Kenny Cooper wasn’t the only familiar face that arrived in Frisco this week. Honduran international and Dallas native Ramon Nuñez has reunited with FCD as he nears a return to the pitch after suffering a torn ACL with Leeds United in early September.
Whether he actually signs with Dallas remains to be seen, but the club certainly isn't hiding the fact that they're taking a long look at the 27-year-old.
“He’s a very good player who has been in and out of the league playing here and [other places],” technical director Fernando Clavijo told MLSsoccer.com. “He’s still young and 27. It’s a calculated risk coming off an ACL, because right now we’re looking at him to see how he clears physicals.”
READ: Could remade FCD attack be MLS' best? Clavijo thinks so
Nuñez was drafted by FC Dallas in 2004 after one season under Schellas Hyndman at SMU, enjoying a successful four-year run in Major League Soccer during which he tallied 14 goals for for the club. Nuñez parlayed his MLS success into a career around Central America and England, as well as a spot on the Honduran national team, but the former Leeds United man is currently without a club and a move back to FC Dallas makes sense for both sides.
Despite their new-found riches at forward, FC Dallas still lack a backup for David Ferreira and could also use some help on the wings, a need that Nuñez could certainly fill if healthy.
“I really don’t even know if he’s 100 percent ready to play yet, but looking at our needs still he’s someone who can definitely be an option instead of David or be an option instead of Jackson or Fabián [Castillo] on the wings,” Clavijo said. “He can help us in many positions, but it’s somebody who we’re paying very close attention to right now.”
Despite still being a few weeks away from fully returning to the pitch, Nuñez has traveled to Mexico with FC Dallas for their week-long preseason camp.
