With the 2010 MLS Draft just days away it is becoming increasingly clear that FC Dallas will be one of the key controllers of the action at Saturday's draft.
FC Dallas currently holds the No. 5 and No. 6 picks in the draft, and with a roster that is already one of the youngest in MLS, Dallas is poised to be the target of teams interested in moving up in the draft.
The young roster doesn't mean FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman has to trade his picks, not in year with a strong and deep draft class.
"Half our team is below 23 and we've got six Generation adidas players and just graduated one in Anthony Wallace," Hyndman said. "We've got the 5 and 6 spots and looking out here (at the Combine) you can see there are some pretty good players so we may be able to pick up a Generation adidas player and the other would have to be a senior player."
"There are some pretty good seniors coming up too," Hyndman said. "This draft has a pretty athletic group and you can start to see the separation between the top players and by the time the combine is finished I'm sure all of us will have a few of what we're looking for."
According to multiple MLS sources, teams are targeting FC Dallas' No. 5 pick, with the interested suitors being determined by how the first four picks shake out. Hyndman said he has yet to be seriously approached about trading his picks, but is open to talking deal and expects calls to start coming as the draft draws closer.
"I think we'll be open to opportunities because we have the No. 5 and No. 6 and for the fact that we're not really needing any more younger players," Hyndman said. "But at the same time, it may work out with the younger players because I think they're playing above their age.
"I think teams needed to come here to see the talent before they start making the calls about opportunities to trade up."
Draft picks aren't the only trade commodities FC Dallas holds. acknowledged that the club has let it be known that it is open to trading veteran Dutch winger Dave Van Den Bergh, with the team's salary cap situation being a potential driver of a deal.
"Dave is still in our plans but we've also made the opportunity for anybody else who may be interested to approach us," Hyndman said. "Right now he is in our plans. I thought he had a really good year, eleven assists and three goals on a team that just missed the playoffs.
"He brings so much technical ability, and brings so much composure on the ball," Hyndman said. "There are obviously players who are quicker and faster but he's had to deal with that his whole career and has still found a way to be on the field."
One potential destination for Van Den Bergh is New York, with sources telling SBI that Van Den Bergh is keen on a return to the Red Bulls, a club he spent two successful seasons with. The teams have yet to discuss a Van Den Bergh trade but with head coach Hans Backe now in place, a move for Van Den Bergh is something the club will consider.