The ink was barely dry on the press release announcing Steve Morrow as the new head coach for FC Dallas before the questions about personnel started rolling in. Morrow tactfully deflected such inquiries at his introductory press conference Monday, stating the time wasn't right and that he needed to talk to the entire squad before proceeding with any such issues.
Not even two weeks ago, FCD announced that the contract of Bobby Rhine had expired, who has been with the team since 1999 (the longest-tenured player on the Hoops roster), and that it would not pick up the option on central midfielder and captain Simo Valakari.
FCD also did not renew the contract of veteran goalkeeper Jeff Cassar, who spent much of the season on the sidelines after suffering several different injuries. With Alan Knight, last year's goalkeeping coach, likely not returning to the club next season, rumors have circulated that Cassar might take his place.
"I have to sit down and talk to them (the coaches)," Cassar said. "If they didn't get me back at the money I was making that doesn't mean that I won't be back as a player. There has been some talk of me being the goalkeeping coach. I would relish the opportunity and that would be awesome. I just want to go on how my body feels and what Steve (Morrow) has in mind."
Cassar was the fourth 'keeper on the Hoops behind Dario Sala, who started most of the season, Shaka Hislop, who was signed from the English Premier League midway through the season but did not perform well in limited action and Ray Burse Jr., who completed a solid rookie season playing for the FCD reserves.
Rhine has been a starter at right back for the last two seasons after making the switch from forward only in 2005. He could return at a lower salary, especially considering that the player who was expected to push him for playing time last year, rookie Justin Moore, had his contract terminated (though the 2006 second-round pick could still return).
As for Valakari, at 33 he is getting on a bit on years, but Morrow could bring the tough Finn back at a lower salary to help anchor the central midfield, which also features fellow veteran and 2006 MLS Comeback Player of the Year Richard Mulrooney.
Then again, there is the chance FCD could let Valakari go and give 2006 first-round draft pick Dax McCarty a shot in the starting 11. McCarty played well for the FCD reserves last year and also for the U.S. Under-20 team on various tours abroad.
Developmental contracts for Burse, defender Michael Dello-Russo and speedy striker Dominic Oduro also expired. But each could either be re-signed to another developmental deal or secure a spot on the senior roster. All were rookies last season.
Morrow will also have to make a decision on forward Roberto Mina. The talented striker, who was injured a good part of last year, was on loan from a club in his native Ecuador and that arrangement has since expired. In his absence, second-year forward Abe Thompson emerged as a quality strike partner for leading scorer Carlos Ruiz.
Thompson moves off the developmental roster and will have to make the senior roster in 2007 to secure a spot on FCD. The same goes for midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan.
Dallas natives Drew Moor, a second-year center back, and Ramon Nunez, a third-year midfielder, graduated from the Generation adidas program and to the senior roster. Moor started the bulk of last season in the heart of the back four while Nunez put up the best numbers of his career but faded down the stretch and was unhappy about a lack of playing time.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
