FC DALLAS
LAST YEAR: 11-12-11 (15th overall, 8th in Western Conference)
WHO’S BACK: D Kellyn Acosta, F Tesho Akindele, D Jair Benitez, F Fabian Castillo, M Mauro Diaz, G Raul Fernandez, D Matt Hedges, M Andrew Jacobson, D George John, D Stephen Keel, D Zach Loyd, M Peter Luccin, D Michel, F Blas Perez, G Chris Seitz, M Je-Vaughn Watson, D London Woodberry, D Walker Zimmerman
WHO’S GONE: F Kenny Cooper, F David Ferreira, F Eric Hassli, D Ugo Ihemelu
WHO’S NEW: Coach Oscar Pareja, F Andres Escobar, M Adam Moffat, M Brian Span, F David Texeira, M Hendry Thomas
WHAT’S AHEAD: Pareja left Colorado after two seasons to rejoin the team he was with for eight years as a player and several more as an assistant coach and youth development director. He takes over for Schellas Hyndman, the highly successful former SMU coach who led FC Dallas to its only appearance in the MLS Cup but missed the playoffs the past two seasons. Perez led FC Dallas in scoring the past two years and won’t be away with Panama this season. He should get some offensive help from Castillo and newcomer Texeira. Thomas comes over from the Rapids with Pareja and could help stabilize a back line that has struggled since the departure of former SMU star Daniel Hernandez. FC Dallas decided to move on without Cooper, a Dallas high school product, and Ferreira, one of the most prolific scorers in league history. Diaz, who joined FC Dallas in the middle of last season, is seen as the player who has to pick up where Ferreira left off.
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