Back in November after FC Dallas crashed out of the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, I wrote up a piece with my suggested offseason rebuild plan for FC Dallas. When I wrote that piece I made two big assumptions, first, that Clark and Dan Hunt would still own FC Dallas (they do) and second, that Oscar Pareja would still be the head coach (he's not).

Dan Hunt (left) and Clark Hunt (right) pose with new FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez. (12/17/18) (Buzz Carrick / 3rd Degree)

With Pareja gone the Hunts have turned to Luchi Gonzalez to run their team. That's not going to be the massive paradigm shift other coaches might have been; instead, it will just be some subtle tweaks.

What is perhaps more interesting is the departure of Luiz Muzzi, FC Dallas VP of Soccer Operations, to Orlando City. Muzzi was, according to our sources and multiple reports, involved in the decision making for both FC Dallas and Orlando City at the same time just before Christmas.

But Muzzi is now officially gone and Luchi Gonzalez, Dan Hunt, and the new technical director (unannounced) for North Texas SC Chris Hayden (is he still VP of FC Dallas Youth and U19 Academy coach?) seem to be making the decisions based on some kind of pre-made plan from before all the staff departures.

FCD will eventually get a new Technical Director, Clark Hunt says. The most prominent rumor points to André Zanotta from Gremio (and formally of Traffic, see Fernando Clavijo and Luiz Muzzi) as the guy.

Anyway, FC Dallas has been making moves. Let's check in with their progress and see how it fits with what I suggested.

Dumping Cap

First I suggested that FC Dallas dump some (mostly older) less used players to create cap room. My list went like this: 1. Cristian Colman, 2. Roland Lamah, 3. Anibal Chala, 4. Abel Aguilar, and 5. Maynor Figueroa.

Which is (almost) exactly what FC Dallas proceeded to do. Lamah, Aguilar, and Figueroa had their options declined while Chala was transferred to LDU Quinto. (Side note: Lamah later had his MLS rights picked by FC Cincinnati in the expansion draft.)

The only difference from my list was trading Maxi Urruti and his escalating contract ($1.2 million in 2019 and $1.4 million in 2020) to Montreal Impact for a handful of peanuts instead of dumping Colman. Urruti's number is actually a bigger cut that Colman would have been, so it's even more of a cap dump than I suggested.

I'm ok with Urruti being traded. So much of FCD the last few years was about Urruti's work and drive, but he was a tough tactical fit and FCD seems to be clearing some room in the lineup. He had a good run, I'm ok with moving on. Particularly at those contract numbers.

FRISCO, TX - FEBRUARY 23: FC Dallas forward Cristian Colman (#9) celebrates his first half goal during the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal match between CD Arabe Unido and FC Dallas on February 23, 2017, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. FC Dallas won the game 4-0. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire) (Matthew Visinsky / Icon Sportswire)

Colman, aside from being injured, probably has a guaranteed deal for 2019 or else FC Dallas would have just let his contract expire. Although there is a chance, as I mentioned in the original piece, that FCD might be keeping him to see if they can recoup some money by selling after he regains his health.

At this point, I would be surprised if Colman played for FCD again. He's going to be out for a lot of, if not all, the 2019 season and probably will end up on a season-long injured reserve.

Additionally, as expected, we saw a few contract options declined on bottom of the roster players. Jordan Cano, Kris Reaves, and Adonijah Reid all, not surprisingly, had their options declined.

Reaves' name, however, didn't end up on the Waiver draft or re-entry list, which means FCD has made a "bonafide offer" to him and we should see him competing for a place in the spring. I'm glad to see that, if he can stay healthy he's got a future.

I was a little surprised Kyle Zobeck was retained. But he is a hard working training player and it wouldn't cost much to waive him later if needed. FCD has two starters in Jesse Gonzalez or Jimmy Maurer, it's a long drop off to Zobeck.

An Unexpected Departure

FC Dallas midfielder Victor Ulloa (8) flashes a heart shape with his hands to the fans after scoring a goal to make the score 2-0 during the first half as FC Dallas hosted the Portland Timbers at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on September 3, 2016. (Stewart F. House/Special to The Dallas Morning News) (Stewart F. House / Special Contributor)

I next predicted that someone unexpected would leave. At the time I guessed Carlos Gruezo... which was close but not accurate.

Instead, FCD shockingly traded their other holding mid, Homegrown-icon Victor Ulloa.

Trading Ulloa got FCD some TAM/GAM to play with and opens up a spot in the lineup for either a young player (Brandon Servania, Jacori Hayes, or Paxton Pomykal perhaps) or a signing (Honduran international Bryan Acosta?).

Solving FCD Problem Areas

Up next I identified some trouble spots FCD might look to improve. Let's go through them.

1. Give Reggie Cannon a raise. He is under contract for 2019, that's good. FC Dallas should be signing Cannon to a new bigger four-year deal. If they keep exploiting him on the cheap on his first contract he will likely walk away at the end of it. If FCD can't get him on a new contract they will need to sell him before this one runs out, whether that is this year or next I don't know. Status: incomplete.

Zdeněk Ondrášek (MARCIN PIRGA / CYFRASPORT)

2. Goal Scorer. FCD actually went out and got a striker, 30-year-old Czech forward Zdeněk Ondrášek. Ondrášek arrives from Polish side Wisla Krakow on a free transfer. Prime of his career, if the tail of it, that's good. But the Polish league isn't inspiring nor is the old Achilles injury. We'll see how it goes. Status: solved. Hopefully.

3. Linking Mid. If you buy into the FC Dallas youth movement, then the 8-spot could be going to a Homegrown player like Brandon Servania. Don't rule out Jacori Hayes either. There are also gobs of reports from Honduras that FC Dallas is signing Bryan Acosta for this role. Status: solved. Maybe.

4. Leadership. So far I don't see FC Dallas making a move with this in mind. Perhaps Acosta could be The Man, but I'm not sure since he's 25 years old. Ondrášek has the right look of intensity, I wonder if he speaks Spanish? With such a young head coach in Gonzalez FCD may be happy to go without an intense locker room leader type player. Statues: unsolved (but may not want to).

5. Goalkeeper. FCD needs some stability at the keeper spot. Rumors abound of Mexican teams wanting Jesse Gonzalez. But so far it may be same/same in 2019. Status: Unsolved.

6. Rebuild the offense. Urruti and Akindele out (we'll get back to the latter). Ondrášek in. It also seems like Pablo Aranguiz is being given the keys to the bus. But let's see some spring training before we write his name in pen on the lineup card. Status: Underway.

7. Free Kicks. FCD could still use a dynamic free kick taker. Could Ondrášek be it? Maybe Aranguiz can be that guy? More Mosquera? Status: unknown.

Trade Bait

Getting toward the end of my plan, I talked about FCD having lots of trade bait, particularly at the wing position.

And bang, Tesho Akindele was traded for phat cash. That's a good move. Akindele had probably plateaued, this move gets him to a team where he can play more, and it clears some PT with FCD for younger bodies.

Urriti and Ulloa traded. And FCD has still more pieces that could be used.

Any More Surprises?

Yes, actually.

A pleasant bonus is the addition of Brazilian defender Bressan. Because of his exile from Gremio, FC Dallas is getting, on paper, a seriously good value signing for cheap. Bressan is nominally a left center back but can play anywhere on the backline. Defensive depth was a problem all last year (Moises Hernandez helped) just not one I thought would get addressed via a signing.

The surprise signing of Ricardo Pepi to FCD's USL side North Texas SC is a massive move for the future, but won't impact 2019 in MLS terms.

Who's Back?

This was the list of players I had as the core of the roster going into 2019 - if FCD didn't make changes beyond the salary cap cuts I mentioned. As you can see from my cross-outs, already 4 changes on my list. Reaves potentially a 5th.

Forward or wings:

, Dom Badji, Michael Barrios,

, Santiago Mosquera, and Paxton Pomykal.

Central Midfield:

Pablo Aranguiz,

, Carlos Gruezo, and Jacori Hayes.

Defense:

Marcos Pedroso, Reto Ziegler, Matt Hedges, Reggie Cannon,

, Kris Reaves (?), Moises Hernandez, and Ryan Hollingshead.

Goalkeeper:

Jesse Gonzalez, Jimmy Maurer, and Kyle Zobeck.

Core Additions: Ondrášek, Bressan, Acosta (maybe), and, I think, Servania from the "reserves."

So Is There a Youth Movement?

No, there isn't. I think I've shown that in this post.

Instead, there's a youth tweak in depth. Take a look at this hypothetical FCD starting XI using a 4-3-3 (the lineup I think Coach Gonzalez prefers)

A hypothetical FC Dallas starting XI in a 4-3-3 as of January 1, 2019. (Created at http://chosen11.com/ / 3rd Degree)

I see three positions up for battle, including at goalkeeper, and only one of them includes a "young" Homegrown and that's the 8-spot with Brandon Servania. (If Acosta doesn't sign then Servania may be the opening day starter.) That's not a youth movement.

As for the rest of the youth...

Francis Atuahene and Ema Twumasi both will benefit from the Akindele departure but most of that playing time will go to Paxton Pomykal who was often in the 18 last season.

Paxton Pomykal of FC Dallas. (FCD Communications / FC Dallas)

Jesus Ferriera should benefit from the Urruti sale, along with Colman's injury. He's going to be part of the squad a lot more.

Bryan Reynolds has made some progress and I expect him to make his MLS debut in 2019. Pareja said Reynolds was ready to start if need be in late 2018. So Reynolds won't play a ton but I expect him to crack a lineup or two. FC Dallas needs to prep him for the forgone (I hate to say it) Cannon sale.

Chris Richards celebrates while playing for Bayern Munich U19 side. (Bayern Munich)

Chris Richards' return from his loan to Bayern Munich remains a big question. His buy has been reported as $1.25 mil but Dan Hunt says Richards is part of FCD's 2019 plans. Richards' sale or return may determine Kris Reaves fate. If Richards returns, he will play next year as Hedges backup.

Thomas Roberts will be around but I anticipate he will spend most of 2019 with North Texas SC.

Mauro Cichero, a 2018 SuperDraft pick who has spent the year with FCD rehabbing his Oct 2017 ACL tear, is an unknown x-factor. He just starting jogging and doing some light ball work in November of 2018. Keep his time-frame in mind in regard to Colman, who tore his ACL in Oct of 2018.

And I expect one more MLS Homegrown signing before the season: Edwin Cerrillo. I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. He will also play a ton for NTXSC.

Anything Else?

Why yes, actually. The secondary window is open (January 1) for a whole lot of leagues around the world, which will affect outbound players. The MLS window actually opens in February and that will affect inbound players. So...

I expect another move or two.

I've had a gut instinct that Carlos Gruezo is gone this winter. The timing just feels right. Pareja is gone, Gruezo is back in the Ecuador squad, and FCD might be rebuilding a bit. He won't want to fall out of the Ecuador team again.

Plus, if FCD is really bringing in Bryan Acosta that's a kick to the face of Brandon Servania - unless Gruezo is leaving too. Servania had an amazing Concacaf U20 tournament playing as a 6 making the Best XI. The time is right to give Servania a serious look for a starting spot. If Acosta comes, maybe Servania takes over as the 6 instead of the 8?

Brandon Servania of FC Dallas playing in the 2018 Concacaf U20 Championship against Trinidad and Tobago (Concacaf / Concacaf)

Not to forget Jacori Hayes either. As well as he played to start 2018 Hayes may have something to say as well.

And after that, I expect one more shoe to drop. Exactly what, I don't predict.

Maybe at goalkeeper... or maybe a wing could be moved. FCD still has too many players at wing/forward and needs to clear a little space for Ferreira, Atuahene, or Twumasi. In my mind, one of the latter two being the most likely to be traded.

Stay tuned.