FC Dallas announced on Friday that they have signed 21-year-old defender Carlos Rodríguez (above, right) from Panamanian side Tauro FC after facing him twice during the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2011.
Per league and team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed. The deal is pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
“We liked what we saw in him during Champions League last year,” FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said in a statement. “He’s athletic with a good work ethic and he’s young at 21 years old. He can play both left and right side fullback and is attack-minded. We were looking for another player to give us balance and depth in our defense, and I believe Carlos will do very well in MLS.”
Rodríguez picked up one assist for Tauro FC during the tournament and created multiple chances for his side in two matches against FC Dallas in Panama and at FC Dallas Stadium.
He appeared in two friendlies for the Panama national team last year, earning caps against Paraguay on Sept. 2 and Costa Rica on Nov. 11. Rodríguez is on the roster for Panama’s friendly match with the US national team scheduled for Jan. 25 in Panama City, Panama.
FC Dallas’ Brek Shea and Zach Loyd will be representing the US in that match, while new addition Blas Pérez will also feature for Panama. That game will kick off from Estadio Rommel Fernández at 8:30 pm ET and will air live on Galavisión and ESPN3.
