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FC Dallas

FC Dallas Re-Signs Richard Sanchez ; Releases Four

November 7, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012) - FC Dallas completed five transactions recently, extending the contract of Homegrown goalkeeper Richard Sanchez through the end of the 2015 season. The club also waived Bryan Leyva, Bruno Guarda, Ruben Luna and Matias Jara.

The released players will become available via waiver draft in December following MLS Cup, once the roster changes become official.

After signing with FC Dallas on Feb. 18, 2011, Sanchez went on to become the first American-born FIFA U-17 World Cup Champion. The sixth Homegrown player in FC Dallas history, Sanchez backstopped the Mexican Under-17 National Team to a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in front of a packed house at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on July 10, 2011. The 18-year-old served as FC Dallas' backup goalkeeper for six MLS matches in 2012. He also logged 360 minutes with the FC Dallas Reserves this season, conceding six goals and finishing with a 3-1-1 record. Sanchez was called in to represent the Mexican Under-20 National Team three times in 2012.

Leyva joined the professional ranks in 2009 as FC Dallas' first Homegrown signing. Since then, the young Texas native has played nine games, eight of those in 2012. He started and played 69 minutes in a 2011 friendly versus Tigres, recording one assist. His greatest contributions came in the MLS Reserve League in which Leyva scored seven goals and tallied one assist in two seasons.

Luna signed with FC Dallas as a Homegrown player on July 30, 2010. Since then, Luna has appeared in 22 games and scored two goals. He led the MLS Reserve League in goals with 10 during 2011 and led FC Dallas in goals scored during CONCACAF Champions League that same season.

The contracts of both Homegrown players expired following the 2012 season and FC Dallas elected not to renew either player. However, the team will continue to support the two Academy graduates as they pursue the next opportunities in their careers.

FC Dallas acquired Guarda in a trade with the Colorado Rapids on July 28, 2008. The Brazilian midfielder played for head coach Schellas Hyndman at SMU, where he was a two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist. In nearly five seasons with the club, Guarda appeared in 40 games, starting 19, scoring one goal and tallying three assists in MLS play. He appeared in 12 games making nine starts in 2008 and appeared in 11 games with five starts in 2011. This season, Guarda made four appearances and started one match.

Argentine striker Matias Jara signed with FC Dallas in August 2012. Jara joined the club from Argentine second division side Guillermo Brown. He did not appear in any matches with the FC Dallas first team.

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