Our 2024 FC Dallas player recaps continue with veteran defender Sebastien Ibeagha.
The veteran center back was one of three FC Dallas players that appeared in 30 or more games this season.
Stat breakdown
When you dive into Ibeagha’s numbers from this past year, he had two goals scored but he also had two penalty kicks conceded. His possession game is decent but his passing numbers may not be what you want out of a starter in 2024 (he had 84% passing accuracy).
For perspective, his numbers have taken a hit year-to-year. His clearances went from the 97 percentile in 2023, down to 71. His blocks went from 49th percentile down to 16th. And most importantly for me, his % of aerial duels won went way down from the 73rd percentile down to 12th.
Highlight
I said it last year, you could make a mixtape of his clearances or blocks to be his highlight but instead, we’re going to go with one of his two goals scored. I don’t get why we didn’t have more of this in 2024:
Can we expect him back in 2025?
We discussed in our recent GM game survey that Ibeagha should come back for another season but it may be best if FC Dallas does the decline and make an offer move.
I don’t love a starting center back in MLS that is north of 30 these days, and while he was easily one of the most steady players for FC Dallas this season, the defense was still pretty rough to watch most weeks.
At best, he should be a third option behind two TAM-level defenders. The last time he was in that role was in 2022, when he won a MLS Cup with LAFC.
Final thoughts
We know the club wants to redo the entire defense this winter. That may hurt Ibeagha in the long run since he’s got such a high salary. He could end up being north of $700k if he is retained for another season. That is a TAM-level type of salary and I think we can all agree that Ibeagha isn’t a TAM-level player in this league. He’s good but he’s not that good.
I still believe out of the defensive group, he wouldn’t be bad to keep for another year or two, but only if that salary number comes way down. You’re not going to get an Omar Gonzalez-type of deal (on the Supplemental roster…and you shouldn’t attempt that either) for Ibeagha but if you can some how get him back to say $350k or even $400k, do you do it? I think so. But that is only if you have at least one TAM-level defender coming in this winter.
Lots of ifs there.
The TL;DR of this, I like Ibeagha to stay but only at a cheaper deal.
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