about FC Dallas (and really, Tom echoes him):

First, it’s mostly spot on. Yes, FC Dallas has a formation quandary. In some ways, it’s also a personnel question. The dilemma has come up in every Afterburn pod we have done as we try to figure out this newly constructed team. No doubt, it keeps Eric Quill up at night. What are the right set of guys and the right ways to deploy them for maximum impact for this team?

We’ve seen Quill make adjustments, switching between the 4-2-3-1 to the 4-4-2 diamond. Recent results indicate there is promise in both lineups but also some downsides. Maybe it’s a situation that calls for patience, as again, these guys are still forming bonds. Maybe too it’s about the opponent they are lining up against. Or it might just be about getting some guys in rhythm.

All Eyes on Kaick

If Kaick can settle in and offer some consistency in midfield, he has already shown an ability to bring a different kind of athleticism and energy to this lineup. The Brazilian midfielder may solve the biggest issues with his ability to play as a single pivot or a much more active destroyer kind of role to protect the back line, snuff out attacks, and spring the counter. That would be a massive boost.

He’s young though and will have to beat out two veterans in Ramiro and Sebastian Lletget who are not going to roll over and concede a starting spot.

The good thing is - Kaick has time. No need to rush him.

All Eyes on the Wing

The other question in this lineup remains that wing position opposite Anderson Julio. We’d love to see one of the wingers grab that starting job with a scintillating performance. Bernard Kamungo, Léo Chú, and Logan Farrington all have a chance. Pedrinho has slid further down the depth chart despite showing a bit of promise early on.

I agree with Matt and Tom that Dallas doesn’t have a ton of wiggle room to add a player, but finding a winger in the summer transfer window, depending on whether or not you can move one or two guys, could help alleviate this issue. But, is it the number one issue? No.

The Biggest Need

If there is one clear need that can boost this team’s floor, FC Dallas should look to upgrade the center back position next to Osaze Urhoghide. Right now, Osaze has been an excellent signing for this team. They scouted him well and got an athletic, competitive, highly gifted center back who is likely going to increase his value as he gains more minutes and consistency with the team. Osaze is also becoming a vocal leader, something they needed with Nkosi Tafari sent packing to Los Angeles FC.

Next to him, Sebastian Ibeagha is certainly not the weak point alone in the back line. Don’t take me as blaming him for some of the defensive woes at the start of the season. We like Sebastian for his veteran presence on this team, bringing some glue and leadership to a squad that needs it. He brings some continuity in a year with much change too. He (mostly) doesn’t make huge mistakes either. Typically, you’d love Sebastian as No. 3 type guy, making less than what he is now.

We simply don’t see a competition for that spot next to Osaze from elsewhere in the squad (no direspect to Abubakar) and have been told by sources in the team that the team is looking for a center back come the summer transfer window.

With Ibeagha’s salary hit, I don’t know of a team that would be interested in trading for him outright.

Could we see FC Dallas grab a center back sooner? Maybe, but they might be more limited in the options available. You’d have to move a player or two to free up space, maybe a straight swap with someone in the league who wants to take a flyer on an attacker. Seeing the recent move by Columbus to grab attacker Daniel Gazdag from Philly, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

The clearest person in mind would be Léo Chú, a guy who has taken a few weeks to get his first look in the team, and while he has scored a goal, he’s not really looked like the answer on the wing. Maybe Léo provides some cover as a wing back, as he was employed in Seattle, but that doesn’t match the way Dallas is lining up. Does Chú have value to another team who might have an interesting center back we could build around? He’s only 25 and could be a fit elsewhere.

Could we imagine a straight swap somewhere in the league?

Or maybe the hope is that the team gets a couple of offers this summer for a player or two they can move on from, opening up space on the roster to bring in the long term partner next to Osaze?

Bottom line - while not out of the realm of possibility, FC Dallas probably remains quiet up to the closing of the transfer window this month, but Andre Zanotta and company are cooking up something nice this summer, especially if the team can keep in strong contention for a playoff run.

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