FRISCO - Before the season started FC Dallas was looking for a ‘Number 9’: a forward to replace both Blas Perez and David Texeira, the strikers in 2015. Four weeks into the 2016 MLS Season, that role has been filled.
Argentinian Maxi Urruti came to Dallas from Portland where he was known more as a part-time player coming off the bench for the Timbers. Coming in with that resumé, there were doubts about the impact he would have as a full-time starter for FCD. However, with three goals scored in four matches as a starter, there is no doubt.
“He’s our ‘Number 9’, for sure,” head coach Oscar Pareja said. “Maxi came to the team and the first thing we told him was for him was ‘you’re going to score goals for us. That's your first responsibility. We’re going to work hard everyday with your teammates we’re going to put you in a good spot and give you some opportunities to put in the back of the net for us’. And he has not disappointed. I’m very happy for him, I’m very happy for his performance. Today, my ‘Number 9’ is Maxi. He has all my support. Maxi is playing, he’s scoring, and that’s what we want. I think he’s gelling perfectly with the other players off and on the field, he’s understanding and buying into what we want. And I can see a lot of good things coming for him and the team.”
Statistically, Maxi’s not just impacting the scoreboard (tied with 7 players for second in MLS with 3 goals - only Vancouver’s Pedro Morales has 4, all on penalty kicks), but on other measurables too. Urruti is also fourth in the league among forwards with 13 shots on goal.
However, his most impressive numbers are on the defensive side. The Argentinian striker has an MLS-leading 14 tackles attempted among forwards, with 12 of those being successful ball recoveries. He’s also tied with C.J. Sapong for the lead in interceptions with four. All numbers you would expect from a defensive midfielder, not your team’s striker. Even one known for his pressuring.
“Defensively he has been terrific,” Pareja said. “Maxi’s understanding it. It’s easy for him to understand that the collective efforts will bring results for himself. He has been working harder. Tactically, I think the last game for him is a good example of what we want. And guess what? The game rewarded him with a goal. And that’s what makes me happy. He’s gelling with the other group of players pretty well.”
Maxi himself takes pride in being known as a team player first. Putting effort on-and-off the ball has become a defining characteristic of his playing style.
“[Pressuring] is what I like to do,” he said. “I’ve had luck finding the net, but what I like is working hard for the team. I make an effort to keep moving and never standing still. I always try to be there for my teammates.”
One player Urruti has connected with the most in Dallas is fellow Argentinian Mauro Diaz, who is having a great start of the season himself.
“I always say it: Mauro is an impressive player,” Urruti said. “It’s on us to make the most from what he does. You have to make runs for him because he’s always looking for that through ball. He’s a great assister. We’ve grown close, and we’ve shared a lot of time together. That’s the Argentinian culture, getting together to eat and drink mate. I think we feel closer to home when we’re together on the pitch.”
The “Argentinian Connection” has not gone unnoticed to Pareja either.
“I am a true believer in those small connections,” he said. “Off-the-field translates to on-the-field. You can see those little connections on certain players. Whether it’s a couple or a trio, or foursome. They bring it to the unit. And in the case of Mauro, and Maxi, the Argentinians understand each other culturally pretty well, and on the field, that combination pops and helps the unit.”
Urruti has a clear understanding that the team's objectives, and his personal ones, go hand in hand.
“We have a great squad, and we’re doing things right and it’s showing on the field,” he said. “Every year I’m looking for a championship, and every year I’m trying to score all the goals I can to help the team and to compete with other league’s best goal-scorers too.”
For Pareja, he has a “next-game” mentality for his goalscorer too.
“For me the challenge is the next game,” he said. “If next game there’s a goal, we’re good.”
