Scouting has been a hot topic at FC Dallas the past few days. Silvana Pagliuca had a story about Pablo Ricchetti's disappointment of a 50-name list not being acted upon by FC Dallas. There have been a few things that have made it clear that the technical staff at FC Dallas haven't taken well to it.

Technical Director Fernando Clavijo was unavailable for comment in the article. This may be because he is out of state with family, it may also be dissatisfaction with the subject, but Clavijo is very open and very few topics are off limits. Assistant TD, Luiz Muzzi, Tweeted pointing out that any list of 50 players should have more than the four or five success stories Ricchetti highlighted.

Anyone w a list of “50 promising players” better have 4 or 5 that actually blossomed.. #JustThink #PeopleWithHiddenAgenda #AlDia — Luiz Muzzi (@Luiz_Muzzi) December 24, 2017

The team's new Director of International Scouting, Jose "Chuy" Vera, was both quoted on the subject and got active on social media. A response of sorts came in a quote shared by Al Dia's Walter Roque:

"We look at players, we do evaluations for position according to the needs of Oscar Pareja's coaching staff. Starting from there is where we develop reports. We aim for up to 25 players by position, then we filter it until eight or maximum nine names. From there we deliver report to the technical staff, who not only evaluate the sporting part...Also the languages, lifestyles etc."

While working in soccer, I've been exposed to the technical side and got to know scouts from the English Football League and Premier League. A shortlist that's submitted to technical staff consists of a handful of detailed reports, not just a list of 50 names. Scouts and consultants work for finder's fees if the team sign a player. These are five-figure fees even at a lower league level in England. So the key is, and it's not mentioned in the article, was this 50 comprehensive reports, or just a list of 50 names. With the latter, you then have to research their contract status, how they will adapt to life in Texas, what they will add to the team based on several games, judge their potential growth, assess the risk of recurring injury, how to address any physical issues, and so on. That is the basis for the finder's fee after all.

Something else that was interesting was this Tweet from Chuy Vera from an update with FC Dallas President Dan Hunt:

Sharing opinions about players with @DanHuntFCD 🇻🇪🇺🇸Compartiendo en mi oficina con Mr Dan Hunt. pic.twitter.com/6x3XVdYxIO — jesuschuyvera (@chuyvera15) December 23, 2017

Twitter account, South End Dallas, was quick to note the names that are visible on the board. Unfortunately, Chuy's head obscures those of a target from Belgian side, Royal Antwerp, as well as a 21-year-old Belgian player (Antwerp's roster lacks a player matching the partial name and age, so I assume they're separate). One thing that I would note is that this is not a new photo, there are a couple of players that age the photo closer to when Vera joined FC Dallas in August. It's as good a time as any to be fully submerged in silly season though!

Alexander Barboza, 22 - Center back - River Plate

The Argentine center half makes a reported $360,000 at Argentine giants, River Plate. He's been at Mauro Diaz's former team since June but has only played a handful of games. He is considered a player with a strong future, so that may be a potential loan move. Barboza is renowned as having a strong aerial presence, like that of the recently departed Walker Zimmerman.

Eder Alvarez Balanta, 24 - Center back / left back - Basel

The Colombian 2014 World Cup veteran would certainly be one for Anibal Chala's DP slot. In addition to over $500,000 dollars in salary, he's only two years removed from a $4m move from River Plate to the Swiss club. As a player who played 90 minutes in Basel's Champions' League win over Manchester United last month, it doesn't seem likely that Dallas would be able to land the defender.

Jorge Salinas, 25 - Left wing - JEF United Chiba

I wasn't able to find a great deal out about Salinas, but only eight starts and no goals in the Japanese second division doesn't sound like someone that will be among those final targets for FC Dallas.

Forrest Lasso, 24 - Center back - FC Cincinnati

Lasso would have been a development project, however he moved from Charleston to Cincinnati last month.

Tomas Mejias, 28 - Goalkeeper - Middlesbrough

A goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet for Real Madrid is an impressive start, although it was only six minutes of a 4-0 win over Getafe in 2011. As Boro's third choice keeper, he has spent six months riding the pine on loan at Rayo Vallecano. His contract is up in the summer, although a $500,000 salary for a 28-year-old with only six minutes played in any domestic top flight league is concerning.

Anderson Ordonez, 24 - Center back - Eintracht Frankfurt

The Ecuadorian defender can be ruled out after being loaned to LDU Quito just last week.

German Conti, 23 - Centerback - Colon

Considered similar to Barboza, Conti's salary was at around $230,000 before signing a new contract in October. That may leave him as a loan, or off the table altogether.

One extra was Federico Carrizo, who has been linked with a move to Frisco in the South American media.

Federico Carrizo, 26 - Left wing / right wing - Rosario Central

3rd Degree

Another Argentine from Rosario, like Maxi Urruti. Carizzo is considered technically more gifted than Fabian Castillo, albeit at a slower pace more akin to Roland Lamah or Tesho Akindele. He only returned to Rosario Central in February following a spell at Boca Juniors, and is on a reported $425k per year. Something interesting is that he is an inverted winger - a right footed player on the left wing - much like new left back Anton Nedyalkov.