If you thought the news that FC Dallas would trade Jesus Ferreira to conference rivals Seattle Sounders was odd in any form. Buckle up, the news is only going to get weirder from here.

Tom Bogert reported late Wednesday night ahead of the MLS Expansion Draft for San Diego FC that the Sounders are also in advanced talks in acquiring Paul Arriola from FC Dallas.

Sources: Seattle Sounders in advanced talks to acquire winger Paul Arriola from FC Dallas. Dallas would retain a portion of Arriola's cap hit. Arriola, 29, has had a productive three years with FC Dallas. He has made 50 USMNT caps as well. www.givemesport.com/seattle-soun...

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2024-12-12T03:17:07.081Z

The 29-year-old had five goals and seven assists in 31 appearances (28 starts) for FC Dallas in 2024 after an injury-plagued 2023 season. His three years at the club saw him score 17 goals and 18 assists in regular-season play.

The difference at least with the move compared to the Ferreira one is that FC Dallas would be reportedly on the hook for a portion of Arriola’s salary in 2025. Sounder at Heart’s Jeremiah Oshan is reporting that Dallas would be on the hook for at least a million of Arriola’s salary to make it work.

Great scoop by @tombogert.bsky.social on the Paul arriola talks. I can add some more info: Dallas would be covering at least $1m of his salary and Sounders would need to sign him to an extension that brings his future cap hit down a ton. No word on what they’d be giving up.

— Jeremiah Oshan (@jeremiah.sounderatheart.com) 2024-12-12T06:02:39.098Z

Dallas originally acquired Arriola from D.C. United in 2022 for a league-record trade worth around $2 million GAM.

BDS Take

Okay, so this is certainly a lot to take in. Not only would FC Dallas be trading away two of their larger assets (in terms of salary) to a conference rival, but it would also mean it would open up a ton of space for the club to do a lot of overhauling of the roster this winter.

If both moves end up taking place here, Dallas would open up a Designated Player slot, or be able to move to the U22 roster designation that would allow them to sign up to four U22-type of players and add additional allocation money (up to $2 million in GAM).

I see both of these moves as a way to establish a new identity under new manager, Eric Quill.

If the club goes the U22 route with its roster, which part of me thinks these moves signal a potential change like that? Quill is known to work well with younger players, and the club wants to reestablish its identity of getting younger talent into the first team. That could do it.

If they don’t go that route, that is okay too as long as they have a viable DP replacement in line for Ferreira. Before the Arriola news broke, I had a feeling that they’d slide Arriola back into the DP slot, similar to the way they did in 2023. But, if they are essentially buying out his contract in this trade, they’re going to get some decent cap relief. Not a ton, but enough to go out and get a solid player or two.

Man, this is a lot to take in. We’ll have more on this story and the Ferreira one as they continue to develop.