On Tuesday morning, FC Dallas announced they had traded the talented but enigmatic Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Galaxy for allocation money, bringing the Guatemalan international striker's time in hoops to an end. Ruiz had signed with FCD before the 2005 season and in his three seasons scored 31 goals with nine assists, but that total dropped to a career-low seven tallies in 2007.
"I think it is (a good move)," said FCD head coach Steve Morrow. "I think it's a good deal for us because it gives us a lot of flexibility and a lot of options to strengthen our roster. We've opened up a bit of salary cap space and gained some allocation money as well. Those are all things that can help us both in the next few weeks and in the future to strengthen the roster. I think it's a good deal and we're pleased."
In December, FCD looked to have a three-team deal on the table that would send Ruiz to L.A. and the Hoops would get defender Bobby Boswell from D.C. United but that deal fell apart at the 11th hour and D.C. instead sent Boswell to Houston for backup 'keeper Zach Wells.
"I think it (that deal not going through) was (frustrating) but it's typical of MLS that these deals can take a long time to sort out," Morrow said. "It was first presented to us before Christmas and it's taken this long to finalize the deal. That was a bit frustrating in many ways but we got there in the end and got the deal that we wanted, so it was worth it."
One FCD player who could benefit from Ruiz's departure is fellow striker Kenny Cooper. The Dallas native missed much of the 2007 season after suffering a broken leg on June 9 but still had four goals and two assists in limited action. In 2006, his first year with the Hoops, he had 11 goals and four assists.
When paired together, Cooper and Ruiz never seemed to click and with two target strikers up top, the FCD attack often stalled.
"Yes, (I do think Kenny Cooper could benefit from this move)," Morrow said. "We've traded Carlos (Ruiz) and the two together maybe weren't as prolific as people expected them to be. I see an opportunity for Kenny (Cooper) to step up and be a top striker for FC Dallas and in the league. He's certainly a player that we believe in a lot. It's a great situation for him. He's got a great opportunity to step up and be our No. 1 striker."
The FCD boss also emphasized that the departure of Ruiz also presents great opportunities for other strikers like Arturo Alvarez (three goals, three assists), who was recently signed to a new contract, speedster Dominic Oduro (three goals, two assists) and workhorse Abe Thompson (five goals, four assists).
"We've also got some good other options on the roster at striker like Abe Thompson, Alvarez, Oduro, Ricardinho and we have a draft coming up with some super strikers in it as well," Morrow said. "We have plenty of options and can bring in another striker if we feel we want to."
Ruiz's tenure at FCD, while filled with goals, was also replete with plenty of distractions, which included missed practices and other assorted issues. Last season, Morrow named Ruiz captain but the Guatemalan international missed several practices, resulting in his being benched. He returns to the team he came into the league with in 2002, when he had 24 goals and one assist for the MLS Cup champion Galaxy.
Morrow admits that finding a new captain is something he will have to address once preseason begins on Feb. 4, but for now, he is more focused on preparing for Friday's MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore, an event in which FCD has two picks in the first round.
"I think it's a little bit early (to discuss the candidates to be captain)," Morrow said. "We're going to continue looking at options to strengthen the team and once we've done that, we'll start looking at our best options. We have options. I know there's one or two (players) who want the job a lot. As we go through preseason, we'll look at our options and figure out the best man for the job."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
