It’s that time of year, right after MLS Cup when teams have to decide which members of the roster will have their contract options picked up and which will not. Spoke to FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman about this very subject on Monday and here’s what he had to say.
OPTIONS PICKED UP (ALONG WITH HYNDMAN’S COMMENTS)
M James Marcelin—“Yes, we do [have an option] and are picking him up.
D Hernan Pertuz—“Yes. Yeah, right now [we’re picking him up].”
G Chris Seitz—“We’re good with him.”
M Ricardo Villar—“Yes [we are picking up his option].”
OPTION NOT PICKED UP
F Scott Sealy—“Not at this time.”
NOTE ON JACKSON’S CONTRACT STATUS (WHO WILL ALSO BE BACK)
M Jackson Goncalves—“I believe so [that he’s locked in for another year]. Either he has that [is locked in for another year] or he has an option and we’re picking it up. We like what we see in Jackson.”
QUICK THOUGHTS
Jackson—It’s not surprising to see Jackson back since he is a player who Hyndman absolutely loves. His versatility remains an asset but can also work against him as he might not have a starting spot right now because with Brek Shea healthy, he’ll start at left mid and Fabian Castillo on the other side. But if it’s a role he’d accept, he could be a super sub off the bench, kind of an energy guy who can deliver pace and can play in a number of spots.
Marcelin—Think keeping him is more a function of losing Daniel Hernandez to retirement and the impending loss of Julian de Guzman than anything. Can be a serviceable backup at holding mid but is way overexposed if asked to play extended minutes.
Pertuz—Sure, he made his share of mistakes last year, his first in MLS but the Colombian defender is a solid backup center back. And with the contract status of George John unknown along with the uncertainty surrounding captain Ugo Ihemelu and whether or not he’ll return, Pertuz could again see heavy minutes in the FCD central defense come 2013.
Sealy—The veteran striker making Dallas’ opening day roster was a big story to come out of last preseason. But after an injury before the opener sidelined him for a while, he never was the same player. He did see some minutes in the middle part of the year and delivered some solid performances, but FCD needs an upgrade in talent up top, which is why his option was declined.
Seitz—Looks like FCD’s No. 1 keeper at least for now. By the way, the ex-Terp is fully recovered after donating bone marrow in-season last year and ready to roll. Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo is adamant about seeing what Seitz has as a starting goalkeeper, something he hasn’t been since he was in Philadelphia in 2011. It looks like he’ll get his chance.
Villar—When healthy, he’s a solid backup to 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira. Last season was an absolute nightmare for the veteran South American. Now that he’s coming back, figures to be a nice option to give “El Torito” an occasional rest and can also strike a pretty mean ball on set pieces, something no team can ever have too many of.
