FC Dallas, Ryan Hollingshead agree to contract extension

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension

FC Dallas and fullback Ryan Hollingshead have agreed to a two-year contract extension, the club announced Tuesday. The deal includes a club option for the 2022 season.

Hollingshead, 28, is enjoying a strong season, with six goals and three assists while appearing in all 30 of the club's MLS games thus far, starting all but one. He was drafted by the club in the second round of the 2013 SuperDraft and has made 139 career MLS appearances for Dallas. 

“Ryan is having a phenomenal season,” club president Dan Hunt said in a statement. “He represents everything we stand for here at FC Dallas and we’re thrilled that he will be wearing our colors for years to come.” 

That Hollingshead is still playing in itself is somewhat remarkable given his remarkable comeback from an off-the-field injury.

In 2017, Hollingshead was named MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year after a heroic act ahead of the season. A car had hit the highway median and the passenger was left stranded in the fast lane at dusk without headlights. Hollingshead pulled over and got out of his car to offer assistance, but was struck by an oncoming car and thrown 30 feet into the air, breaking three vertebrae in his neck. He returned to the field 128 days after the accident. 

“I would say on a personal level, I’m playing the best soccer I’ve played in my entire career," Hollingshead said. "At the age that I’m at and amount of the experience I have, I still feel like the best soccer, the best football, is in front of me and it’s in my future. My wife and I are really thankful and optimistic for what this club has ahead of it in the next two years.” 

Dallas currently sit tied for the final playoff place in the Western Conference with four games remaining in the season.