With 2012 just around the corner, FCDallas.com recently sat down with FC Dallas President & CEO Doug Quinn to discuss the state of the club. In part one of this two-part Q&A series, Quinn discusses the future of the Academy, current player personnel expectations and needs, and reflects on the team's achievements in 2011.
FCDallas.com: What’s the latest on David Ferreira?
Doug Quinn : We see David every day. He’s down in the weight room with the trainers first thing in the morning, working to get stronger. We can’t wait to see him back on the field this season, but I’m sure as excited as we are, he’s even more anxious to lace up his boots and rejoin the team when they return for preseason.
FCDallas.com: Is the team working on any roster moves during the January window?
Quinn: We’re always working to get better, to find the right pieces of the puzzle. We went out and locked down several of the players we felt were the core of our squad in the past year, but we certainly aren’t finished yet. We know there are things that need to be addressed. We need to add some depth to our back line. We need a striker. Our coaches are out every week, scouting, looking for players that might fit into what we want to do here, who can help us get back to MLS Cup and win a championship.
FCDallas.com: Is the team looking more at external teams and resources, or at its own Academy for its next signing?
Quinn: We have a plethora of talented players in our Academy system. It’s one of the reasons why we’re so successful at that level. A lot of factors go into a decision to sign a player, so it’s tough to say exactly where the next player is coming from unless that player has already been identified and the process is already underway. We all know how precious one of those 30 roster spots is, so we want to be sure any player we sign is the right fit for our club. Our philosophy is to field a team that is a balance of international, domestic and Home Grown talent.
FCDallas.com: Does FC Dallas have plans to build a residency program?
Quinn: Eventually, yes. We’ve already laid the foundation for it in our relationship with Frisco ISD and with our affiliate program. The goal is definitely to have a residency program here some day.
FCDallas.com: Any big plans for Richard Sanchez on the horizon?
Quinn: As for Richard, he’s still very young and we’re incredibly proud of everything he’s accomplished and how much progress we see out of him every day. We know there’s only so much you can get out of training each day, and we need to find a way to get him some games. He’s only just turned 18 and we have one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history minding the net at the moment, so we have the luxury of not rushing Richard into anything before he’s ready, while at the same time providing Richard a world class mentor in Kevin Hartman.
FCDallas.com: What are your plans for Brek Shea in 2012?
Quinn: MLS All-Star; Golden Boot; MVP; an Olympic Gold Medal; a consistent player with the USMNT in the qualifying group stage for the 2014 FIFA World Cup; and MLS Cup. Is that too much? The sky is the limit for Brek, but we need to be careful not to put too much pressure on a fantastic, but still young, player. Our fans love him here. We love him here. We want to give him as much support as possible and watch him continue to grow with FC Dallas. There are times when he amazes us as much as anyone. His goals against L.A., Sporting Kansas City, Toronto; he was a human highlight reel and he just keeps getting better. I think everyone in American soccer is just having fun right now watching him develop as a player. We’re thrilled he’s in an FCD shirt.
FCDallas.com: Are you replacing Barry Gorman?
Quinn: Yes, we are looking at Technical Director candidates to reinforce our team staff.
FCDallas.com: What was the highest high of 2011 for FC Dallas in your opinion?
Quinn: There were so many moments, it’s difficult to choose. Watching this team surprise everybody with their unbeaten streak after David was injured; becoming the first American team to beat a Mexican team on Mexican soil; setting a franchise record for shutout minutes; the rise of Brek Shea to MVP candidate; three sell out games and greater relevance in the local sports and soccer communities. 2011 really was a great year for FC Dallas.
Stay tuned to FCDallas.com next week for part two of this Q&A series with Quinn, in which he discusses the business side of club plans for 2012, including stadium changes, increasing attendance and working towards a jersey sponsorship.
