FRISCO, Texas — Even though he went unselected in the Re-Entry Draft, it's beginning to look more likely that Maicon Santos' brief time with FC Dallas has come to an end.
Head coach Schellas Hyndman told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday that negotiations with the veteran striker have cooled since FCD were looking to renegotiate a new deal for the Brazilian that would be less of a cap hit for the club. But those talks haven't progressed since before the Re-Entry Draft, when Dallas declined Santos' option for 2012.
“We spoke to him before we put him out there,” Hyndman said. “We were talking numbers, trying to redo his contract. We just kind of hit a wall with it. We decided to put our energy towards trying to secure other players and that’s the direction we’ve gone.”
While Hyndman admits the forward position is the top priority for the club this offseason, the door appears to be all but shut on the 27-year-old Santos. Acquired in midseason from Toronto FC, the Brazilian managed only two goals in 12 appearances.
“We’re going down a different road right now and, if things pan out the way we hope they will, then we won’t see Maicon being a part of FC Dallas,” Hyndman said. “At the same time, he’s a player that we saw a lot of things in and, if we can renegotiate a contract where it’s fair for both sides, then we would renew conversations.”
Dallas' roster currently boasts only two true forwards with MLS experience: Fabián Castillo and Home Grown talent Ruben Luna, both of whom are all of 19 years old. Castillo showed flashes of brilliance for the club this season, recording two goals and three assists in 21 games played. But the Colombian fell out of favor towards season’s end following his stint with his national team at the U-20 World Cup.
Luna, who captured the MLS Reserve League Golden Boot with 10 goals, has yet to translate his game to the first-team squad, though he expects a larger role in 2012.
While the club places great emphasis on developing players from within their academy, Hyndman firmly believes the team needs a proven striker to find success next season.
“We are definitely looking for someone to step in and be that lead guy,” Hyndman said. “I think we need a player that we can count on to be where they need to be. And when the scoring opportunities come, be a player that has the experience and capability of scoring those goals.”
WATCH: Santos finishes off Shea's cross
