FC Dallas left back Marquinhos Pedroso may be leaving in the near future. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that a deal to send the Brazilian to D.C. United for first-round pick in the 2020 draft is done. The potential trade, however, is pending MLS approval.

Marquinhos Pedroso trained apart from the group at the start of Tuesday's session before leaving before the session was finished. He later returned but did not take part in any activities.

After training, an FCD spokesperson said the player would not be available to speak with reporters, and coach Luchi Gonzalez declined to comment.

A swap would make sense, though. The 25-year-old started 13 matches after joining in the summer of 2018 but has started only once so far this season. Ryan Holingshead has displaced him from the starting lineup, with rookie John Nelson having made three appearances and capable to fill in as Hollingshead's back-up.

Speaking generally, and not about the rumored trade, right back Reggie Cannon said the defense's cohesion this season has been a strength of the team that should continue even against Houston's star wingers.

"The back line has been very solid, and I have no doubt whoever is going to step up is going to do the job," he said. "It's going to be tough dealing with (Houston's wingers). It's something we haven't seen before. But I have no doubt that Matt, Reto, John, whoever is ready to step up will do that job."

Below is the original post from Buzz Carrick.

Update 10 pm: Pedroso seems to be on his way somewhere.

He’s on his way somewhere pic.twitter.com/2tq3vrxxtU — wmh (@williamhagens) May 1, 2019

According to multiple reports from DC and MLS reporters, FC Dallas has traded left back Marquinhos Pedroso to DC United for a 2020 1st round SuperDraft pick. FC Dallas will also reportedly keep Pedroso's salary on their cap this season.

D.C. United trades 2020 first-round draft pick to FC Dallas for Marquinhos Pedroso, a LB in 4-man backline and wingback in a 5. Dallas apparently keeping salary on books. DCU needs immediate help with Mora out for awhile longer and McCann still on mend. #dcu #fcd — Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) April 30, 2019

FC Dallas just traded their back-up LB.



I think this is a vote of confidence in John Nelson (20-year-old Generation adidas draft pick from this year), and maybe a prelude to signing their U19 academy LB Kevin Bonilla? Or U17 LB Jonathan Gomez, who's a BIG prospect. — Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) April 30, 2019

An FCD Spokesperson at Tuesday training gave a "no comment" response when asked about a pending trade but Pedroso was pulled out of training at roughly the same time as the reports appeared. There is no official confirmation from FC Dallas of the trade yet.

Technicality is holding up the deal. Sides and league still working on it. — Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) April 30, 2019

Update 2:30 pm CT: Goff reports that the hold up is in the method FCD used to sign Pedroso, "discretionary targeted allocation money," that prevents such a player for being traded for a year. The clubs are still trying to work out the move.

The 25-year-old Brazilian, defense-first left back never really fit in the system employed by Coach Luchi Gonzalez. Coming off an offseason core muscle repair surgery, Pedroso lost his place to Ryan Hollingshead and has been unable to regain it. Rookie left back John Nelson has played so well he has moved ahead of Pedroso in the depth chart as well.

Given the relatively low value of the SuperDraft pick, DC is likely to finish near the top of the Eastern Conference, and FCD eating the cap hit this year, all indications are that Gonzalez really wanted to get Pedroso off the roster.

There have been no signs that Pedroso is a locker room problem. The guy works hard even when not starting and fights for his position. "Marquinhos [Pedroso] is a player that I have a lot of respect for. He's a true professional and he works hard every single day," Coach Gonzalez said just last week. "He has a fantastic attitude with his teammates and enjoys his work."

Which leads us to conclude a couple of things.

1) FCD really wanted to open an international spot. Dan Hunt has been talking all spring about getting a player from Bayern Munich this summer. FCD will need a spot for that player.

2) There is probably a guaranteed contract for Pedroso next season. FCD is probably eating the cap this year to clear the cap space for next year.

Pedroso was on $330,000 for the half season last year. His season-long contract is probably double that and isn't a number you want to spend on a player buried down the depth chart under the new coach. Since Pedroso was an emergency summer window signing last year after Anton Nedyalkov bailed on the club, FCD likely overpaid him.

This trade, in a way, is also an endorsement of rookie John Nelson. Hollingshead at 28 is at his peak, Nelson should move ahead of him at some point and could hold down that left back spot for years. There is also some serious talent in the FCD Academy Pipeline, notably U17 Jonathan Gomez who, at 15, is still a few years away.

After the Pedroso trade, FCD will have two open senior roster spots and one open international spot.

FC Dallas International Roster Spots

Update: Francis Atuahene got his green card.

1. Pablo Aranguiz

2. Santiago Mosquera

3. Reto Ziegler

4. Zdenek Ondrasek

5. Bressan

6. Bryan Acosta

7. Cristian Colman (after return from IR)

8. Open spot.

3rd Degree is an independent, North Texas soccer blog with a focus on FC Dallas. (3rd Degree / Buzz Carrick)

9. Extra spot in 2019 via Col trade for Kellyn Acosta (open after Pedroso trade)