FRISCO, Texas — On July 23, 2018, FC Dallas traded away homegrown Kellyn Acosta to the Colorado Rapids in a package that included forward Dominique Badji.
Coming in at around the halfway point of the 2018 season, Badji struggled to get fully acclimated to Dallas, only scoring two goals in nine league starts and not erasing the worries at the forward role.
To continue to add to his adaptation to his new team, head coach Luchi Gonzalez was hired, bringing in a new philosophy and new demands for Badji to get accustomed to. Gonzalez saw Badji’s skill-set and believed he could be versatile, helping to fill a need on the wing after a strong preseason. Badji’s experience at the wing was difficult, due to the difference in roles. Under Gonzalez’s system, players are not only expected to attack but to defend as well, dropping deep and pressing at times.
It was a unique shift for Badji, a player who is more used to playing as a No. 9.
“On the wing, what’s required of me is different,” Badji told Pro Soccer USA. “I’m looking to get assists — of course, I’m looking to get goals also— and get more touches in the middle of the field as opposed to, in the box or in the final third. But, as we’ve seen this season, I can score goals on the wing too.”
Now, with the addition of Ghanian winger Edwin Gyasi from CSKA Sofia, Badji is transitioning back to the forward role, where he’s shown he can produce. As a forward, Badji has had 20 goals and 11 assists in 68 MLS appearances. In the other 36 matches, he’s had nine goals and 11 assists in varying positions on the wing.
Badji’s comfort lies in the forward role, where he has played for much of his career.
“I’m comfortable there,” Badji said. “That’s the position I have played for the last four-to-five seasons, so that’s what naturally comes to me. I’ve been open to playing on the wing. I’ve slowly been getting better but wherever they need me I’m honestly ready to go, but naturally, I’m more comfortable at the nine.”
He is tired with Jesus Ferreira for the lead in goals on the team at six. Advanced stats show that Badji is getting in the right positions, being first on the team in expected goals per 96 minutes for players who’ve played more than a 100 minutes at .34, according to American Soccer Analysis. This is while not predominantly playing his preferred forward role. Knowing the team needs him for more, Badji was very blunt about his 2019 season.
“It’s disappointing,” Badji said. “This season has been disappointing for me so far. Not where I want to be in terms of scoring goals and creating chances but it’s crazy with the season I’ve had, I have six goals. It can turn around so quick. You score a couple of goals and I’m at double digits already. We still have a lot of games left and I’m looking forward to getting on the score sheet no matter if I’m on the wing or at the nine.”
When asked what needs to change for him, Badji took a long pause before analyzing his year.
“That’s a hard question,” Badji said. “A lot of factors. When I first started off on the wing, I think I started off really slow, trying to grasp concepts, because it was a different position. When I got back to the nine, game-to-game you saw glimpses of what I’m able to do but not on a consistent level. I think overall, it’s the consistency that I’m most disappointed about.”
In whatever role played, Badji’s impact will be needed for a team pushing for the playoffs. The team has struggled to create chances and score goals and the fanbase grows frustrated, wondering why players brought in at the nine cannot consistently produce.
Badji is hoping to change that view. Now with versatility added to his back pocket and a year in Dallas under his belt, he is starting to feel at home. For players, acclimating to life in a new city can be tough. When that part settles, the on-the-field performances begin to improve and with 11 matches to go, Gonzalez and the team hope Badji can find a purple patch.
“I’m all settled, I got my place,” Badji said. “Honestly, it’s hard. I was in Denver for four and a bit years. Of course, being here it’s different. Denver still feels like home to me but this is slowly feeling like home for me.
“Very slowly.”