FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez took to the radio airwaves last Thursday February 27th for the first installment of “The Luchi Gonzalez Show” on 105.3 The Fan, presented by Toyota. Over the course of the season, Gonzalez will join K&C Masterpiece on Thursday’s at 1:30 PM.
“If I can share my experiences with the city of Dallas and with you guys, I think it is great for the club and this is a great experience for me,” Gonzalez said. “So, I’m honored.”
The first question Gonzalez fielded: Why should people all around the Metroplex care about FC Dallas this season?
“I think it is just a matter of time,” Gonzalez said. “Some of our youth clubs are now in the city, closer to South Dallas. So, from a youth and development standpoint, I know there are efforts for that connection to the rest of the city… This is a really important city; it is in my heart. I went to SMU. I love all the areas of Dallas and I want to make sure that love is felt in the whole community. I just encourage everybody to come out and come support us.”
Gonzalez continued by stressing the importance of the club’s fanbase. Without them, Gonzalez said, any future success on the field would not be possible.
“If FC Dallas is going to change the history and win an MLS cup, it is not going to be without the effort, the commitment and the sacrifice of the city of Dallas and the growing fanbase,” he said.
To close out his first segment, Gonzalez discussed the futures of both Reggie Cannon and new signing Tanner Tessmann, who became the club’s 28th Homegrown talent to put pen to paper.
“I am very supportive of Reggie continuing his career at FC Dallas and I know the club and him are in very important conversations,” Gonzalez said. “We want Reggie to be successful. We know that FC Dallas is involved in that success. If one day Reggie has a career in Europe, it’s because of the steps, the full sacrifice and giving everything to FC Dallas.”
Tessmann, who decided to pursue the professional route rather than stick with the initial plan of attending and competing at Clemson, may play a role come Saturday, as the club takes the field for the 2020 Home Opener against Philadelphia Union.
“Tanner made a decision to commit to the opportunity we were wanting to give him here at FC Dallas at the professional, first team level,” Gonzalez said. “I am just so proud of him.”
Gonzalez spoke highly of Tessmann’s commitment over the years, including being the longest serving member of the club’s residency program.
“That is a big sacrifice, leaving your home when you are 14 years old and growing up really quick. [You are] doing your laundry, cooking your food and having to make adaptations and mature quickly to sacrifice to our Academy. Now, he is a signed first team player.”
