FC Dallas players are attracting attention

FRISCO — The sharks are swimming around the FC Dallas pool.

European clubs can officially buy players beginning Tuesday, and FC Dallas has several young prospects that have caught the eyes of overseas scouts.

FC Dallas boasts the youngest roster in MLS with youth and full national team players such as Kenny Cooper, Brek Shea, Dax McCarty, Anthony Wallace and Drew Moor.

"We call these high-class problems," FC Dallas general manager Michael Hitchcock said. "It’s a good thing that some of the top clubs in Europe more and more are looking at the good, young American players for what they are: great soccer players with a lot of potential. ... For us we have a full stable of very good, young American players and we expect more and more clubs from Europe to express interest in our guys."

Cooper began his pro career in England with Manchester United before returning home. Hitchcock said it’s his understanding that European scouts have been at the past couple home matches.

The consummate professional at 23, Cooper wouldn’t even discuss the possibility of a move.

Shea, 18, has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the youth national team ranks. In the past year he’s represented the Under-17, U-20, U-23 and finally capped it off with Sunday’s call to the full national team.

Shea didn’t play in the World Cup qualifier in Barbados but simply getting a call after having played in only two games for a total of 17 minutes as a rookie for FC Dallas is stunning.

"I would never say no to anything," Shea said. "My focus is here and now. I’ve heard there are talks, but I’m just trying to get into the 18, the starting 11 here, so I can get some playing time here. But I’d never turn down an option."

European clubs prefer to snag players at a young age in order to foster their growth through their own system.

Young Americans such as Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey have all been sold for multimillion dollar deals, which was unheard of as recently as five years ago.

Unlike other U.S. sports, there’s no age restriction in turning professional in soccer.

FC Dallas lost Chris Gbandi and Clarence Goodson this off-season to second-tier European leagues, which competitively aren’t better than MLS but don’t operate under the salary cap and could offer more money.

The men’s Olympic teams are made up of the under-23 national teams, meaning FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty could see himself showcased in August at the Beijing Games.

McCarty, like Shea, wasn’t shy in sharing his aspirations.

"That’s every players dream to play at the highest level, and I think I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in doing something over there," he said. "But like I said earlier, FC Dallas is my first priority, and I’m just taking it step by step and my next step is to make the Olympic team. Hopefully, I can make it in a few games over there to show what I can do and help our team win a medal."

FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo

8 tonight, Robertson Stadium, Houston

TV: ESPN2  Radio: KZMP/1540 AM (Spanish)

Records: FC Dallas 4-6-4, 16 points; Houston 4-4-6, 18 points

Notable: Tonight’s match will determine the winner of FC Dallas and Houston’s annual derby for El Capitan, a real working cannon. The teams tied both meetings earlier this season. ... FC Dallas begins a tight stretch of matches beginning tonight in Houston, where Dallas is 0-4-1 alltime in regular-season play. FC Dallas faces Chivas-Guadalajara in an exhibition at Pizza Hut Park on Sunday. Miami FC (USL-1) travels to Frisco on Tuesday for a U.S. Open Cup match and then FC Dallas caps the week with Kansas City at home July 4. ... Houston is without midfielder Richard Mulrooney (knee) and defender Eddie Robinson (ankle).