Dallas hoping Ferreira returns for 2010
On-loan Colombian midfielder brought creativity to FCD midfield
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Last February, FCD signed Ferreira on loan from Brazilian partner Clube Atletico Parananense. It's an arrangement FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman would certainly like to see continue.
"All I can say on the specific side is we're still talking and still determining. Saying that, I think David was very good for us this year, especially the latter part of the season from the midway part of the season because I think he adjusted to the league," Hyndman said. "I think he adjusted to the officiating. I think he adjusted to his teammates. We saw a value in him as far as our No. 10. If you go back a year ago, that was one of the positions I said we needed to get. There is an opportunity to see if we can bring him back. Our intent right now is to evaluate him very closely and see if we can get that done."
The 30-year-old Colombian is receptive to returning to FCD in 2010.
"First of all, I have to talk to the club and see if I am coming back next year. I have to deal with that first," he said. "If I'm lucky enough to come back, then I will start working out. To spend almost two or three months away from something is too long. I will take some time with my family but then I will start working out so I don't come back here overweight. I will come back and be in shape."
Like many players who come to MLS from abroad, Ferreira's adjustment, at least initially, was a rough one. However, he persevered and turned into one of the circuit's top newcomers by year end.
"Everybody knows that at the beginning, it was really hard for me. I had to understand the physical part of the league and also my teammates," he said. "Then, as it started progressing, I started understanding how this league is played and also the movement of my teammates. Once I got used to that, I started enjoying playing here. It was a really nice run at the end to almost make the playoffs. Hopefully next year, if I come back, we can make the playoffs and go from there."
It's also not hard to tell that he feels he has found a home with Hyndman's club.
"I really enjoyed the time that I was here. I enjoyed the ownership and coaching staff," Ferreira said. "I appreciate them believing in me even though I was struggling at the beginning. I would like to come back. I will meet with the ownership and coaching staff to see if they want me to come back. I really wish that I can come back and play here again next year."
FCD missed qualifying for the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs by a mere point. Once the season had concluded, Hyndman made no bones about what two of his top priorities were heading into the offseason. One was re-signing midfielder Dax McCarty, an extension the club quickly got done. Now they move on to securing Ferreira's rights from CAP.
Ferreira, for one, is glad to see McCarty receive that contract extension.
"I was really happy and excited when I heard that Dax was coming back. That was one of the players that actually helped me a lot on the field," he said. "With the style of play that Dax has, he complements my play. He can go and try to create. He also helped me score goals. He is a really good player and he is very important for next year. It's great that he's coming back."
Along with fellow 30-something Dave van den Bergh, who led FCD in assists and was the only other player to start every game in 2009, Ferreira and McCarty give their club a solid foundation in the midfield. Holding midfielder Daniel Hernandez might or might not return as he is mulling a return to Mexico. Atiba Harris, who manned the right flank after coming over in a trade with Chivas USA, performed solidly and should also return. That would once again make Hyndman's club solid in the midfield, one of their huge strengths in 2009.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
