FC Dallas ended a 19-year trophy drought by defeating the New England Revolution 4-2 in the 103rd edition of the U.S. Open Cup, signaling a new era for the Frisco based club.
Dallas trounced New England with a squad that has the lowest average player salary in the league at $160,140. No matter, they’ve also accumulated the most points in MLS to date, leading supporters to dream of an unprecedented domestic treble (U.S. Open Cup, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup).
Having knocked off the U.S. Open Cup, Dallas’ priority shifts to the Shield, awarded to the club with the most regular season points. They currently sit alone atop the Western Conference standings with a four-point lead over the LA Galaxy (average player salary of $670,580), and they’ve accumulated five more points than Eastern Conference leaders Toronto FC (average player salary of $838,400).
The header! The goal! It's 2-1! #DTID #USOC2016 https://t.co/mmD0xTV1U2
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) September 14, 2016
How have FC Dallas managed to be the best team in MLS throughout 2016 while disrupting every preconceived notion regarding roster anatomy in the league? In MLS, doesn’t the Designated Player, the ordained star, reign supreme? In Tuesday night’s final, that was the case for FC Dallas.
However, Dallas’ own DP differs greatly from what you might find in Toronto or at New York City FC. Dallas DP Mauro Diaz, who’s guaranteed $466,00 in 2016, comes in at 56th in the league’s top earners table.
He contributed a goal and three assists from his attacking midfield role against New England, the Revs simply unable to deal with the attacking talents of the 25-year-old Argentine. Diaz was prized away from Argentina giants River Plate having represented Argentina at the U20 level. He’s now in his fourth year with the Toros.
Looking at the rest of the Dallas roster for the Open Cup final, a couple of other things immediately stick out:
- Of the 14 FC Dallas players to see action on Tuesday, four were selected in the MLS SuperDraft by the club: RB Ryan Hollingshead (2nd round, 2013), CB Walker Zimmerman (1st round, 2013), CB Matt Hedges (1st round, 2012), ST Tesho Akindele (1st round, 2014)
- Two more are designated as Home Grown Players, products of FC Dallas’ own academy: CM Victor Ulloa and CDM Kellyn Acosta.
- While the players used by FC Dallas hail from many different countries, they’re all products of the Americas. The United States, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago were all represented by Dallas, but it’s a distinct blend of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Defensively, Dallas are largely American. Going forward, Dallas utilize a distinctly South and Central American flair.
Maxi on target!!! https://t.co/9kiyBhvgwE
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) September 14, 2016
- The average age for Dallas was 24, even when including the outliers of Mauro Rosales (35) and Maynor Figueroa (33).
- Dallas invest heavily in youth, their two highest paid players, Diaz and Carlos Gruezo, are 25 and 21 years old. Meanwhile, they pay very little for two of their most experienced veterans: Rosales, who’s appeared 10 times for Argentina ($62,500) and Figueroa, who played with Wigan Athletic and Hull City in the Premier League ($115,000).
FC Dallas obviously do things differently than the likes of Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando. Dallas are pointing the way forward for player development in MLS. The endless dialogue surrounding the notion that MLS, at this point, is unable to develop a star player is quelled when watching this Dallas side.
We simply refuse to acknowledge the growth of the likes of Walker Zimmerman, Matt Hedges and Kellyn Acosta when the secret behind their success advocates for MLS. The development of Christian Pulisic and Bobby Wood abroad confirms a narrative that's more readily acceptable to American soccer fans (go abroad, test yourself in a difficult league), but FC Dallas are well on their way to disrupting the status quo.
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