FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas fans eager to see more of the team’s offseason attacking acquisitions may soon get their wish, possibly as early as Saturday's matchup with Chivas USA (8:30 pm ET, MLS Live).
On Thursday after training, Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja praised both forward David Texeira and midfielder Andrés Escobar, saying the two were working hard to learn and nearing readiness to see more action on the field. Whether that will translate into more playing time on Saturday night against a Chivas team coming off a hard fought 1-1 draw with Vancouver remains to be seen.
When it came to specifics regarding the newcomers, Pareja refused to commit to anything publicly, saying only that the two were progressing and adapting to life in Dallas and with the team.
Escobar, acquired on loan from Dynamo Kiev in February, played the final 29 minutes of the 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, subbing in for Kellyn Acosta. That came on the back of his nine-minute debut in FCD's season-opening 3-2 victory over Montreal.
Texeira, the Young Designated Player the team acquired last month from FC Groningen, made his MLS debut against SKC. He played the final 12 minutes against the defending MLS Cup champs underneath striker Blas Pérez, drawing the foul that led to the game-tying goal.
The Uruguayan can occupy any position in the attacking front, but his best position is up top, Pareja said.
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“It was very interesting to see him just running off of Blas, it was something we could use,” the FCD boss said.
Even with a brief sample size, Pareja said he had no doubts Pérez and Texeira can play together.
Regardless of whether the pair will feature in the starting lineup for the first time in Dallas colors on Saturday, Pareja said he "absolutely" had high expectations for the Texeira and Escobar moving forward.
