The big changes in Big D continued on Monday, as FC Dallas announced a series of moves that see veterans Jackson Gonçalves and Kenny Cooper on the way out of Frisco and 2013 SuperDraft pick Ryan Hollingshead on his way in.
Cooper (above), a 29-year-old striker who returned to Dallas in 2013 after a four-season run earlier in his career, was out of contract. FCD said in a statement that they were unable to come to terms with the former US international and that he will enter the Re-Entry Process.
The Dallas-raised target man was FCD's second-leading scorer this past season with six goals in 31 games, but found himself in and out of the starting lineup and unable to replicate the form that saw him score 40 goals during his first stint in Dallas from 2006-09.
Jackson, meanwhile, was traded to Toronto FC for allocation money and a conditional second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The 25-year-old Brazilian attacker came to Dallas on loan in 2010 from São Paulo FC until FCD purchased him outright in 2012.
Originally a defender, the Brazilian also saw time at midfield and forward. He made 91 appearances, scored 11 goals and had 13 assists in MLS competition. He also added two goals in Lamar Hunt US Open Cup competition.
“It’s not that we came out and said we didn’t want him anymore or Jackson saying he didn’t want to be here, but it was maybe just the best time for us to move away from each other and see other opportunities,” FCD technical director Fernando Clavijo told FCDallas.com. “As much as we valued him, everyone around the league valued him and we were able to get something substantial in the trade for him.”
Both moves come on the heels of FC Dallas declining the 2014 option of midfielder and 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira last month. Longtime head coach Schellas Hyndman – who brought both players to the club – stepped down as head coach of FC Dallas at the conclusion of the 2013 season.
FC Dallas also announced that they have come to terms with midfielder Hollingshead, their second-round selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft who opted for community work in Sacramento, Calif., this past season instead of immediately joining the club.
The club has also exercised the 2014 options on 15 players, including forwards Blas Pérez and Fabián Castillo; defenders Michel, Stephen Keel and Matt Hedges; goalkeeper Chris Seitz and midfielder Andrew Jacobson.
They also tendered a bona fide offer to defender Zach Loyd and said they will not renew the contract of Homegrown midfielder Victor Ulloa.
