Photo: Rob Simmons
Philadelphia Union have traded speedy winger Fafa Picault to FC Dallas, the club announced late Tuesday afternoon.
In exchange, the Union received $300,000 in general allocation money, with the potential to earn an additional $75,000 in GAM if Picault hits certain performance targets.
“Given our confidence with our roster at the position, this is the best move for club and a great opportunity for the player,” sporting director Ernst Tanner explained in a statement.
The Union signed Picault, 28, prior to the 2017 MLS season. Picault appeared in 89 games, starting 68, in his three seasons in Philadelphia. His 21 goals and 12 assists came primarily from the wing, including a ten-goal season in 2018.
However, Picault’s influence waned as a result of the club’s tactical shift to a 4-4-2 in 2019, producing just four goals, plus a key playoff goal to tie the match against New York Red Bulls.
Picault’s contract with the Union was set to expire at the end of 2019.
Picault becomes the fourth high-profile departure from the club this offseason. Haris Medunjanin was not offered a new contract, Marco Fabian had his option declined, and Auston Trusty was traded to Colorado for a similar haul of allocation money.
Ernst Tanner now has roster spots to fill — and a decent chunk of allocation money to work with.
Love Fafa. Wish him the best. But I am excited to see what Tanner is gonna do with some real money saved (Haris and Fabian gone) and all the funny money he’s got from the trades (Keegan [last year], Trusty, Fafa).
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In Tanner We Trust
He also may need GAM to buy extra international roster slots if his additions are more than two from overseas and Monteiro returns. Burke returning adds another such need.
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Burke back cancels Fabian’s slot opening, Medunjanin opens one slot. Hopefully, a Monteiro return would be a wash in international slots. So more than one newbie from overseas means needing at least one more.
don’t think burke will be back
Burke is still under contract with the club. He is already on the roster. Whether they transfer or loan him is another thing….
I thought Burke and Blake got green cards a while back?
I’m fine with it.
He seemed like a good dude but players with his skill set and stats seem to be the most easily replaced in the MLS.
Well I hope he has success there. And when we play them…he has a bad game. But have to agree that it will be interesting to see what Tanner does with the money!
You know he’s going to score on us (head ball) when he comes back!!
You’re bumming me out…cuz I can see that happening!
Loved Fafa’s speed, spirit, and never ending work ethic. Gonna miss watching him running guys down the field and turning corners on them, I declare no one else in the league does it as well.
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Unfortunately, it was always an agonizing tease. Fafa couldn’t find a way to finish a Lay’s potato chip if you spotted him a bite or two.
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In all sincerity though, best of luck in Dallas Speedy, you’re an entertaining player to watch and will be missed.
team is gonna miss him . exceptional speed , great work rate, tough small player ,played with heart especially when someone manhandled him temporarily or coming off the bench. came back with twice the effort. hopefully Sergio stays healthy for a longer period next year. I don’t think this was a good move for team morale or chemistry. good luck fafa.
This hurts as an attached fan, but it’s not a bad move. It’s $300k just for his rights. Genuinely wish him the best. One of my absolute favorites. But I want a winning product. Bring back Monty and all is well. In Tanner We Trust.
The Union made him a “bona fide offer”, which I believe gives them a right of first refusal to match any other contract he was offered (I think it’s kind of like restricted free agency in the NBA). So, you would assume he agreed on contract terms with Dallas and Dallas had to buy out our right to match that contract.
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The flip side of the bona fide offer is that the player could accept it and then you are bound by that contract. I have no idea what it takes to be a valid bona fide offer (i.e., why they might not have done it with Haris to extract something from Cincy)
Like most here, Liked Fafa a lot, but his lack of finishing skill was a real liability. Hope he finds a better scoring form in Dallas.
I loved Fafa’s speed and his tirelessness, but I can’t say I am opposed to this move.
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For the first time in Union history, I trust the man running the show.
Absolutely awesome moves by tanner this off season …very excited to what the new signings are
Also bummed to see him go. Best of luck to the kid. Dumb question but when do we start signing players? Seems easy to not sign and or trade for cash…. what are we doing with that money? We’re now talking about 1/3 of our starters gone from a team that had a good season last year. I hope tanner knows what he’s doing.