Forward Scott Sealy netted 26 goals in three breakout seasons with the Kansas City Wizards in his initial stint in the MLS.
Now, after spending two seasons in Israel and two others battling injuries, he’s looking for an opportunity to break back into the league with FC Dallas.
“There were other teams interested, but I think Dallas showed the most interest in bringing me in,” Sealy said. “I sat down with my agent and tried to analyze each situation, and it turned out that here would be a good fit.”
It’s no secret that the club is still searching for help at the forward position.
After suffering a late season goal scoring drought in 2011, the team acquired Panamanian forward Blas Perez this offseason to be the lead guy up top.
But manager Schellas Hyndman has made it clear that the team is still in need of a second proven goal scorer and well-rounded forward.
“He’s athletic. He strikes a very good ball. He’s courageous and holds the ball well. He works on defense,” Hyndman said. “When you put all of those things together, that’s what you hope for in a striker.”
The Trinidad-native has had little opportunity to prove himself since returning to MLS in 2010.
Injuries in consecutive seasons have limited the forward to only 26 games in two seasons, without a single goal to show.
“The past few seasons, I’ve missed the preseason,” said Sealy. “Last season I had hernia surgery the day before we started preseason, which was a major setback. Without building that foundation, it’s hard to get going.”
The 30-year-old committed himself to the gym after last season and has yet to show signs of slowing thus far in camp.
Hyndman has been impressed with the forward’s ball skills at time, but in other situations, is looking for more from the veteran.
“I think he’s really looked good in the small setting games where we have a little bit of structure and space,” Hyndman said. “In the bigger games, he seems to kind of wander a little bit. We need a striker that can be a frontal player for us and make his runs going forward instead of sideways or backwards. Yesterday he did much better at that.”
Sealy knows his fate is undecided heading into the teams first exhibition on Saturday.
But he is sure of one thing – he knows how to score goals.
“I always think that anything in and around the 18-yard box, I’m pretty good at finishing,” Sealy said. “Watching this team for the past couple of years, they have guys on the wings that can get down the line and deliver crosses and really put teams under pressure. I just need to be in the box. If I can get decent service, I am very capable of scoring.”
While FC Dallas doesn’t need or expect Sealy to be a savior in 2012, the club hopes he can regain his form from years past and be a reliable scorer when called into action.
“I think this is a new opportunity for him coming from San Jose,” said Hyndman. “I think this is an opportunity for him to get back on the radar.”