FC Dallas has signed two defenders of late (Nedyalkov & Ziegler) and are reported to have sold Anibal Chala to LDU Quito. That leaves the club with five open senior roster spots, one of which (probably?) needs to go to Jesse Gonzalez after his reported raise kicks in. Obviously more players could be moved to open more space if necessary.

If nothing else changes here's the Starting XI right now...

FC Dallas projected 2018 First XI as of January 2nd

That doesn't like quite so "the cycle is over" in terms of change from 2017... But then again, we still expect more changes. It seems to us that the #9 spot and left wing might still be in play.

Also a few more questions about the current roster remain...

Will Coy Craft re-sign? Will FCD complete the homegrown signing of Brandon Servania from Wake Forest?

If both those players sign, there will be only one open spot on the off-budget roster for FCD. Gonzalez promotion could make two. Promoting someone like Jacori Hayes or Reggie Cannon could open more off-budget spots at the cost of the aforementioned five senior spots.

Edit: Servania signed, taking one of the off-budget roster spots.

So there will still be seven more potential newcomers, eight if Craft is out... more if FCD dumps someone else.

FCD could use another defender, a 3rd keeper, and as we said maybe a striker and/or winger. Plus the draft is coming up.

So more changes to come.

Roster Dance 2018

MLS rosters hold at up to 30 players. Players 1 to 20 are on the Senior Roster and have to fit in the salary cap. (MLS teams may carry only 18 players on this senior roster if they wish.)

Senior Roster (18 to 20 players)

1.- Not a DP anymore, nor an Int. A pure #10.

2.(HG) - Holding/linking mid, American face of franchise.

3.- FCD's Captain. Center back.

4.(Int) - 2017 assist leader. Right mid/wing.

5.(Young DP, Int) - Holding mid.

6.- Not an International. Under contract, but may be looking to leave.

7.- Versatile lefty mid/def.

8.(HG) - D-mid 2choice.

9.- Role player who can fill multiple spots.

10.- 24, Bulgarian Int LB from CSKA Sofia. Reported cost $1.5 Mil.

11.(Int.) - Wide mid, but not a slasher like Barrios is.

12.(Young DP, Int) - Turns 24 in Feb. No more Young-DP? Guaranteed deal.

13.- New 1 year deal for 2018. Left or center back. 34.

14.(Int.) - Center Back, Swiss. 31.

15.- GK, signed free agent. Formally with New York Cosmos.

16.- FCD needs an upgrade at the 9?

17.- Can FCD solve its lopsided midfield?

18.- FCD needs another CB after Zimmerman trade for depth.

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19.- Maybe. 19and 20spots don't have to be used.

20.- Probably.

Off Budget Roster - (10 players) No salary cap hit.

Supplemental Roster - (roster spots 21 to 24)

21.(HG) - 18' Option not picked up. FCD negotiating. Needs PT Badly.

22.(HG) - 10 to 12 games '18, 1000 mins? But at what position? He's 18.

23.(GA) - Needs to find his role with the team.

24.(HG) - New $250k deal starts in '18, should get roster promoted. #1 keeper.

Reserve Roster - (roster spots 25 to 28) $53k salary, age 24 and under only.

(Can include HGs who make more but are bought down.)

25.(HG) - Coming off U17 World Cup. Right wing.

26.- 2017 Draft pick. D-mid backup. 22

27.(HG) -Box to box MF.

28.

Homegrown Reserves - (players 29 and 30) Same as Reserve Roster but homegrown only.

29.(HG) - Right back starter at this point. 19

30.(HG) - More an off-forward than a-mid. Turns 17 in Dec '17.

USL Roster

Players signed by FC Dallas for their USL team, that FC Dallas doesn't have, through their deal with OKC Energy. Basically these are paid practice players.

1. Carlos Avilez - The only USL player at this point.

The Others List

Players let go from 2017, trialists, and linked-to-FCD names.

Anibal Chala - Reportedly sold to LDU Quito

- Argentine defender. Twitter Link. With Colon.

- defender. Twitter Link. Colombian. With Basel.

- River Plate defender linked to FCD.

- 26 year old Argentine winger with Rosario Central. Linked to FCD.

Free agent after 2017, signed with Houston.

- Ecuadorian striker linked to FCD.

- Traded to LAFC for top allocation spot and $250k/$250k allocation.

- Trialist. Left flanker/winger. Signed with Phoenix Rising.

- Trialist. Colorado Springs Switchbacks I think.

- Trialist.

- Trail / training stint post 2017. Forward. Former FC Dallas player.

- Trail / training stint post 2017. Forward. Former FC Dallas player.

- Furman keeper mentioned by Carter Baum as a possible FCD homegrown target.

- too old for reserve roster 3keeper? '18 Option not picked up.

- former homegrown. Turning 25. '18 Option not picked up.

- '18 Option not picked up. Moving into coaching?

- Turning 25. '18 Option not picked up.

(Int) - 2017 Loan ended. '18 Option not picked up.

(Int) - 2017 loan ended. '18 Option not picked up.

(Int) - 2017 Loan ended. '18 Option not picked up.

- '18 Option not picked up.