Our 2024 FC Dallas player recaps continue with veteran keeper Jimmy Maurer.
The 36-year old completed his eighth season with the club, the third in a row as a backup to keeper Maarten Paes.
Stat breakdown
Maurer only appeared in four matches in 2024, all coming toward the end of the season when Paes was either out on international duty or injured. He wrapped up the season with two shutouts, both on the road, four goals conceded (three of those coming in one match against San Jose), and 17 saves.
Highlight
I’ll actually go with one from each of his two shutouts. First up, in Portland:
Next, this is from his clean sheet in Vancouver. I was there for this one in person, and I still don’t understand how he made some of these saves.
Will he be back in 2025?
We know he was re-signed this past offseason on a cap-friendly supplemental roster deal that also put him on the inside track to a front office gig when he retires.
He is now out of contract with the team, and I would assume retirement is right around the corner for him this offseason. Unless something wild happens with Paes or the club passes on moving homegrown keeper Antonio Carrera into the backup role for next season, I don’t see a Maurer on the field next season with the club.
Final thoughts
Maurer is absolutely the type of leader you want in the locker room. Replacing his leadership and knowledge is going to be a tough thing for the club to sort out this offseason. Not to mention, he is one of the most beloved guys in the locker room. Losing that kind of dynamic, even on a backup goalkeeper, doesn’t get discussed a ton.
I do look forward to seeing what the club can do to keep him in the organization moving forward, either in a front office job or down the road as a goalkeeper coach in the academy or at North Texas SC.
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