Can Daniel Solve FC Dallas' Goalkeeper Problem?
With the summer transfer window just under a week from opening, all eyes are on FC Dallas as they hope to buttress their roster for a second half sprint. With multiple transfer needs already detailed Dallas has plenty to do when the window opens July 13th.
Sam Hale
Lost in the shuffle of the World Cup was the news that the Burn are reportedly addressing one of those needs:
🏴 Sources: San Jose Earthquakes closing in on a deal to sign Scotland int'l GK Angus Gunn. 🇧🇷 Sources: FC Dallas has agreed to a deal to acquire GK Daniel from San Jose. ➕ Daniel trade is contingent on Gunn signing being formalized.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) July 1, 2026 at 11:34 AM
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While this specific transaction was unexpected, this could solve a huge problem for Dallas. Let's talk about how, why, and what could keep this deal from happening.
Why hasn't this deal happened yet?
As Bogert notes, this is a conditional trade. If/when the Quakes get Gunn signed, then Daniel will be traded to Dallas. This is common in the greater soccer world, just not so much here in North America. Teams will agree to a deal while one party looks for either a replacement or a desired target, the latter being San Jose's prerogative.
Gunn is a free agent, having been let go from Premier League side Nottingham Forest in June. A big part of Scotland's World Cup squad, Gunn started all three of the Tartan Army's group stages matches. The reason the Quakes deal isn't done yet? Well:
Nathan Ridley
It appears San Jose is now in a battle with English giant Man United for Gunn's signature. The difference appears to be San Jose wants Gunn starting, while the Red Devils eye the Scot as their backup. Financially United can outspend the Quakes, so it'll come down to what opportunity Gunn finds better for his career.
If Gunn decides to make Manchester his home, none of this will matter. Since Gunn hasn't signed with United yet, one would think San Jose has a good chance of getting his deal across the line. As soon as that happens, Daniel will arrive in Frisco.
How does Daniel fit with Dallas?
Should Daniel become a Toro, he'll become the undisputed #1 keeper. Here's his 2026 player card:
As noted above, g+ for Daniel has him 7th across 32 qualified MLS keepers. Among other advance stats Daniel ranks as follows:
-5th in G-xGA
-5th in Goals Prevented
-7th in Net G+% (Net goals added percentile rank)
-9th in Saves in Box per match
In all those stats, Daniel ranks above Dallas' Michael Collodi (Jonathan Sirois doesn't have enough 2026 minutes to qualify). Let's look at Daniel vs Collodi head to head:
Daniel has about two games more minutes wise but the numbers don't lie: Daniel is the better keeper in every way. Specifically Daniel is preventing way more goals despite facing more shots, and is better inside the box than Collodi. Let's do the same comparison with Sirois, using their 2025 numbers:
Once again Daniel comes out ahead in almost every category. This acquisition is a bona fide upgrade in every way. There is still a question about this to be answered however.
What does this cost Dallas?
While we know Daniel is coming to Dallas should this deal happen, we don't know what is going the other way. Maybe someone like Sirois would to become Gunn's backup, which would help clarify the Dallas keeper hierarchy. Dallas has just over $1.5 million in GAM which could also be sent. While we don't know exactly the cost to bring in Daniel, Dallas has flexibility to make it happen without it majorly impacting their various resources.
There's also plenty of room right now salary wise. Per MLSRosterView, Dallas is spending just 3.5% of their salary on goalkeepers as of now. For context: before a Daniel trade San Jose is spending just under 8% on keepers. Collodi and Sirois combined make just under $400,00, whereas Daniel earns $792,500. Dallas would pay a prorated part of that for this year while holding options for '27 and '28.
Dallas has an open senior roster spot, so they don't need to jettison a player to fit Daniel on the roster. They also don't need an international roster spot; Daniel has a green card. He fits perfectly into Dallas' roster construction.
This does create one issue: MLSRV has their remaining cap room at $919,214. That's estimated, meaning it probably isn't correct down to the penny, but it's likely accurate enough to work off. Even if Daniel's salary impact to Dallas is prorated, this deal will eat a decent amount of the open room. If Dallas wants to add other impact players, and they need to do so, they'll need to shed salary elsewhere.
How can Dallas clear salary?
The Burn have some options in this area.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a pair of players Dallas needs to make decisions on in Deedson and Enes Sali. Combined the pair represent $845,319 in salary, yet neither seemingly has a future with the club. Sali's loan to Al-Riyadh expired at June's end, so unless an unannounced deal has been made he's back under Dallas' control. Meanwhile Deedson returned to Frisco after Haiti's exit from the World Cup without much added to his value.
Sam Hale
If Dallas could get these two off the books, that'd open up the salary room necessary to get a TAM player in alongside Daniel. The question is can they find suitors for both, or will they settle for just one?
Another option: Anderson Julio. The former Salt Lake man is on $820,000, and has missed most of Dallas' season with a leg injury. It's expected he'll return post World Cup break, but it's unclear what his role will be. Petar Musa and Logan Farrington are the top two strikers, Sam Sarver has become the speed and energy bench option. Julio is a man without a country at the moment.
The obvious answer would be trading Julio within the league to a team needing his particular skillset. Dallas wouldn't need much back in return; they could settle for an amount of GAM or draft considerations. Their primary goal is opening up salary space, so what they get from the other team isn't as important.
Should Dallas accomplish all three (unlikely), they could suddenly add Daniel and grab either two TAM players or a DP level player while remaining salary compliant. That'd be a big boost to a squad pushing for a high end playoff spot.
Final thoughts
This proposed trade gives us a window into Dallas' strategy this window: taking advantage of situations within the league. Daniel wasn't on anyone's radar until the Bogert report dropped. If this comes to pass, Dallas could be looking to grab good yet undervalued assets within MLS.
It's a smart strategy: Not only does it means Dallas will outlay less actual money by venturing into the international transfer market, they get league adjusted players. One of the biggest challenges of bringing in outside players to MLS is them adapting to the league's play style. Herman Johansson was a top player in Sweden, but he's needed time to catch up. Same with Kaick who grew up playing in Brazil. Something about MLS throws just about every new addition, so skipping that part of the equation would be huge.
At minimum, it's the second summer window in a row where Andre Zanotta and company recognize their major problem. Last it was Lucho Acosta, and they shipped him to South America. This year it's goalkeeper, and they're on the verge of getting a top ten MLS keeper who can sniff top five. It'd be a huge coup, and one that indicates the club is serious about contending down the stretch.
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