How is FC Dallas' defense looking?
With the announcement of Lucho Acosta in the rearview mirror, we can take a hard look at another part of the roster that has been getting a serious overhaul - the defense.
Going into 2025, while the offense hardly scintillated last year, the biggest dropoff for Dallas had been the defense. Injuries did not help at all, but Sebastian Ibeagha and Nkosi Tafari were at best inconsistent. Former head coach Nico Estevez bears some blame, trying to get something out of Dante Sealy and trying everybody, including Paul Arriola, at right wingback. None of it really worked.
Here’s the bottom line stat that even a fool like me can understand.
In 2023, FC Dallas gave up 37 goals defensively.
In 2024, that number shot up to 56.
Not good.
With several departures along that back line, this new year brought an opportunity to retool the group, recognizing that Marco Farfan and Maarten Paes still look valuable as core pieces. And really, Ibeagha, with his option picked up, is serviceable.
Tafari, Twumasi, Junqua, Sealy, and Arriola are out the door.
Geovane Jesus, a right back who had brief moments of promise, remains injured for the foreseeable future. Maybe the season. Sigh.
Earlier in the offseason, Dallas acquired some immediate defensive help. Shaq Moore, a veteran right back with national team experience, arrives via trade from Nashville to shore up that outside position opposite Farfan. Veteran defender Lalas Abubakar signed as a free agent after a few solid years with the Colorado Rapids. Neither signings are necessarily going to light the world on fire, but they are solid and helpful as the defense completes its makeover. Moore is the stronger of the two and could thrive under Quill.
Nolan Norris can certainly fill in in the center of the defense in a pinch, while Herbert Endelay remains an intriguing option at right back, even off the bench. The rookie Enzo Newman has already earned minutes in preseason at the left back position, offering some hope that he is ready to back up Farfan there. Malachi Molina is another homegrown signing who will likely spend more time with North Texas this season and serve as a break-glass emergency player if the senior team needs him.
In recent days, FC Dallas have signed two defenders. The first of those players, Osaze Urhoghide, projects as an immediate starter. He brings ready experience to bolster a center-back core that needs to improve. We talked about him earlier this week, and the amount of money Dallas spent on him indicates that he is seen as an outright starter from day one. With some Europa Champions League experience, the player is sorely needed to elevate this defense and develop into a core piece long term.
The second may be more of a project. Álvaro Augusto is a 19-year-old defender who had yet to break into the first team at Portimonense S.C. in the second division of Portugal. It’s hard to imagine he immediately makes an impact, looking like another development piece. But the kid has some nice tools, and at 6’3”, he offers size. Could he get some minutes with North Texas to develop a bit more? Is he immediately the fourth CB option, or could he push Lalas for that third spot?
A dark horse player is Mohammed Cisset, a 6’2” center back out of Penn State drafted late in the MLS SuperDraft. Rumors have suggested he’s had a solid preseason for FC Dallas, but there are snags. For one, signing him would require an international roster spot. Does Dallas have one available? And would it make sense to spend it on a college player? Furthermore, wouldn’t additional outside back depth make a bit more sense for this team? More than likely, Cisset follows the path of second-round pick Sam Sarver and signs with North Texas to develop for a year if the team likes him.
And yet another dark horse player - Ramiro Benetti is a versatile veteran midfielder from Brazil who has played all over the pitch, including at right back. While he may lock down the starting defensive midfielder role in Eric Quill’s system, it’s nice to have a guy who can slot in where needed if injuries ding this squad.
All in all, the defense is retooled. At the very least, there is room to grow. At best, this should be an improved back line to help Dallas match their offensive firepower.
Could we see more moves? Dallas may be happy with this core, or they may be hunting the market for one more piece, a veteran outside back, who could offer a bit more depth and competition. With a sizeable war chest of GAM and cash, the front office is in a great position to land someone if the right player becomes available.
Major League Soccer rosters will need to be completed and submitted by February 21. FC Dallas can only have 30 players on their roster, so expect a loan or two to potentially be in the works, even if it is a kid like Molina dropping down to North Texas.
Here’s the latest list of defenders Dallas has on the roster at this stage: Lalas Abubakar, Álvaro Augusto, Marco Farfan, Sebastien Ibeagha, Geovane Jesus, Shaq Moore, Nolan Norris, Enzo Newman, Malachi Molina, Osaze Urhoghide.
Questions:
What are your thoughts on Dallas’ defensive makeover?
Are you optimistic or pessimistic about this squad improving over last season’s performance?