FRISCO - Tuesday’s official addition of Honduran World Cup veteran Maynor Figueroa to Oscar Pareja’s FCD roster brings two big things you simply can’t teach: versatility and experience.
While Pareja has said he would love to add another attacking player, Figueroa is the perfect fit for what he’s looking for as he finalizes his rear guard for the upcoming season.
“He’s a natural central back that seems very comfortable as a left back so he gives us the possibility to use him in either position,” said Pareja. “I just wanted to add a defender who can give me those two options and that was a perfect fit.”
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With over 200 games of English Premier League experience, a starting role in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup and familiarity with the region, Figueroa should bring a strong influence to the FCD locker room, vital for a campaign that now includes CONCACAF Champions League as well.
“Players who have been around and who have collected that many games at the highest level are very important for this group,” said Pareja. “We have a young core of players who need to see examples on the field how to do things, and off-the-field also. Maynor surely will bring that.”
The versatility is huge too. As FCD waits to see what happens with other center back options and Pareja desiring a move for Ryan Hollingshead up the field, Figueroa gives Dallas a rock-solid option both centrally and at outside back.
“We all know he will bring in experience, leadership and somebody who knows the position very well,” Pareja said of Figueroa. “He will create, for us, the possibility to maybe have Ryan back in his [natural] spot, knowing that he can still play there [at defender].”
With what Pareja hopes to be major title challenges on four fronts – Supporters’ Shield, Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and MLS Cup – while dealing with international callups, having players who can play multiple positions is essential to season-long success.
“With three tournaments this year, it’s going to be essential that everybody is willing to fulfill what we need,” said Pareja. “This year is going to be a very busy schedule and I’m pretty sure we will have those scenarios where somebody has to fill a spot for somebody else.”