FRISCO, Texas – Nearly four months after being acquired by FC Dallas, midfielder Michael Barrios has finally found the back of the net – twice, in fact.
Neither of his two goals will count toward his MLS totals due to the fact that they came in the team’s 4-1 US Open Cup win over the Oklahoma City Energy FC on Tuesday, but his strong performance is a positive sign for the club – emblematic of what the club envisioned in using him opposite fellow Colombian midfielder Fabian Castillo, wreaking havoc on the wings with their speed and ball skills.
After the Colombian duo did just that against OKC, their head coach was quick to remind everyone how challenging it typically is for international players to respond to the MLS game.
“Coming into Major League Soccer is a different monster,” said FCD head coach Oscar Pareja, also a Colombian who made the transition to MLS himself in 1998. “It’s difficult for me to remember players who come to this league and adapt right away. They need a bit of time.”
But when Barrios was acquired from Colombian First Division squad Uniautonoma FC, he wasn’t the only one who had to transition to life in a new country.
His family was in tow.
At 24 years old, Barrios moved to Texas with his wife and 2-year-old son when the club signed him in February. And in a lot of ways, having his family here has been a benefit, one that many international youngsters don't have.
“I think just the fact that they support me,” Barrios told MLSSoccer.com via translator when asked what it means to have his family in Dallas. “Like I said, we share those good moments together. And the feeling of coming home after a game or a practice and feeling their love and support.”
Pareja acknowledged Barrios as a family man when the club signed him, even stating that Barrios’ involvement with his family is a sign of maturity. According to Pareja, one of the most overlooked elements when players change leagues has nothing to do with the sport itself.
“I think when you are in a different country, doing simple things like going to the market and going to the bank is difficult,” Pareja said. “You need somebody that is there to share that little challenge with you. And being married, for example, makes it easier.”
But even with his family by his side, Barrios has not had the easiest transition on the field.
According to Castillo, Barrios’ transition has actually been more challenging from a soccer perspective than his was four years ago. He noted that because of growth in the league and teams having a wealth of information in terms of scouting foreign players, the opposition is more educated on what Barrios brings to the field.
“It is a little more difficult because when he’s playing they know what kind of player he is,” Castillo told MLSSoccer.com via translator. “But it’s important that us as a team together help him grow and make him feel at home. Yesterday with his two goals, I think it was really important for him in his career in MLS.”
After the first goal, Barrios dropped to his knees and calmly pointed to the sky in celebration. He was greeted by Castillo and other teammates following the second strike.
But at the end of the day, he was able to celebrate with a group of people that not every young player has in the city they play professionally.
“I think the beautiful thing is to share those good moments of life here in the U.S with people like my family,” Barrios said.
