Report: FC Dallas Trades Sam Junqua To Real Salt Lake For Anderson Julio

Eric Quill’s roster continues to take shape, as GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert reported Friday FC Dallas is trading fullback Sam Junqua and $400,000 of General Allocation Money (GAM) to Real Salt Lake in exchange for forward Anderson Julio.

This is a surprising move on both ends of the transaction. Dallas had a hidden gem in Junqua when he signed in 2023. A former top ten pick out of California, Junqua became a super sub over the last two seasons. A left back by trade Junqua ended up playing both full back spots, wing back, and center back during his tenure. Wherever Dallas needed him to be, he stepped up.

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That does leave a hole to be filled in the depth chart behind existing full backs Marco Farfan and Herbert Endeley. The club remains negotiating with Ruan, which could solve the problem on the right side. On the left Dallas could look to Tyshawn Rose from North Texas SC, although he played wing back on this year’s title team. Quill could turn to Nolan Norris, who plays left back for the United States Youth National Team. It’s not something he’s done recently for the club, mainly working at center back or midfielder.

It’s fair to call this deal a sell high for Dallas. Junqua went from a late preseason free agent to valuable trade commodity in just 24 months. It’s a win for Andre Zanotta and company, who found value where every other club didn’t.

Meanwhile Julio leaves RSL after 25 goals in 111 matches, but just 38 starts. He’s likely to step in as the starting right winger in Quill’s presumed 4-2-3-1. His scouting report per FBRef:

That’s a whole lot of green when it comes to goal scoring, but the passing and defensive numbers are nice as well. It’s in line with what Quill wants from his players: high effort, high motor who aren’t afraid to do work.

One thing that this trade might tell us outside of the principles involved: Dallas intends to be aggressive this offseason. Sending $400,000 GAM for an in prime winger is a statement of intent by this front office. Between this deal and the rumored trades of Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola, this is turning into a formative offseason for the club. This could be the start of a run of trades where Dallas dips into their GAM war chest(per MLS as of Dec. 10 Dallas has just under $5,000,00 in GAM) to go get who they want.

Across the league this has been a strategy. New England spent up to $3,250,000 in GAM among other things for Miami forward Leo Campana, RSL themselves picked up Elias Manoel for $700,000 GAM from the Red Bulls. As teams find themselves trying to navigate the complex salary maze of MLS, there are opportunities for teams who can take advantage.

Dallas is one of those teams. Assuming the deals for Arriola and Ferreira go through, that leaves them with Musa and Velasco as Designated Players. As such, Dallas could shift their model to 2 DPs and 4 U22s, which would award them an extra $2,000,000 GAM. That could mean Dallas could work in the winter window, see how the first half of the season goes, and be proactive in the summer secondary window.

There’s still a lot of questions about how this team will look come February 22nd in Houston, with a lot of offseason and training camp to go. The trade for Julio tells us one thing for sure: Dallas isn’t messing around. Last year wasn’t good enough, and they’re doing active work to insure it won’t happen that way again.

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