2016 MLS Coach of the Year signs long-term deal to remain in Frisco

FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to a long-term contract extension club Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt announced today. Per team policy, terms will not be released.

After becoming FC Dallas’ head coach on January 10, 2014, Pareja has had unparalleled success. Pareja earned MLS Coach of the Year honors in 2016 after leading Dallas to a domestic double: winning the 2016 U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters’ Shield, the team's first regular-season championship. In the process, FC Dallas became the first team in MLS history to notch 60 points or more in a season for two consecutive years.

“We are excited to ensure Oscar will be our head coach for many years to come,” FC Dallas Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “As a manager and a developer of talent, Oscar has proven himself to be among the elite in our sport, and we look forward to even greater success under his leadership in the future.”

Through his first 100 MLS games, Pareja posted a 50-30-20 record which is the fourth-highest winning percentage for a MLS head coach through the same span. Pareja is currently 53-30-22 (.609) three games into the 2017 MLS season.

“On behalf of my family and the people who work with me, I would like to extend my gratitude to Clark and Dan Hunt and the entire FC Dallas family for having the confidence and belief in us. Our ultimate goal is to continue developing the model, with a commitment to young players, that makes FC Dallas so successful,” Pareja said. “We’re extremely happy here. I feel blessed to continue working here for many more years to come.”

Oscar Pareja’s .609 win percentage is the highest ever for a FC Dallas coach. Pareja is also:

8-1-2 in USOC matches with FC Dallas (2016 US Open Cup Championship)

4-1-2 in CONCACAF Champions’ League matches with FC Dallas (first appearance in tournament semifinals)

3-2-4 in MLS Cup Playoffs with FC Dallas

In Pareja's three seasons, FC Dallas has found success by incorporating a significant number of Homegrown players into the first team. The first-team roster currently features nine Homegrown players, the most in MLS. FC Dallas finished second in 2016 in minutes played by Homegrowns with 4,897.

“Oscar Pareja represents everything that we want to accomplish at FC Dallas,” said FC Dallas president Dan Hunt. “His commitment to our Academy players, his knowledge of the game and his strategic vision are unmatched.”

FC Dallas plays Pachuca in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions semifinals on Tuesday, April 4 in Mexico. FC Dallas resumes MLS play Saturday, April 8 against Minnesota United.

-FCDallas.com-