PANAMA CITY, Panama – FC Dallas’ 2012 opponents best to take heed: El Super Ratón ("Mighty Mouse") is on the way.
While his nickname might not inspire fear in the hearts of MLS teams across the continent, defenses will need to be aware of new FCD addition Blas Pérez. The Panamanian has scored goals at every stop of a long career, with shifts in Colombia, Mexico, Spain and Dubai. And his gamesmanship – as well as strength on the ball – has seen him get the better of both Geoff Cameron and Tim Ream in his country's last two meetings with the US.
“It’s a new challenge in my career,” Pérez told MLSsoccer.com after Panama’s 1-0 friendly loss to the US on Wednesday night. “I have to adapt as fast as possible – it’s another type of soccer, another culture.”
Pérez has spent the last four years on the books at current Mexican champs Tigres UANL. That stay included five loans, including a spell at Al-Wasl in the United Arab Emirates.
But while the MLS adaptation process might take a while for a player used to the Mexican style, Pérez’s large frame and solid build should help him get used to the physicality of his new league more quickly than other recent striking imports from the Mexican Primera División.
“I know MLS from the friendly matches we’ve played,” he said. “I’ve been in Mexico for a long time, so I know the level they have [in MLS]. It’s an important challenge for me and I’m going to take it head on. Going to a new league shouldn’t affect me. I’ve been outside the country playing for a long time, and I know everything depends on me, on my professionalism and the idea of building a future in MLS.”
Pérez said he doesn’t know much about his new coaches, and he hasn’t met many players yet. But he expects the transition into the Dallas team to be quick given the support structures awaiting him there. For one thing, he met Brek Shea Wednesday night on the field at Estadio Rommel Fernández.
“I haven’t spoken with the coaches, but tomorrow I go to Dallas, and I hope everything is ready to go,” he said. “I have a teammate from the Panamanian team, there are lots of Latinos and I’ve played with Brek Shea now. I know David Ferreira and the Colombians, so adaptation is no problem.”
The forward will be traveling to Dallas alongside Panamanian teammate Carlos Rodríguez, a left back who also signed with FCD in recent weeks. Like other Panamanians, Pérez sees the moves as part of an emerging trend for his countrymen.
“In Panama, we have lots of good players,” Pérez explained. “[MLS] is opening doors for us, and now we’re headed there to open more doors for Panamanians to play in MLS.”
