Eric Hassli has his wish granted after requesting a trade from Toronto 20 days ago. The striker is headed to Dallas in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
The designated player enjoyed a successful stint in Vancouver, scoring 12 goals in a year and a half with the club before being shipped to Toronto. Unfortunately, he didn’t enjoy the type of success in the second half on 2012 at TFC as he had with the Whitecaps, appearing just seven times and scoring three goals.
Toronto FC ultimately cited Hassli’s desire to be traded, confirming an SBI report from January which revealed Hassli’s trade request.
“Eric requested a move for family-related reasons and we committed to him we would make every effort to do so, providing the deal was favorable for the team,” Toronto FC president and general manager Kevin Payne said in a team-issued release. “We are satisfied with the terms of the trade. If Eric has a productive year for Dallas, the consideration paid to us will be greater.”
The trade, along with the acquisition of Kenny Cooper, has prompted Dallas to waive Brazilian striker Pipico, whom they had just signed in December.
“Eric Hassli is a very good player with an incredible resume,” FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman said in a statement. “He fits our needs. He is a big striker who holds the ball very well and is a great goal scorer. Hassli is also a player who can complement Blas Perez, allowing us to play in a two-striker system.”
What do you think of the deal?
Share your thoughts below.
I think TFC will have big problems if they are just going to rely on Koevermans. His current knee injury was caused by poor mobility of which lack of fitness and too much weight were major factors. He has never looked fit and therefore TFC’s tactics while he leads the line are very one dimensional. Hassli a better option in my opinion but he has gone. It will be interesting to see what happens re DP’s for Toronto – I would buy Koevermans out and also maybe Frings who at 36 and a poor (injury prone) season last year would provide a far better opportunity cost.
Alas poor Pipico we hardly knew ye…