FC Dallas' announcement on Monday that the club signed veteran midfielder Peter Luccin seemed to indicate that Julian de Guzman’s short time in Frisco could be coming to an end, but head coach Schellas Hyndman has indicated that the door may not be shut just yet.
“Our last conversation with Julian was that we wanted him back,” Hyndman told reporters in a Tuesday conference call. “What he wanted was to look at options, but the thing that I’ve learned in this job is that you never say never.”
Since season’s end, there hasn’t been an indication one way or the other on where the Canadian would go in 2013, but recent talk seems to suggest that a departure from Dallas may not be as inevitable as it once seemed.
It’s been made very clear that FCD will not be able to offer de Guzman a Designated Player slot, but the Canadian has said that being close to his family – currently in Germany – is the most important thing as he reaches the twilight of his career.
“Something potentially still could happen, but it would have to be a way for us to work the numbers and international spots,” said Hyndman. “But we’re not counting Julian out.”
Luccin’s arrival brings plenty of optimism
Regardless of whether de Guzman is wearing the red and white in 2013, there is plenty of excitement in the FCD camp on what their new Frenchman can bring to the table.
“[Luccin] is a guy who is going to command the midfield and a guy whose vision is going to allow other players to do different things that probably right now they’re not doing,” said technical director Fernando Clavijo. “He’s a guy who definitely wants to come here to do something and make a name at the end of his career.”
Luccin spent two weeks with FC Dallas in postseason training, showing impressive passing ability and range similar to what now-assistant coach Daniel Hernandez brought to the squad.
“When he was here in that short period of time, you might be able to fool a coach … but you can’t fool your teammates and the [team] was really impressed with him,” said Hyndman. “The thing that attracts me is he’s got very good leadership. I felt like he and I were on the same wavelength from the beginning.”
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Luccin’s arrival is the possible transfer to a diamond 4-4-2 formation, something Hyndman has wanted to implement since arriving in Dallas.
“I also think that [Luccin] gives us a chance to really be serious about playing with two strikers next year,” said Hyndman.
