Big D Soccer: Could Picking Juan Pablo Angel Be In The Offing?

There’s no question about it: The most intriguing name currently in the Re-Entry Draft pool is Juan Pablo Angel. Over four MLS seasons, he’s scored 58 goals in 102 regular season matches. That’s easily the best total over that stretch.

Even at 35, he’s coming off a season in which he scored 13 goals and had four assists. He could probably start for almost any team in MLS right now.

So, it’s no wonder why Daniel Robertson at Big D Soccer is among those encouraging FC Dallas to make Angel the franchise’s second ever Designated Player.

Angel would be a perfect addition to a Dallas lineup that’s only glaring hole is a pure finisher up front. Ruben Luna is still a year away from starting on this team and what a perfect player for the youngster to emulate.

As Robertson points out, the red flag with Angel is that salary. Here’s the thing, though: Whether or not Angel is willing to take less money than he’s owed, he’s going probably going to count the same against the salary cap. On paper, FC Dallas has an awful lot to gain by signing a player like Angel. Coming off their most successful season in their history and needing to build on that momentum, a big-name, high-impact player like Angel could be the kind of thing to move the needle.

If Angel falls to the Toros with the 15th pick in the draft and they don’t take him because they are hoping to take him in Stage 2 so that they can renegotiate that contract, I think it would be a huge mistake. The risk/reward here just makes no sense. Dallas’ best hope for signing Angel is to take him in Stage 1 and swallow the costs.