As a follow up to our 25th season celebration series naming the top 5 players by position in FCD franchise history, I started a Top 5 FCD Players by Number series.
We are now on to the number 3. The magic number!
Around these parts, we think numbers are important, and I had the idea that – if the season didn’t restart – it might be fun to spin the Top 5s a bit and do a Top 5 Players by Number series. Of course, the season did restart so the idea went on the back burner… until now.
Disclaimer: The 25th Season Top 5 Player lists were voted on by a committee. These Top 5 Player by Number lists are just mine. So come at me, bro!
Top 5 FCD Number 3s
The number 3, the defender’s defender. In my mind a center back although the Brits seem to think it should be a left back… but then again they think 6 is a center back. So what do they know?
| Rank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ugo Ihemelu | Five seasons in Dallas before his career was cut short with concussions. A key piece in the all-time franchise-low 28-goals-allowed season of 2010 and the club’s only MLS Cup appearance. 66 regular season starts with 5 goals. |
| 2 | Reto Ziegler | Three seasons in Dallas in the 3 jersey for one of the best resumes the club has seen in a defender (2 World Cups). Including playoffs 82 games, 79 starts, and 11 goals for Dallas. Departs FCD 3rd on the all-time PK list with 8. |
| 3 | Greg Vanney | Only one season in the 3 jersey for FCD in his terrific MLS career, 2006. That year he was a ubiquitous starter for Colin Clarke’s wire-to-wire first-place team and an MLS All-Star. |
| 4 | Ryan Suarez | A firey right back or right center back depending on the system, Suarez was a starter from just about day one for the Burn. 4 goals and 5 assists in his three seasons in Dallas (16 yellow cards and 2 reds!) before being part of the panic 2003 “worst trade in club history” with the Galaxy. |
| 5 | Carey Talley | A solid contributer to Clarke’s rebuild in Dallas for two seasons in the 3 jersey. 43 regular seaosn games, 33 starts, 4 assists over the 2004 and 2005 seasons. |
What’s your list look like?
Shoutout to Ed Puskarich for being an old school, baller, bad-ass… and a good friend.
#3 – All-Time FCD Roster
| Reto Ziegler | 2018 to 2020 |
| Moises Hernandez | 2014 to 2015 |
| Ugo Ihemelu | mid 2009 to 2013 |
| Drew Moor | Early 2009 |
| Greg Vanney | 2006 |
| Carey Talley | 2004 to 2005 |
| Ezra Hendrickson | mid 2003 |
| Ryan Suarez | 2001 to mid 2003 |
| Steve Bernal | 2000 |
| Wade Webber | 1997 |
| Ed Puskarich | 1996 |
Up next?
The number 4. A very versatile number that in Dallas has quite a few left backs wearing it.
Interesting Moor didn’t crack your top 5. Gina will be mad. LOL. (or is it that he didn’t play in the #3 long enough to warrant a mention at this stage?)
Drew wore the number 3 in Dallas for half of a season in 2009 then was traded to Col. He wore the #14 from 2005 to 2008.