Ever since FC Dallas transferred Lucho Acosta to Brazil last summer, the club has had a notable void on its roster in the form of an open Designated Player slot. While Dallas managed to adjust without Acosta during the 2025 season and still push its way into the playoffs, the long-term need for a true attacking replacement has always been clear heading into 2026.
That search may be starting to take shape. New reports out of France on Friday link FC Dallas to French attacking midfielder Gauthier Hein, currently with FC Metz.
Le capitaine du FC Metz Gauthier Hein plaît aux clubs américains de Dallas et San José https://t.co/EJt3eit0Vh
— TEAM GRENAT (@TeamGrenat) January 8, 2026
The report also states that Dallas isn’t the only MLS club in pursuit of Hein. The San Jose Earthquakes are also looking to add him ahead of the 2026 season.
The 29-year old Hein has been with Metz for the majority of his professional career. Most recently, he played for Auxerre for three seasons before returning to Metz ahead of the 2024/25 season. During that season, he had 12 goals and six assists in a campaign that helped Metz get promoted back to Ligue 1. Since the start of the 2025/26 season, Hein has appeared in 15 games for Metz, scoring five goals and adding one assist.
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BDS Thoughts
While Hein has mostly been a right winger during his time with Metz, he does have the ability to be a central attacking midfielder. He returned to Metz on a $3 million transfer, and is currently under contract until the 2028 season.
In terms of his passing ability, he would be an instant upgrade for the Dallas attack.
On paper, this rumor feels a bit more like what we saw when Petar Musa came to Dallas ahead of the 2024 season. He’s not a household name, but one that could instantly improve the team once he adapts to life in America.
