Renewal or Breakdown? FC Dallas Faces the Tough Task of Replacing Alan Velasco | OneFootball

Alan Velasco, the 22-year-old Argentine phenom who joined FC Dallas in 2022 with sky-high expectations, has been transferred to Boca Juniors. And the transfer fee? A juicy package worth up to $12 million. What seemed like a long-term investment for Dallas now turns into a big-money sale, the second-largest in the club’s history, only behind Ricardo Pepi’s $20 million move to Augsburg, Germany.

This move is just another piece in the puzzle that’s been taking shape at FC Dallas. Recently, the club has also lost two other big names, Paul Arriola and Jesús Ferreira, both now playing for the Seattle Sounders. What’s going on here? Is this a full-on rebuild, or are we witnessing a dismantling that could leave the club vulnerable?

Velasco was one of Dallas’ biggest gambles in recent years. Bought for around $7 million, he arrived as a rising star, the guy everyone thought would take the team to new heights. And while the young Argentine definitely showed flashes of brilliance, he was also hit hard by a serious injury, a torn ACL, that kept him out for most of the 2024 season. What was supposed to be a year of growth turned into a medical nightmare. Still, Velasco managed to score 15 goals and provide a few assists, solid numbers by any standard, especially for someone so young.

With the sale, Dallas locks in a decent chunk of change. But the deal leaves a bittersweet taste. For a team that’s spent years trying to build a solid foundation, it sure seems like they’re now letting go of some of their brightest pieces. Velasco’s departure is a symbolic one. He was one of the key figures alongside Ferreira and Arriola. His move to Boca Juniors raises a big question: is Dallas really prepared to face this wave of change? Or are they just shedding their stars in the name of a “fresh start”?

It’s clear FC Dallas has big aspirations. The club’s not just here to participate, they want to lead the charge. But there’s something odd about this Texas team. They seem to alternate between investing heavily in young talent, only to see them leave for bigger leagues, like Velasco, who was sold to one of Argentina’s biggest clubs. Is MLS really ready to compete with Europe and Latin America when it comes to holding onto its top talents? And if not, how’s Dallas going to handle it?

So what’s next for FC Dallas? The team’s just undergone a shakeup. The loss of Velasco and the other two key players leaves a gap, but it’s also an opportunity. Eric Quill’s leadership is about to be put to the test. The coach will need to act fast and smart to reshape the team and keep them competitive as the season kicks off in February. Sure, it’s tough to lose key players, but on the flip side, Dallas has a chance to make room for fresh talent, young players who can step up, take the spotlight, and steer the ship.

Meanwhile, Boca Juniors is seizing an excellent opportunity to add another key piece to their squad. Velasco arrives in Buenos Aires with big expectations, especially after a season in Dallas that had its ups and downs. If he can bounce back from the injury and show the kind of play that made him such a hot prospect in the U.S., Boca might have just scored big. And who knows, Velasco could become the star that the Argentine giants have been waiting for in their quest for South American glory.