2020 & FC Dallas
With the team making it into the playoffs the prior year and being eliminated in a tightly contested match against eventual MLS Cup champions the Seattle Sounders, the 2020 MLS season was supposed one full of positivity for FC Dallas. With a squad full of young talent with the likes of Paxton Pomykal, Jesus Ferreira, and Reggie Cannon just to name a few, along with bringing in veteran reinforcements like Fafa Picault and Thiago Santos; 2020 was going to be a season where we were supposed to see FCD take the next step in becoming a real contender for MLS Cup. With a year of experience as head coach, Luchi was looking to build on last year.
It all seems so long ago but we were able to watch 2 matches (both at home); a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union and a 2-2 draw versus the Montreal Impact. Unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to the season which was supposed to start back up July 8th in Orlando (at time of me writing this). On the lead up to the “MLS is Back Cup”, I was looking forward to the tournament especially after the summer transfer of Franco Jara who came on a pre-arranged contract from Pachuca in Liga MX. As the days passed by and the tournament got closer, there were reports that a few players had tested positive for the virus and followed protocols to be quarantined. Then the club made the trip out to Orlando and as the days continued to pass by more FCD players tested positive which lead the club from being withdrawn from the tournament all together.
As a FCD fan, there was mixed emotions when news came out that FC Dallas had to be withdrawn from the tournament. Frustrated that this was able to happen. Embarrassed with the entire situation. Concerned with the player’s health, I do hope everyone makes a full recovery as health should absolutely take priority over sport. I do have questions on how this was able to happen. Did players not take the proper precautions? Were the club unknowingly exposed to virus somewhere along the trip to Orlando? For myself, watching the tournament won’t be as enjoyable without being able to watch Dallas play.
Hopefully everything works out for Dallas in the coming months but there should be concerns. The players haven’t played in months and it will be interesting to see how this team plays if the MLS season continues after the MLS Is Back Tournament.
I will end this blog post on a positive, North Texas Soccer Club begins play in USL League 1 on July 18th so it will be interesting to see if FCD sends any players down to get some playing time.
