FRISCO, Tex. -- When FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman was contemplating adding Colombian striker Milton Rodriguez earlier this year, he asked defender Jair Benitez and midfielder David Ferreira for their thoughts on the move.
Both Colombia natives, Benitez and Ferreira knew their countryman well, and offered solid feedback about the team’s potential new arrival.
“I did talk to Jair, who played with him. I talked to David too and asked them how he was as a player,” Hyndman said. “They said he’s a very good player. He has an unbelievable left foot. He’s great on free kicks, shots and finishing. He’s a good man and has got a family.”
Rodriguez arrived in Frisco on Tuesday, attended training on Wednesday and was slated to participate on Thursday.
“I am very excited and very happy to have another Colombian on the team. Hopefully the goals start coming,” Benitez said. “I hope everything works out. There’s unity here with three Colombians on the team.”
Said Ferriera: “He’s a very important player, a very experienced goal scorer. If he can come in here and cement himself as a goal scorer, it will be very good for the team.”
Both starters also talked about their time as Rodriguez’s teammate and how excited they are to play alongside him once again.
“We did play together with Deportivo Cali. He’s known for his heading and a very hard kick,” Benitez said. “Hopefully everything just comes together, he meshes with the group and the goals just start coming for FC Dallas.”
While Benitez spent several seasons as Rodriguez’s teammate at the club level, Ferreira and his new teammate played together on the international stage.
“We have played together on the Colombian national team. We have played against each other in club play,” Ferreira said. “He’s a very good, well-known player and that’s why Coach Schellas (Hyndman) brought him here because the goals have been lacking.”
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