The 2019 Major League Soccer season is about to begin.
FC Dallas just wrapped up training camp in Tucson. The trip to Arizona featured a rare appearance of snowflakes. “You had people outside taking pictures,” said defenseman Reggie Cannon, adding, “It never snows it Tucson.”
But the bigger headline from the desert is FC Dallas’ victory over the New York Red Bulls in a preseason tournament. The winner’s cup proving just how motived Jesus Ferreira and his teammates are right now. “I think it's always good to show what our desire is,” said the FC Dallas forward, “(We) always (want) to win and this year we got a Cup back and so we're proud of that."
A new year brings with it a new head coach. Former SMU Mustang Luchi Gonzalez has been promoted to the top spot by FC Dallas President Dan Hunt, whose family also owns the Kansas City Chiefs. “We play the way he (Gonzaelez) wants to play which is a very exciting, fast-paced, high press offense,” said Hunt who compares Gonzalez’s coaching philosophy to one Andy Reid devised for quarterback Patrick Mahomes II on the NFL gridiron.
The 38-year-old Gonzalez was the Academy Director prior to taking over head coaching duties. His previous position with the franchise gives him a good knowledge about many of the players who have been in the FC Dallas system for years. The club is hoping that history nets positive results this season.
FC Dallas made the post-season last October, but fell short in the Knockout Round of the playoffs. Many of the players on this year’s squad say that motivates them to do even better in 2019.
FC Dallas’ season starts with a home game at Toyota Stadium against the New England Revolution on Saturday, March 2nd.
