There’s no question that missing the playoffs for FC Dallas is disappointing. Both Dan Hunt and Andre Zanotta reiterated at the time of June’s coaching change they believe their roster is playoff caliber. With nine teams coming out of each conference, it’s not an unfair supposition.

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Alas, reality had other plans for the Toros this year as they’ll miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Change looms over Frisco with a managerial decision to be made along with the news of the massive stadium renovations beginning this offseason.

With the winter fast approaching, faster than FC Dallas supporters wanted, it’s time for looking forward not back. The 2025 campaign won’t officially start until next February, but the planning and analysis begins now.

This will be the first in a series that breaking down the club as it goes into another pivotal offseason. This part features all the players whose contracts are either expiring or have options. As always this analysis contains no inside information, just educated guessing.

All contract and salary information will come from the MLS Club Roster Profiles Fall 2024 edition and the MLS Players Salary Guide. All stats are courtesy of FBRef and are current as of 10/3/24 unless otherwise stated.

Senior Roster

Eugene Ansah

A summer window signing in 2023 from Israel, Ansah has 24 games and five starts for Dallas in league play with two goals in that span. There’s an option on his contract for 2025 and his 2024 Guaranteed Compensation was $702,833.

Based on production or lack thereof and his current spot further down the Dallas bench, the odds on his option being picked up are slim. There’s a world where the team declines it and re-negotiates a more reasonable number, but based on other factors Ansah’s future likely isn’t in Frisco.

Patrickson

The Swiss army midfielder is on loan from Independiente del Valle in his home nation of Ecuador. Soon to be 21, Patrickson has 21 starts and 14 appearances with four goals and two assists. His Guaranteed Compensation is $176,280.

Per the FC Dallas release in January, there is a buy option on his deal. Without knowing what the number is, it feels safe projecting Dallas will activate that option. Patrickson has shown plenty of skills that can be developed, and as long as the option is of reasonable size his salary fits well into what Dallas wants to do going forward.

Liam Fraser

Another 2023 summer signing Fraser ends up with 25 matches and 21 starts generating a goal and an assist. He’s currently on the Season Ending Injury list after surgery to repair an adductor tendon and sports hernia. Fraser’s Guaranteed Compensation is $227,750, and there’s an option for 2025.

Fraser’s status could go a lot of ways. He won’t turn 26 until next February, meaning there’s potential for some growth albeit it not as much as say Patrickson. His pairing with Asier Illarramendi was decent, and this season’s injury crisis could spur Dallas stocking up on midfielders. His performance wouldn’t likely constitute a raise of any substantial number, so he’s not a cap casualty candidate.

Even so my prediction is Fraser has played his last game in Frisco. With Paxton Pomykal slated back next season, Manuel “Show” Cafumana on loan through next summer, and another player we’ll get to shortly hopefully returning Fraser could just be the odd man out. If the club feels they want a veteran presence for the bench, his return isn’t impossible. It wouldn’t be shocking if Dallas went into the market this winter for a midfielder, and filled the back end of that position with Homegrowns.

Sebastien Ibeagha

One of Dallas’ starting center backs, Ibeagha has 60 appearances and 55 starts for the Toros. He’s notched three goals and an assist in that tenure, with a $683,625 Guaranteed Compensation. His contract has a pair of options for both 2025 and 2026.

Another difficult decision for the FC Dallas brain trust. Center back is arguably the weakest position on the field for Dallas, especially as they transitioned to a three man backline this season. Ibeagha will be 33 going into next season, and has been reliable if nothing else.

My gut tells me Ibeagha will play for Dallas next season, be that on a straight option pickup or decline and re-negotiate. There’s a good amount of value in having Ibeagha available for selection, whether he’s a first choice or not. If he’s not on the squad next year, a suitable replacement (if not two) will be mandatory.

Asier Illarramendi

A huge piece of Dallas’ teams when successful since 2023, Illarra has played 34 games starting 25 notching two goals and four assists. His Guaranteed Compensation is $549,750 and his deal expires after the season.

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. As long as Illarra wants to play, Dallas should make sure he’s doing it for them. The contrast in how well the team plays with and without him is stark. Yes he’ll be 35 in March, but so far that hasn’t seemed to matter. His fitness levels are impeccable, often covering the most ground of any player on the pitch. Dallas should be planning for post Illarra life now, but if he is willing to come back he should be here.

Sam Junqua

Dallas’ utility player now has 51 matches and 33 starts, most for any club in his career, with three goals and two assists. Junqua’s Guaranteed Compensation is $212,368 and he’s got an option for 2025.

This one feels a no brainer pick up. Junqua will be 28 in November and has been a great fit in Frisco since his arrival in 2023. He plays multiple positions with competence and his salary number is super reasonable. I’d even be OK with just forgetting the options and extending him out a couple years.

This year Junqua has 24 starts in large part due to squad injuries, looking the part in just about all of them. There’s an argument to make that you don’t want him starting that many games, and it’s valid. With better roster construction and less injuries, that’s an easy reality to achieve. Either way Junqua has earned himself a place on the squad for the foreseeable future.

Ruan

A late add for Dallas via trade with Montreal, the 29 year old veteran has 31 matches played and 29 starts for both his squads this season. In those matches he’s got a combined two goals and three assists. His deal expires at the end of the season, and his Guaranteed Compensation is $440,000.

When this draft was first written, bringing Ruan back felt a must. That’s changed some in the interim. Ruan does provide something Dallas doesn’t have, which is competent wing back play. When he’s on his game, he’s been a spark plug that’s added what you wanted from the position. Injuries have derailed the back end of his Frisco tenure.

On the other hand we’ve seen other clubs find wing backs elsewhere. If Dallas wants to use that style going forward, they’ll be in the market for them anyway because the depth at the position is non-existent. Who says they can’t find younger, cheaper, and better options abroad that could endanger Ruan’s status?

All that said my instincts say bring Ruan back if only for depth. A veteran MLS player could help offset a youth movement. You know what Ruan can bring, and if you do bring in other wing backs having him as a mentor has value. If the price gets too high, that probably excludes Ruan from future plans. If it’s reasonable, it’s easy to imagine him back in 2025.

Dante Sealy

A former high level prospect for the Toros, Sealy has 27 games and 11 starts since returning from his Jong PSV loan last summer. In that time he’s provided one goal and no assists. His Guaranteed Compensation for this year is $297,787 and he has options for both 2025 and 2026.

There’s no easy way to say it: it’s not happening for Sealy in Frisco. The young man has the physical gifts, but just hasn’t put the puzzle together yet. That doesn’t mean he never will; he won’t turn 22 until next April. For whatever reason however it’s not working here. The last time Sealy started for Dallas was in Kansas City on June 22nd, a game Dallas was rotating for ahead of the Open Cup quarterfinals a couple days later. Since then he’s played a total of 10 minutes.

Both Luccin and former manager Nico Estévez gave Sealy chances, but he didn’t seize on them as they would hope. This has all the markings of a “change of scenery” situation for the young attacker. Someone else will and should give him a chance, but the clock is ticking down at Toyota Stadium.

Nkosi Tafari

Dallas’ top center back is on pace to match his 2023 numbers with 28 matches and 25 starts in 2024. Tafari’s knocked home three goals with no assists, and has a Guaranteed Compensation of $347,750. He’s got option years for 2025 and 2026.

This should be a no brainer. Tafari is without question Dallas’ best defender, and his status on the club shouldn’t be in doubt. That’s where this all gets weird. At times under both Estévez and Luccin Tafari has been pulled from starting for coach’s decisions, in the former’s case explicitly due to performance.

Without question Tafari is underpaid relative to his production, and in a perfect world he’d earn a contract extension that keeps him in Frisco for the next several years. It’d also be prudent to get him a center back partner of similar quality. Considering how much the position has been an issue for Dallas as of late, Tafari isn’t likely going anywhere. You’d be forgiven however if you didn’t have a nagging thought in the back of your mind that something isn’t quite right regarding this situation.

Ema Twumasi

Dallas’ first round pick in 2018, Twumasi has 18 appearances and 13 starts this season. He’s got no goals and an assist in that span and a Guaranteed Compensation of $389,300. Twumasi’s contract has a pair of options for 2025 and 2026.

You could talk me into just about any scenario for Twumasi. In a world where Dallas abandons the three man back line, Twumasi isn’t going anywhere. He and Ruan can be a more than serviceable duo at that spot, with Junqua moonlighting and Geovane Jesus eventually returning from his ACL injury.

If they don’t however Twumasi’s future feels more clouded. His cameo in the Earthquakes loss was his first MLS appearance since July 20th with his last start was July 17th. Wing back nor center back isn’t a great fit for the Ghana native, and based on his usage Dallas seems to agree. If Twumasi does depart after this season, it’ll be less because of what he can do and more about what Dallas wants to do.

Supplemental Roster

Antonio Carrera

Dallas’ homegrown keeper prospect didn’t make it into a game with the first team this season. He spent time on loan with North Carolina FC in USL Championship before being re-called and getting starts with North Texas Soccer Club. Carrera has options for 2025 and 2026, with a 2024 Guaranteed Compensation of $144,519.

There’s zero chance Carrera’s option will be declined, the question will be where does he fit. If current backup Jimmy Mauer hangs it up this offseason, Carrera becomes the heir apparent to his position. In the unlikely outcome that Mauer retires and starter Maarten Paes is sold, there’s a potential pathway for Carrera to enter 2025 as the number one in net. Those are all later concerns. Carrera’s future is bright, and in the immediate term it’s in Frisco.

Herbert Endeley

The former first round pick out of Indiana played in four games for FC Dallas, with one start before being relegated to second team duty. Endeley has options for 2025 and 2026, and his Guaranteed Compensation this year was $71,401.

Endeley’s 2024 took a strange arc. After being a standout in training camp, he started the season opener and never got another start with the first team. His relatively low cost means he’s a decent candidate to return, especially if Dallas wants to continue playing wing backs. This one is a decent mystery, with a lot of potential options.

Logan Farrington

Dallas’ breakout rookie sensation, the third overall pick in the 2024 Draft has four goals and five assists in 28 matches and 10 starts. Farrington has options all the way through 2027, and his Guaranteed Compensation in 2024 was $71,401.

Stating the obvious: Farrington isn’t going anywhere. Whether Dallas just picks up his option or even negotiate a non rookie deal for him this offseason, the Big Dawg has found his home. He’s a crucial part of the Dallas offense, and looks to be a building block for years.

Omar Gonzalez

The veteran center back had 15 appearances and 10 starts for FC Dallas, racking up 837 minutes in his age 35 season. Gonzalez has an option for 2025 after a Guaranteed Compensation of $114,716.

It’s easy and accurate to say Gonzalez overachieved in his first season with his hometown club. The question now is will he or the club want to expand that partnership to a second season. That’s the discussion to be had in the coming weeks, and either way wouldn’t shock me. Gonzalez is a great leader, bringing lots of knowledge and experience to a locker room that will likely get younger heading into 2025. Having him around would be an asset, even if he gets into less games next year.

Amet Korca

The 24 year old center back didn’t appear with the first team at all in 2024. A regular for North Texas SC, he’s also dealt with injuries during the season. His 2024 Guaranteed Compensation is $71,401 and he’s got an option for 2025.

A path to the first team is hard to envision for Korca, after not getting in at all this year. If he was brought back to the organization, it’d likely be as a North Texas regular. With the way Dallas cycles talent through their second side, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Korca moving on to a new path.

Jimmy Maurer

Dallas’ erstwhile backup keeper has three starts on the season, including a pair of gems against both Vancouver and Portland. Maurer is completely free after 2024 with his Guaranteed Compensation this year at $113,716.

Maurer has been great for Dallas in his tenure. He’s been the starter, the backup, and this year even taking on some front office duties as a Player Development Executive. In addition Maurer has been accumulating coaching licenses and doing secondary education. All signs seem to point to this being his finale. If so, hopefully Dallas does everything they can to keep him in the family. Be it on the the touchline or the front office, the club is better when Jimmy Maurer is involved.

Tsiki Ntsabeleng

Tsiki underwent a renaissance under interim coach Peter Luccin. 24 appearances and 11 starts for the South African, with a goal and an assist. Ntsabeleng has a Guaranteed Compensation of $89,716 and an option for 2025.

2024 is a tale of two seasons for Tsiki. After minimal impact prior to the coaching change, he came to life under Luccin’s guidance. His importance in building during the attack, helping maintain possession, and being a super versatile player makes him a no brainer to return in 2025 especially if Luccin earns the full time job. With only one option year left, opening up full time contract talks would be a smart move for the front office.

Part 2 of FC Dallas 2025 will examine the players under longer term contracts and their futures with the club.

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