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 7. These next five numbers (7-11) are going to be a bit harder to rank.
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 7s
7 is traditionally an attacking number for wide midfielders or winger – more on the right than the left – or sometimes an off-striker.
| Rank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Gruezo | The #2 holding mid in franchise history, although 7 is an odd number choice for such a player. If he would have stayed he would have become a club legend. 93 games, 93 starts, 3 goals, 7 assists, 181 fouls committed, 25 yellow cards, and a paltry single ejection. |
| 2 | Mark Santel | A stalwart of the early Burn teams under Dave Dir he too was part of the great Colorado Foxes teams. Santel played a little center back, sweeper, and even wing back, but he’s mostly known as a wide right midfielder. He could even play on the left when needed. An MLS All-Star in 1996 and 1997. |
| 3 | Blas Perez | Despite wearing the 7 to honor his Dad, Blas was a high-9 striker. He even wore 9 his first season and swapped to the 7. He also came in at #2 in our Villains list, the players most hated by the opposition. Led FCD in scoring for 3 years and finished with 97 games, 78 starts, 36 goals (3rd most in franchise history), 14 assists, and 5 red cards (tied FCD all-time lead with Leonel Alvarez). |
| 4 | Eddie Johnson | Johnson finished right behind Perez on our high striker ranking and got an Honorable Mention as an off-striker. Eddie went on to bigger things after leaving FCD, including the USMNT, but did lead the Burn in scoring in 2004 with 12 goals. |
| 5 | Abe Thompson | The underrated Abe Thompson was a solid squad contributor and off-the-bench threat in Dallas and makes this list ahead of the single-season excellence of Dave van den Bergh and short-timer Milton Rodriguez. Thompson’s FCD numbers including playoffs over a quality 4 seasons: 72 games, 34 starts, 15 goals, and 11 assists. |
What’s your list look like?
#7 – All-Time FCD Roster
| Jesus Ferreira | 2020 to Current |
| Edwin Gyasi | End 2019 |
| Carlos Gruezo | 2016 to Mid 2019 |
| Blas Perez | 2013 to 2015 |
| Fabian Castillo | 2012 |
| Daniel Cruz | End 2011 |
| Milton Rodriguez | 2010 to Mid 2011 |
| Dave van den Bergh | 2009 |
| Abe Thompson | 2006 to 2008 |
| Eddie Johnson | 2001 to 2005 |
| Mark Santel | 1996 to 2000 |
Up next?
The number 8.
I might need my Magic 8-Ball for this one.
I think you might be looking at just his 2016 numbers when you say Gruezo conceded 55 fouls in his FC Dallas career. Barely more than a foul a game would be an insane rate for as good a D-Mid as he was! I think it’s closer to ~180 fouls.
Good catch, thanks.