Image: FC Dallas
01/20/2022
FC Dallas has announced the acquisition of Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Paes. He will be with Dallas on a short-term six month loan with an option to buy. (https://www.fcdallas.com/news/fc-dallas-acquires-goalkeeper-maarten-paes-on-loan-from-fc-utrecht)
Paes has spent the last four years with FC Utrecht. In 48 appearances, he's conceded 63 goals and has 12 clean sheets. (https://www.transfermarkt.us/maarten-paes/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/396077)
Paes is the third goalkeeper officially on Dallas' roster, behind veteran Jimmy Maurer and drafted keeper Alec Smir (who is listed on FC Dallas' roster page). (https://www.fcdallas.com/roster/)
He will most likely compete with Maurer for the starting spot and depending on covid protocols, could see some time with MLS Next Pro side, North Texas Soccer Club. He should have ample time, given the option to keep match fit with NTSC, to prove he's an MLS starting quality keeper. Maurer has been a rock between the posts for Dallas in recent years but given an injury issue last season and his age (33 years old), having a solid backup and a plan for the future is a must for Dallas.
The short loan is a safe play by Andres Zanotta and FC Dallas. Instead of being forced to keep an unneeded player on the books, they'll be able to move him along quickly should he not work out. The battle between him and Maurer should be a fun one to watch during the preseason camp.
By Toros95