Three things FC Dallas needs to do in the summer transfer window

As FC Dallas goes through season one of their rebuild, the winter transfer window brought many positives. Osaze Urhoghide's arrival as one of MLS' best center backs is a revelation. Shaq Moore provided stability to an injury laden right back position. Kaick and Ramiro have both become quality MLS pieces at defensive midfield. Anderson Julio when healthy has shown immense speed on the outside, helping stretch defenses.

That's before we consider young players like Josh Torquato, Alvaro, and Sam Sarver who made their first team debuts this season. Even with the squad outside the playoffs, there's plenty to like.

As the secondary transfer window opens in two days, now is not slow down time for Andre Zanotta and company. For this rebuild to work, they need to continue clear cutting the roster. That process began with the trades of Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola and the sale of Alan Velasco. Those were fearless moves that showed understanding of the current situation. That trend must continue even if 2025's prospects might have already gone dim.

Dallas has already signed one player, a Haitian international winger and are linked currently with former Academy product Christian Cappis. Combine that with the sales of Antonio Carrera and Leo Chu along with not extending Show Cafumana's loan and it says this front office isn't backing off. Even so, there's three objectives this summer critical in supporting head coach Eric Quill both this year and beyond.

Transfer Lucho Acosta Elsewhere

Oh boy, we're here.

This headline originally said "Make A Decision On Lucho Acosta" during the first draft. Then Saturday's 3-nil win over St. Louis City happened, where we saw the squad compile their most complete performance. That happened without Acosta in the lineup for "personal reasons" per the manager.

Fast forward to Quill's post game comments, which I will selectively quote:

Something triggered in San Jose, where I really started seeing a team that's honest, a team that's fighting for each other, communicating to each other, picking each other off the ground, clapping at each other.

I'm also a guy that think that it's people over tactics, It's all about desire, effort, anticipation, engagement, concentration, all these things that people have to produce, because you can throw as many X's and O's as on a chalkboard as you want, but the people have to be right and be willing to do it together, all 11. It can't be eight, it can't be nine, it's got to be 11 engaged and bought in together in the entirety. That's how you get it done. So I rewarded a performance the other night, I stuck with it again. We grew in it again in game two. We'll see where it goes.”

Those words combined with the last 180+ on-field minutes tell me one thing: Acosta's tenure here can't continue.

For better or worse Lucho doesn't fit Quill's style. Acosta's moaning when a referee doesn't call a foul, his protestation when his teammates don't pass him the ball when he thinks they should, and his lack of desire to play any honest defense all run counter to Quill's ethos. The fact that Acosta didn't play the last two games and his teammates embodied toughness, perseverance, and industry aren't an accident.

It doesn't help Acosta's case that Petar Musa appears to be going supernova again this summer. Four goals in two games coupled with an assist (he deserves a second on his first SJ goal but that's not how soccer works) all while the offense looks rejuvenated with him as the focal point. It's more vertical, more dynamic, and so far more potent. In short: focusing on the Moose produces better, more consistent results than focusing on Acosta.

I'm not here to say you can get full value for Acosta moving him this soon. The rumored $5 million price tag Dallas paid Cincinnati this winter is likely not getting repaid. Even so, recouping any value feels a win if you can get the team back on track. It's best for everyone. Acosta can go somewhere he fits better, and Dallas can continue a rebuild with players who more fit the manager's profile.

It's not personal, sometimes things just don't work out. Best to move on while everyone can still benefit before it's too late.

Get Shaq Moore Some Help

A couple of rungs down in importance from thing #1 is finding depth at right back/right wing back for Moore. The initial plan for Moore's deputies made sense. First round pick Enzo Newman showed potential in training camp. In case of emergency Herbert Endeley could be re-called from loan to take up the spot.

Two ACL tears later and Dallas' right sided depth was obliterated. Combined with the existing injury to right sider Geovane Jesus and you've got a solid depth chart at right back on Dallas' season ending injury list. Sometimes the luck is bad, and in this case it's localized in one spot.

While we've seen Ramiro, Lalas Abubakar, and even Sebastian Lletget take up a position in place of Moore, those aren't actual fixes. They're school glue in a situation that calls for super glue. Dallas has survived to the window dodging further catastrophe, now it's time to fix it.

Coming into Saturday, Moore played the second most minutes for Dallas trailing fellow defender Sebastien Ibeagha. That's good for 50th in MLS overall per FBRef. At some point he's going to need a break or his body will force one upon him. Finding someone that can spell him will allow Moore rest, meaning he can continue his quality play all the way through October.

It doesn't need to be a long term fix. Be it an 18 month loan from overseas, a MLS veteran who can handle things until the winter (think 2024 Ruan), or even a free agent that needs a few proving ground matches. If they play well they can stick around until Newman, Endeley, and/or Jesus heal up.

These are the types of problems you can solve in MLS's summer windows. You're not likely to hit home runs, but singles and doubles are also valuable. That's all this deal need be to achieve the end goal.

Continuing finding Quill type players

Building this team in Quill's image is going to take time. Former manager Nicó Estevez once said it takes tw0-three windows for a team to turn over and fit a manager's desires. In MLS that's especially true when you consider top end players leave often to balance budgets and one window doesn't function the same as another. Couple that with complicated roster rules and building a manager's dream team takes more time in the States than anywhere.

While culture fits are already in place for Quill's preferred style, the work remains incomplete. It doesn't mean the outgoing players are bad, it just means they aren't optimal for this situation. Figuring out who shouldn't stay is just as important as deciding who should arrive.

There's a chance some solutions might already be in Frisco: as of this writing Josh Torquato has signed a Homegrown deal after impressing Quill. Sam Sarver could be well on his way to doing the same. Quill's re-opening of the academy/NTSC pipeline is paying dividends already. In doing so he's found the spirit and tenacity he seeks out of players. It provides a blueprint both for those here and those who seek playing in Frisco.

No matter the how, Quill should be allowed to succeed or fail with a roster of his players. It's the only fair way to judge his coaching acumen, even in an unfair arena. Sans Acosta the front office has done a good job in building a base. Now it's time to continue framing with the intent of having the project complete sooner rather than later.

Coming Thursday: Grading FC Dallas' primary transfer window