As we dive further into the offseason for FC Dallas, we’re taking a player at a time to decide whether or not the community at large wants them back for another season. Yesterday we began our Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down series with a look at the club’s most expensive player in Roland Lamah.

Up today, is Tesho Akindele.

What Tesho brings to the table

The former Rookie of the Year wrapped up his fourth season with the club. After four seasons with the team, we have a good idea of what Tesho brings to the table and what he really doesn’t.

Oscar Pareja relied on him in almost every game this season, similar to what we’ve seen in the past. He appeared in 29 games, making 15 starts. He typically lined up on the wing, a position he isn’t totally equipped for as his ability to get back on defense isn’t great. His crossing isn’t on par with what you’d need from a winger either.

But the guy has a weird way of showing up just when you need him to. He doesn’t score a ton anymore but when he does they are big goals.

This year was his least productive year on the stat sheet with just four goals and zero assists.

Salary impact

All things considered, his total compensation of $115k isn’t that big of a salary hit to the club. But you do have to ask yourself, is he really giving you everything for the salary he is being paid?

Final thoughts

I know most of you won’t bat an eye to this one and say move on. And in some ways I am totally on board with that idea.

On the field, Tesho isn’t what you’d like to have. In the locker room however is another story. He’s a good person to have in that capacity as he does fit well with the group as a whole.

At the end of the day he is still a Pareja-guy. We know he’s loyal to players like Tesho so it could be hard for the club to actually move on from him. I’d be okay with him staying but with a reduced role.

What do you all think? One more year or let him go off into the Re-Entry Draft?