Maybe he just wanted a souvenir, or maybe he wanted a memento from his last MLS appearance.
When Kenny Cooper secured the game ball from FC Dallas’ 4-0 win against Los Angeles tonight after the match it sure looked like the actions of a player fully aware that this was his last match in MLS. (Okay, so he was securing the ball to commemorate Schellas Hyndman’s first win in MLS.)
Cooper delivered two goals and an assist to help FC Dallas trounce the Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-0, on Sunday. With multi-million dollar bids being made by Welsh club Cardiff City as well as Norwegian club Rosenborg, Cooper looks all but out the door this summer.
While it remains unclear whether Cooper has made a decision on which club he will move to, it seems like his exit from MLS is all but secure.
I must say that Cooper’s gesture of getting the game ball, then having his teammates sign it to give to Hyndman is pure class. I know Cooper had glowing words for Hyndman when he was hired (and for those of you who don’t remember, Cooper was set to play for Hyndman at SMU before embarking on his pro career by signing with Manchester United). I wonder how much harder it is for Cooper to leave now that a coach he clearly respects so much is in charge in Dallas.
What do you think about Cooper’s likely departure? Happy to see him make the move? Wish he could stick around MLS for the entire season? Think MLS should have held onto him as his goal-scoring exploits continued?
Share your thoughts below.