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FC Dallas acquire Honduran international Thomas from Rapids

Hendry Thomas

By DAN KARELL

Hendry Thomas is joining up with Oscar Pareja in Dallas.

Following drawn-out yet unsuccessful contractual talks this offseason, the Colorado Rapids sent holding midfielder Hendry Thomas to FC Dallas in exchange for an undisclosed amount of allocation money. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“The allocation money that we’ve gotten in this deal will give us flexibility to continue adding strength and depth to our squad,” Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo said in a statement.

“We had negotiated with Hendry during the offseason but ultimately we decided to move in other directions, so we’re glad to get value in return at this point. He was an important part of our team over the last two years, and we want to thank him for his professionalism and contributions to our club.”

The Honduran international joined the Rapids midway through the 2012 MLS season and made 36 appearances in total over the year and a half with the club, scoring two goals and adding one assist. Thomas earned a reputation as a hard-nosed tackler, earning seven yellow cards and committing 62 fouls last season alone.

Thomas earlier on Wednesday announced on his official Twitter account that he was leaving the Rapids, though he wasn’t specific on his destination. The 28-year-old re-joins Pareja, who left the Rapids in January to become the head coach of FC Dallas.

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What do you think of this news? Like the signing for FC Dallas? Think Thomas can boost the team into the playoffs next season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Answering some questions above:
    -No the Rapids don’t have an official coach, but Pablo Mastroeni is running the show in the interim
    -Shane O’Neil will not be playing in the midfield. The Rapids just signed a midfielder from Spain as Thomas’s replacement. O’Neil seems to have come to terms based on just about everyone around him that his biggest value is as a centerback

    On another note, Thomas will be missed. He was one of the best few players for Colorado

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  2. Nice addition for Dallas. Experienced “hard-nosed” tacklers of Thomas’ quality are hard to find. I’m thinking if he was the captain for the Rapids that he must have the leadership skills too. I’m sort of surprised Rapids let him go as there aren’t many consistent defensive minded midfielders in league, much less with leadership qualities.

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    • Thomas wanted DP level money and Rapids would not provide it to him. I wonder what Dallas gave him. Would be a hard decision to make, but I think foregoing the big jump in salary and adding Jose Mari, the RFO made a good decision. They will still be lacking a bit (likely) in that position but they probably saved over $100k in cap space and added a MFer who is defensive minded but probably has better passing and distribution skills (just a guess at this point).

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  3. Have I missed Colorado announcing their head coach? Are they in camp? Who is running the workouts? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team drag it out this long before.

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    • Pablo Mastroeni is running the show for now (interim basis) but considering we haven’t heard too much about possible candidates I’m going to assume the rapids will end up hiring Mastroeni.

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  4. He’ll yeah, I was just gonna propose this after I heard Colorado couldn’t come to terms with him on a contract. Great addition this is awesome. Also, huge sign that relations haven’t broken down between the two teams and hopefully, if mutually beneficial, Pareja can swing trades in the future.

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