At least for the time being, the Denilson era is over at FC Dallas. The Brazilian World Cup-winning midfielder, brought to the club as a designated player in August, was one of three players who did not have their contract options picked up for the 2008 season.
FC Dallas head coach Steve Morrow did not completely rule out Denilson's return for next season -- albeit at a lower salary. In eight league games with the Hoops, Denilson contributed one goal (from the penalty spot) and no assists.
"We didn't pick up his option because we thought his salary was too high for next year," Morrow said. "That (bringing him back at a lower salary) is certainly an option for us. I talked to him about why we didn't pick up his option. We felt that was a lot of money for next year and I didn't think it was great value.
"We explained that to him. He wants to stay here, loves it here and the team. We have talked about the possibility of renegotiating but we're not very far down the road on that. If that's going to happen, it could take a little while to figure out."
The club exercised the options on a number of players, including forward Carlos Ruiz, midfielders Juan Toja and Pablo Ricchetti, veteran defender Bobby Rhine, goalkeeper Dario Sala and left back David Wagenfuhr.
The decision to pick up Ruiz's option comes after the Guatemalan international had the least productive season of his six in MLS. Ruiz had just seven goals and two assists and also missed several games while on suspension, both for yellow card accumulation and a team decision. It all came in his first year wearing the captain's armband for the Hoops.
"We felt it was important to do that," Morrow said. "I sat and talked to him. We discussed all of the options with him, staying, leaving, going to another team in MLS or going to a team overseas.
"All options are open right now, so, we thought it was important to pick it up so that we retain his rights both within the league and internationally as well," Morrow added. "We're looking at all different options with him at the moment. He and I have had plenty of conversations about it."
The club also picked up Sala's option even though toward the end of the season, he was plagued by injuries and also lost his starting job to young upstart Ray Burse.
"He certainly had an up-and-down part of the second half of the season," Morrow said. "He knows that. He got a few injuries and came back a bit stronger towards the end. We'll pick up his option for now and he's another guy that we're talking to in the offseason."
Bringing back Ricchetti looked to have been an easy decision for the Hoops. "I think for the most part, Pablo had a good year," Morrow said. "I think he's going to be an even bigger and better player for us next year. His first year in MLS was tough in many ways.
"He had one or two injuries and got a little bit tired at times as well," he said. "I think he'll come back fresh after a rest in the offseason and ready to go for next season. I will certainly expect bigger and better things from him next year and he's looking forward to that challenge."
Other than Ruiz, the big name of the bunch is Toja, a huge fan favorite in his first season who had six goals and one assist. Not only has FCD picked up his option for 2008 but the club is also working to buy his contract from Colombian side Santa Fe in the offseason.
"We picked up his option for next year and also exercised the option to buy his rights," Morrow said. "So, we're working on that right now as well. It will take a few weeks to really work that out. We have to work out the payment for his rights but we're very happy with him. We look forward to having him here next year. I think it's a big statement for us that we've gone ahead and exercised the option and bought his rights."
The only other options not picked up were a pair of rookies from last year's team who spent the entire year with the reserve division squad -- midfielder Sandy Gbandi, younger brother of FCD left back Chris Gbandi and forward Scott Jones, who had two goals and four assists for the Hoops reserves.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
