In 2016, Fernando Clavijo and Oscar Pareja did one of the most underrated off-season moves in this franchise’s history by signing Mauro Rosales. Rosales was certainly at his peak MLS form during his Seattle days, and while he was on the decline by the time he arrived in Dallas, Pareja knew exactly what he wanted to get out of a player of his experience and decorated career: Close games out.
In soccer, a “closer” is technically not a real position but it has a purpose and a role on every team, provided its used correctly. Sometimes, it’s simply to carry out the final 15 minutes or so and protect a nefarious 1-0 lead.