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In a signing expected to be perhaps the crowning touch on making FC Dallas an MLS Cup contender, the club Wednesday announced the acquisition of Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. Hislop, who will likely join in the team in a few weeks, is expected to compete for the Hoops' No. 1 goalkeeper spot currently held by Dario Sala.


"As we all know, championship teams are built on two primary things: character and depth," said FC Dallas president and general manager Michael Hitchcock. "Today with the addition of Shaka Hislop, a world-class goalkeeper, we are complementing a great team that we feel will compete for championships. By adding depth at a key position, this is going to get us closer to becoming that championship team for our fans."

Hislop, 37, is most recently known for his outstanding performance between the posts for Trinidad & Tobago in the World Cup. Taking hold of the opportunity when starter Kelvin Jack was injured, Hislop started the first two matches for the Soca Warriors -- who provided one of the big stories of the cup in their scoreless draw with Sweden in the opening round. T&T allowed just four goals, although they were eliminated after the group stage.

"We started out at the beginning of this season and talked a lot about quality players," said FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke. "Now we have the chance to add another great one to FC Dallas. The thing that Shaka brings to us is depth, experience and leadership. He's going to be out there fighting for a place with everybody else."

The 6-foot-4 Hislop also kept a clean sheet for the opening 83 minutes of Trinidad & Tobago's second match, which ended in a 2-0 loss to England. He was last with West Ham United of the English Premier League, helping lead them to last May's FA Cup Final against Liverpool. Hislop is clearly looking forward to his next challenge -- playing in MLS.

"I am very excited about joining FC Dallas at a time when they are leading the Western Conference," he said. "They are a very exciting club, a club with a fantastic roster that is surrounded by people with a tremendous soccer history. It's a new and exciting challenge and it comes at a great time in my career."

With Hislop's signing, the Hoops now have four 'keepers on their roster: Ray Burse, a third-round pick in the 2006 Super Draft who has played well for the FCD reserves, 11-year MLS veteran Jeff Cassar, who has been injured for most of the season and Sala, who has played all 16 games in goal and has two clean sheets while allowing only 1.35 goals per game.

Even with such an impressive soccer pedigree, Hislop knows he will have to work for playing time just like the rest of the FCD roster.

"I've never asked for guarantees or had to ask coaches or managers about their expectations of me," he said. "I am looking forward to competing for the starting job with Dario and Jeff, who are fantastic and accomplished goalkeepers in their own right. I'm sure that I can help bring the best out of them and they will certainly see the same from me."

His signing reunites him with Alan Knight, FCD's current goalkeeping coach and a longtime standout 'keeper in the EPL. Hislop worked with Knight for three seasons while with Portsmouth, the same team where Knight and Clarke were teammates.

"I'm looking forward to it (working with Knight again)," Hislop said. "I had three very successful years with Alan down at Portsmouth. Before we came together, I think in 10 previous seasons, Portsmouth finished above 13th once. Professionally, it was a very successful three years. Personally, I have a lot of respect for Alan."

Another major factor in his signing was the great leadership he will likely bring to the team.

"I come with a lot of experience and plan to share that," he said. "I think that (leadership) is one of my stronger points at this stage in my career. I'm a good leader and can direct on the pitch most importantly. These are the things that I'm sure Colin (Clarke) is looking for me to bring to the team. It's a strong roster and just needs a little push. I intend to bring that."

Clarke knows that adding Hislop to the roster instantly makes them a better team, which should pay dividends in the playoffs.

"When we knew he was available, we jumped at the chance to bring him here," Clarke said. "Last year in the playoffs, I thought our goalkeeping was lacking when we needed it most."

The FCD head coach also feels that Hislop's signing adds further depth to his already deep roster.

"We knew at the start of this season that we were going to need a very deep squad to get through this season and we're adding another quality player," Clarke said. "Our goalkeeper situation now becomes to me, one of the best in the league.

"I feel that with the 'keepers we have with this club that we have built a very strong club from the back to goalkeeper all the way through to a championship."