FC Dallas could be close to filling a void in their back line for the 2008 season, as the club is talking to former Mexican international defender Duilio Davino about signing with the Hoops.
The 31-year-old Davino, who has played for Club America since 1997, was in Frisco over the weekend for the Interliga match between his former club and Toluca. The 5-foot-11 center back, who has represented Mexico on 84 occasions at international level, was released from his contract after the 2007 season.
"Right now, it (the move) is not official," Davino said at halftime Sunday of the Interliga contest. "I wasn't even going to talk today. If there is interest from both parties, I would like to be here. I believe that they would be interested in me coming here. We'll see if (on Monday), we can come to some type of agreement."
Monday morning, Davino and his agent were set to meet with FCD brass, including general manager Michael Hitchcock and head coach Steve Morrow.
"We're certainly interested in Davino and expect the player and agent to visit," FC Dallas general manager Michael Hitchcock said to the Dallas Morning News over the weekend. "We'll bring him to the game, spend some time with him, and Monday morning we'll sit."
At the least, Davino would fill a hole left by the departure of the club's 2007 defender of the year, Clarence Goodson, who was left unprotected in the expansion draft and subsequently claimed by San Jose. One thing is for sure, compensation won't be a deal breaker for Davino.
"Right now, the money isn't that important to me," Davino said. "That wouldn't be the difference maker in whether I come here or not. Yes, I would like to come here and we are definitely at that stage (where we sit down and discuss a contract)."
Signing Davino would make him the second former Club America player to make the jump to MLS in a year's time. The other, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, made a huge impact in his first half-season in the league after signing with the Chicago Fire.
"Yes, (I've spoken to Blanco)," Davino said. "He says it's gone very well for him in MLS and in Chicago. He told me that he's very happy here."
Davino received high praise from ex-America teammate Richard Nunez, who was also familiar with him after playing against him during his time with Cruz Azul.
"He's a great defender," Nunez said. "Not just because of how he did with Club America, but he has been doing it well for a long time. In my opinion, he is one of the best Mexican defenders. He brings a lot of experience and intensity to the field."
Hitchcock also likes the quality that Davino would bring to the Hoops backline.
"He (Davino) makes sense," he said. "We like him as a player, person and leader."
While Davino said few MLS games are available on TV in Mexico, he's more than familiar with the league's current state of play.
"In Mexico, some games are available," he said. "I follow friends playing here. I have seen some over the past year. I would say from what I've seen that the league has grown a lot. The sport in America has also grown both at the national team level and the club level."
Another aspect of the potential move that appeals to Davino is getting to see another part of the world.
"I live outside of Mexico City, am from there and have been there a long time," he said. "Dallas looks like a nice place to live. For me, it's a different project that will be new and interesting. It's a place that I would also like to know."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
