FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas remain as one of only four teams that have yet to make a single player acquisition so far this offseason, but don't let that fool you, says head coach Schellas Hyndman. The team has still been incredibly busy identifying and reaching out to new talent.
“Even though there hasn’t been a lot of movement, it’s not through a lack of effort or energy,” Hyndman told MLSsoccer.com this week. “We have been very active.”
Hyndman notes the team has formulated a well-developed plan for the offseason. The signing of captain Daniel Hernandez to a three year player-coach contract was the first piece, setting the stage for their inactivity in the Re-Entry Draft.
“If we didn’t have Daniel locked up, I think there might have been one or two players that we would have definitely pursued,” said Hyndman.
The team’s next focus is on the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 12, in which FCD hold the 11th overall selection. The team has put considerable resources into scouting the collegiate game over the past few months, attending conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament since season’s end.
All indications from Hyndman point to the signing of international talent this offseason. Though the team scouts and coaches have not traveled internationally, the manager feels confident the club will finish some of the discussed deals.
“We’ve watched a lot of videos, talked to agents and players, talked to clubs,” said Hyndman. “We’ve seen the players before that we are interested in getting. It’s not like a player that we’ve only seen the video – we’ve seen them in action as well.”
Hyndman is keeping his cards close to his chest as far as names, but the team’s exposure to international talent in CONCACAF Champions League play may offer a hint. A report out of Panama circulated last month linking FC Dallas with two Tauro FC defenders, captain Luis Moreno and Carlos Rodríguez. Moreno was especially impressive in each match, scoring in both a 1-1 draw in Frisco and a 5-3 victory in Panama.
The Dallas boss declined to comment on any specific players, but said the team undoubtedly will be busy over the next few months.
“We’re trying to make those things happen so that we can go out and fulfill our plan,” said Hyndman. “A plan without an action is a hallucination.”
GK Lambo unlikely to return
As many have speculated, it appears that Generation adidas goalkeeper Josh Lambo will not return to the team in 2012. Lambo served as the third ‘keeper this season behind Kevin Hartman and Chris Seitz. However, the team is focusing on the development of Home Grown talent Richard Sanchez, the 17-year-old who started in net for the U-17 World Cup champions Mexico.
“I think Richard will be our No. 3 'keeper,” said Hyndman, leaving little room for the 21-year-old Lambo on the roster. “Richard plays with the Academy, so he is getting his games. He’s training every day with the first team and he’ll be getting reserve games. I think he is right on the path where we want him to be.”
Lambo was drafted by FC Dallas in the first round of the 2008 SuperDraft and has yet to appear in an MLS game.
