Over the last eight years, Oscar Pareja has become a fixture as a member of the Dallas organization in Major League Soccer. On Monday, FC Dallas announced the midfield legend will continue on with the club, as the Colombian native was named an assistant coach.
Throughout his career, Pareja has developed a bond with the younger players with the Dallas club, as he sought to pass on his experience of playing at a higher level. In that way, becoming a coach will be nothing new for Pareja -- and he will have plenty of youth to educate at FC Dallas with the likes of Drew Moor, David Wagenfuhr, Alex Yi, Arturo Alvarez, Roberto Mina and Ramon Nuñez.
"I feel like I can share my knowledge with the youth," said Pareja. "That's something (teaching) that I feel inside me. To have the opportunity to teach all the information I have received for all those years of my career."
Pareja will also have the opportunity to further link the Latino community with FC Dallas. The Hispanic community in Dallas/Fort Worth truly embraces soccer, as witnessed by the sold-out venue for the InterLiga matches this past weekend at Pizza Hut Park.
"Now I have the chance to not just work with the club, but with the Spanish community -- to help involve the community with the team," he said. "My goal is to bridge the gap. ... I think I could be a good role model for the Latin people and the Latin players as well."
Pareja came to Dallas via a trade with New England Revolution for Leonel Alvarez in 1998. He was not known for his goal-scoring ability, but for the magic he could do with the ball -- placing pinpoint passes to his teammates -- second only to MLS veteran and long-time Dallas forward Jason Kreis in all-time assists for the club with 52.
Pareja was twice named the club's most valuable players (2001 and '02), and in 2002, was named to the MLS Best XI. Capped 11 times by his home country, he finished off his career in style, scoring the last of his 13 career MLS goals in his final league match, a 2-2 draw with the Kansas City Wizards on Oct. 15 at Pizza Hut Park, delighting the capacity crowd in attendance.
"Oscar Pareja has been a standout player for FC Dallas and a great ambassador for the sport of soccer in Dallas-area for the past eight years. We're excited that Oscar will continue to be a member of the FC Dallas family as an assistant coach. We know that his commitment to excellence, drive of a champion and overall dedication to FC Dallas and the Hunt Sports Group will help us win championships," FC Dallas general manager Michael Hitchcock said.
Opening day for the Hoops in 2006 is scheduled for April 2 against the Chicago Fire. FCD's Pareja will suit up for the game, but for the first time in nine years, it won't be as a player, but rather as an assistant coach.
"It has been a great experience for me being on a team for so many years," said Pareja. "I am glad I got to play for this team for so long. ... For me, I am excited about being an assistant coach at a team that I once played for."
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
