Image: Toros95
01/11/2021
FC Dallas has had another busy week. Yesterday they announced a new right back, Nanu. Today with the annual MLS Super Draft, they'll look to add depth to the roster. First up is a look at the Nanu announcement.
Nanu comes from Portugal, with his most recent club being FC Porto. In FC Porto he made 12 appearances in 2020/2021 season in Primeira Liga, Portugal's top tier league. Unfortunately a horrific head injury kept him off the pitch for three games last year. On February 4th 2021, Nanu collided with Belenenses' goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk in the waning minutes of a 0-0 game. The impact reportedly left him with a concussion and a spinal cord injury. (https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/05/football/porto-nanu-injury-hospital-spt-intl/index.html)
In addition to playing in Primeira Liga, Nanu also had four appearances in the Champions League. Over the course of his career he's scored three goals and earned eleven assists, one of which came in the Champions League. (https://www.transfermarkt.com/nanu/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/291399)
Nanu will bring competition to the right back spot. Late in 2021, Ema Twumasi was able to claim the spot as his own and made a career high twenty-three appearances. The battle for the starting right back spot will be one to watch this preseason. (https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ema-twumasi/stats/)
Prior to the Super Draft today, FC Dallas made a trade with Toronto FC for the third overall pick. FC Dallas also acquired forward Dom Dwyer and immediately bought his contract. Toronto recieved $50,000 in GAM. (https://www.fcdallas.com/news/fc-dallas-acquires-third-overall-pick-in-2022-mls-superdraft-from-toronto-fc)
Dallas used their third pick on Saint Louis University forward, Isaiah Parker. Parker had just started his college careered before entering the drafter. He appeared in twenty-one games, all of SLU's games last season. He started seventeen, scoring three goals and earning seven assists. He also earned numerous awards such as a spot on Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team and Top Drawer Soccer first-team Freshmen Best XI to name a few. (https://slubillikens.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/isaiah-parker/9191)
FC Dallas added depth to their defense with their sixth pick as they selected St. John's University defender Lucas Bartlett. Prior to St. John's, Bartlett played for Loyola University Chicago and Drake University. He was redshirted twice, once by Loyola in 2016 and again by Drake in 2019 where he also suffered an injury that kept him out in all but six games.
During his time with St. John's, he started and played in twenty games. He scored five goals and earned three assists. Bartlett with most likely spend his time with North Texas Soccer Club as he makes the jump to MLS, along with follow draftee Isaiah Parker. (https://redstormsports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/lucas-bartlett/4443)
By Toros95
Twitter: Toros95