Notes from Nico’s Press Conference
FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez joined media today to talk about the record signing of Peter Musa and a few other nuggets.
Once again, it’s a new day for FC Dallas.
Petar Musa’s addition to the FC Dallas squad is a huge deal for this team, who has often had to search out bargain signings in hopes of key additions. Musa is a player the team has been tracking for a while and courted heavily. While the Croatian striker had options in France and other spots in Europe, it was the vision and love that Dallas showed from the get go to convince Musa to put some roots down. Heck, his contract is five years in length. He could be a long term fixture going forward.
FC Dallas head coach Nico Estevez spoke with media about the signing.
“First of all, Petar is a great forward,” Nico said about how the signing will bolster Dallas’ tactical setup. “Any great forward will fit in any team with any formation. When we finished last season and we did a review about the season before, where we got short, what areas we could improve in order to be a team that can do better in playoff games, the physicality of the game, and the quality of the games are higher - one of the things we thought and we learned, we (needed) a forward with a different physicality aside Jesus Ferreira. Both can help each other to play against the teams and provide us different options. That will take our game at a high level.”
“Based on that, the staff and I were learning and preparing to have a player like Petar to fit into the way we play,” Nico said. “But not only him, soccer is a collective sport. How we can get the best from Petar but from every player on the field. This is the work we did in the offseason to prepare ourselves well.
Musa will be joining the team briefly in Spain before heading to the US to work on his VISA.
Of course, there is a question - how will Musa impact Jesus Ferreira’s production going forward?
“The signing doesn’t affect him,” Nico answered. “Jesus scored a goal against Inter Miami. He helps us to get into good positions underneath. We expect Jesus to score goals and get assists. Jesus might get less attention from center backs, so he can get into really good spots.”
Overall, the team appears to have been scouting and chasing Petar Musa for a while and believe this signing puts the team on a much stronger position going into league play.
With the roster jam-packed for now, it does open the door to some departures for the squad.
Nico mentioned that the team is exploring loan options for Jose Mulato and hope to have something to announce soon, as they feel that Jose has outgrown North Texas and needs a new challenge.
Isaiah Parker, who did not travel to Spain and had a disappointing loan to the USL-C last season, for now plans to stick around and get minutes with North Texas so the team can keep an eye on him. Nico indicated that the youngster is still highly thought of by the team.
Finally, Jesus Jimenez is in the final stages of a buyout agreement which will open the doors to the veteran Spanish striker to return to Europe, head to Asia, or some other spot. His disappointing time with FC Dallas comes to a close.
No doubt, there will be other loan explorations as the front office tries to work on getting the roster in compliance for the beginning of the season.
But still, it’s a new day. We won’t do know yet when Musa might make his first friendly appearance for FC Dallas, but again, next week appears to be the target for joining up with his new squad in practice.