It only took six minutes for Colombian forward Santiago Moreno to make his presence known in an FC Dallas jersey.
A late-game substitute, Moreno collected the ball in D.C. United’s box, delicately danced between three weary defenders and fired a shot towards goal. It was nearly the dream debut. His shot was blocked by a fourth defender, but the rebound fell kindly to his strike partner, Petar Musa, for an easy tap-in and Dallas’ fourth of the night. While it won’t go down as an official goal contribution, the sequence was a glimpse of what the club’s new No. 10 can bring: finesse, ball progression and composure in the box.
“He’s just different with his elusiveness in the game,” head coach Eric Quill observed. “He has really clean feet in tight spaces, the ability make the first guy miss, and that’s an amazing trait to have as a #10 because it unbalances the opponent. He’s got quality to find the right pass, the right shot for himself and he’s got a change of speed that’s of a high, high level.
“Each practice as he gets to know the style of play and his teammates more, his quality is becoming more and more obvious.”
It’s still very early days. Moreno joined the club in late March (on transfer deadline day) on loan from Brazilian side Fluminense with an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season. The 25-year-old occupies the club’s second Designated Player spot, although he could be bought down below the DP threshold should the club choose to add another in the midseason transfer window.
The move was an opportunistic one from FC Dallas’ perspective. Moreno had only played 18 minutes for Fluminense this year despite having joined in a high-profile transfer from the Portland Timbers last summer. Despite his lack of recent game time, Dallas’ top brass knew Moreno’s quality from his four-and-a-half seasons with the Timbers. Fifty-one goal contributions (20 goals, 31 assists) in 109 starts, a proven provider who needed a change of scenery with fresh opportunity.
“Santi really liked the idea of coming back to MLS with a club like FC Dallas,” explained André Zanotta, the club’s Chief Soccer Officer. “He felt that he could fit in and help us with our objectives this season. We also have an injury for (Anderson) Julio, so we were short in attacking options. We felt that Santi’s proven MLS experience, someone who is great in 1v1s, can score goals and add assists, it all combined to be the right thing to bring him in.”
Crucially, Moreno himself made it clear he wanted to be in Dallas: “Truthfully, I feel very happy, very grateful to God. I always put my life's plans in His hands. If He put me here with this team, it's because there are great things for me, and in the same way, I hope to work with the group and with the profe Quill. He has a very good idea of the game. I’ve had the chance to talk with him about how he includes me in the team, and I’m just waiting for my moment to contribute to the group.
“I connected with the coach since I arrived regarding how he includes me in the game and the tactical idea he has. I think I’m going to contribute well to the team. I’m preparing for that. The few times I’ve been able to train with the group, I’ve felt very good. They train a lot on the physical side, and that is vital in a team, so I’m just waiting to adapt to keep competing.”
With Portland, Moreno played the majority of his minutes from the right wing but also lined as a central playmaker on 18 occasions—likely the position he’ll compete for in FC Dallas’ winger-less system. He, along with fellow newcomer Joaquín Valiente, adds variety to an attack that has thus far been carried by the strike duo of Petar Musa and Logan Farrington. The pair have combined for 11 of Dallas’ 14 goals, the most of any duo in MLS and more than 18 of the league’s 30 teams.
“He’s a very different kind of 10 from our other profiles,” Quill said. “We now have three very different 10s in the team (Moreno, Valiente and Patrickson Delgado) and each practice he’s getting more accustomed with the style of play, and his teammates. We see him playing in that double 10 role mostly but we want to find a place for him. He’s a footballer, he could play any position on the field and be great at it.”
While he sparkled on his brief debut, there will be sterner tests ahead than D.C. United’s beleaguered backline. But armed with MLS experience and burning ambition, Moreno undoubtedly raises the ceiling of Dallas' attack.
“As a player, wherever you are, you have great aspirations; both personal, but especially collective. Becoming an MLS champion is a dream for any player. In any league, being a champion is the aspiration, and I don't aspire for less. We have a good group to compete with, to fight for the top spots in the table, to reach the playoffs with strength, and make a difference. I think with the coach's help we are going to achieve great things. Like I said, I'm very happy to be here.”
