Petar Musa FC Dallas Forward #9 Performance Analysis and Season Impact

When you look at FC Dallas this season, you just can’t miss the impact of Petar Musa wearing that number 9 shirt. Petar Musa gives Dallas real firepower up front, quickly becoming a key guy since joining Major League Soccer.

He signed on as a designated player, and right away, Musa brought quality finishing and sharp movement to the attack.

You can see Musa’s consistency—he’s got 10 goal involvements in just 16 MLS games. That includes three goals in his last three league starts.

The Croatian forward stands out not just for his numbers but for his ability to change games. He pulls defenders, opening up space for his teammates.

If you want to know what makes this club competitive in attack, you really have to watch Musa’s performances this year.

Stat	Value
MLS Appearances (2025)	16
Goals (2025 MLS)	7
Assists (2025 MLS)	3
Last 3 Games Goals	3
Designated Player	Yes

Petar Musa’s Role at FC Dallas

Petar Musa joined FC Dallas to be a main attacking force and a team leader. His arrival changed the club’s front line and gave a new look to their play in the Western Conference.

Designated Player Status

Musa signed for FC Dallas as a Designated Player. The club invested heavily in his talent and potential.

Dallas made Musa one of their highest-paid players on a four-year contract, with an option for a fifth year if both sides want it. His move from Benfica set a new club record for a transfer fee.

With DP status, you expect Musa to deliver right away and help Dallas contend in the West. He fills an international slot, bringing his European experience to MLS.

There’s extra pressure with this tag, but also a special responsibility. Musa’s goals and work ethic have quickly justified the investment and fit the model Dallas wants for central attacking players.

Season	MLS Appearances	Goals	Assists	Shots on Target
2024	28	16	4	33

Position and Playing Style

Musa plays as a center forward, rocking FC Dallas’s number 9 shirt. You’ll see him leading the attack, always looking to get in front of goal for shots or headers.

His size and strength make him a handful, especially in tight spaces. He’s not about fancy dribbling—Musa likes quick movement and sharp finishing.

His instinct for scoring goals stands out, especially from his debut season and that first hat trick against Minnesota in June 2024. Musa works hard off the ball too, pressing backlines and staying involved in the build-up.

He fills the striker role Dallas needed for consistency up front.

Partnerships With Teammates

Musa links up well with key teammates—Jesús Ferreira, Paul Arriola, Alan Velasco, Bernard Kamungo, and Eugene Ansah. These partnerships are central to how Dallas creates chances and finishes plays.

Musa and Ferreira often switch up who leads the line and who drops back to connect play. Paul Arriola and Bernard Kamungo bring the speed and width, sending in crosses that Musa can finish with his head or feet.

Alan Velasco and Eugene Ansah provide service from different spots, forcing defenses to make tough choices. Working with this attacking group, Musa isn’t just a lone scorer—he’s part of a frontline that makes Dallas dangerous across the conference.

For fans, these connections have helped Dallas push for more goals and a stronger identity. You can check out more on Musa’s leadership and debut impact on the FC Dallas website.

FC Dallas Transfer and Contract Details

Petar Musa’s move to FC Dallas set new benchmarks for the club, both in transfer spending and navigating MLS roster rules. The details around his arrival include a record transfer fee, tricky negotiations over discovery rights, and a long, lucrative contract meant to anchor the attack for years.

Record Signing and Transfer Fee

Dallas broke new ground with this deal. The club paid a record transfer fee to sign Petar Musa from Benfica, beating any previous fee in their history.

Public reports put the transfer at about $9.5 to $10 million, with up to $3 million in add-ons. That makes Musa not just the highest-priced player in Dallas history, but also puts him near the top tier of MLS transfer deals.

Before this, Dallas’s biggest spend was $7 million for Alan Velasco. Musa’s fee tops that by a wide margin, showing the front office’s belief in his impact.

Sporting Director André Zanotta led the negotiations to land a player viewed as the focal point for Dallas’s attack.

Discovery Priority and General Allocation Money

MLS roster rules are unique, and discovery priority played a big role here. New England Revolution held the discovery rights to Petar Musa.

For Dallas to sign him, they had to negotiate with New England. The process involved the exchange of General Allocation Money, which teams use to acquire players or adjust salary cap situations.

Dallas reportedly paid New England Revolution $300,000 in GAM for the right to sign Musa from Benfica. Using GAM like this is pretty common, especially for high-value international talent.

This transaction was necessary before the contract could get finalized. The move let Dallas avoid unnecessary delays in registering Musa and kept their squad planning on track.

Contract Length and Terms

Dallas signed Musa through 2027, with a club option for 2028. So, you’re looking at at least four guaranteed years from the Croatian striker, giving Dallas some security up top.

Musa’s contract is a Designated Player deal, so his salary and bonuses only partly count against the cap.

Here’s a quick look at the key contract details:

Detail	Information
Contract Length	4 years (2024-2027)
Club Option	2028
Designated Player	Yes
Previous Club	Benfica
Transfer Fee	$9.5-10 million + up to $3 million in bonuses

With this multi-year commitment, the club lined up Musa’s contract with its bigger roster-building plans. His arrival signals Dallas wants to build around his abilities as the centerpiece of the attack.

Performance and Impact in Major League Soccer

Petar Musa has quickly become one of the most important players for FC Dallas. His scoring, leadership, and recognition have shaped both his career and the team’s results in the Western Conference.

Scoring Achievements

Musa joined FC Dallas ahead of the 2024 season on a record transfer from Benfica. Since then, his presence as a center forward has made a noticeable difference in FC Dallas’s attack.

You can see Musa’s goal-scoring ability in both consistency and standout moments. He broke into Major League Soccer by netting 8 goals in 7 games, setting a new mark for FC Dallas and establishing himself among the leading scorers early in his MLS tenure.

Here’s a look at some of Musa’s early MLS stats:

Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Minutes Played
2024	14	8	2	1,120
2025	14	3	0	992

Musa scores from open play and set pieces. His work inside the box, physical presence, and finishing touch have given Dallas a real boost at striker.

Impact on Team Results

FC Dallas needed a reliable scorer to go with attacking leaders like Jesús Ferreira and Paul Arriola. Since Musa’s arrival, Dallas has played with more directness and confidence up front.

Musa’s goals have helped turn tight matches into wins, boosting Dallas’s standing in a tough Western Conference. His play has directly influenced results against rivals, especially the Houston Dynamo, where his goals tipped the balance in derby matches.

Beyond scoring, Musa holds up play and releases teammates, giving players like Ferreira and Arriola more freedom to attack. His presence makes Dallas harder to defend and more dangerous on the break.

Recognition and Accolades

Musa’s performances didn’t go unnoticed. He earned MLS Player of the Matchday after a string of impressive showings during 2024.

Coaches, fans, and media have praised Musa for adapting quickly to Major League Soccer. His transition from European football to MLS looked smoother than most, especially for a striker.

His achievements so far show you’re watching a player with both individual skill and real value to Dallas’s resurgence in the West. Each week, Musa’s impact is felt with every touch and goal, earning recognition not just in Dallas but across the league.

Petar Musa’s International Career With Croatia

Petar Musa earned his spot on the Croatia national team after steady club performances. He’s since featured in competitive matches, showing the same drive and skill that Dallas fans see every week.

National Team Appearances

Petar Musa made his senior debut for Croatia in April 2023. Since then, he’s featured six times for his national side, representing his home country in UEFA competitions and friendlies.

He was born in Zagreb, a city known for producing top Croatian talents. Even with strong competition for the striker role, Musa’s club goal-scoring earned him call-ups.

Here’s a summary of his international appearances:

Season	Caps	Goals
2023	4	0
2024	2	0
Total	6	0

Musa is still looking for his first international goal. Still, his presence gives Croatia flexibility up top, especially during busy qualifying periods.

Check out more about his international record on the FC Dallas team page.

International Playing Style

For Croatia, Musa brings a physical and tactical edge that matches the national team’s identity. You can’t help but notice his strong positioning and the way he dominates in the air every time he steps onto the pitch.

He isn’t flashy with the ball at his feet, but his movement in the box stands out. Musa focuses on creating space for teammates and giving wingers a big target for crosses.

His size makes him dangerous on set pieces. When it comes to pressing, he works hard to hassle defenders high up the field.

Playing with seasoned forwards, Musa has learned to adjust his game. He links up play, holds the ball under pressure, and sparks attacks.

His knack for understanding tactics and carrying out the coach’s plan has earned him real trust with the national team. If you want more details, check his player profile at Transfermarkt.

Previous Clubs and European Experience

Petar Musa’s journey through Europe is all about steady growth. At every club, he’s made a difference and built a reputation for being reliable and finishing chances.

Benfica and Primeira Liga Success

Musa joined S.L. Benfica in 2022, stepping into one of Portugal’s storied clubs. He got up to speed fast, making a solid impact for the Lisbon giants in the Primeira Liga.

Scoring goals in a league known for technical skill, Musa never shied away from the battle for minutes. He found the net in league games and cup matches, showing real value as a squad player.

Sometimes he came off the bench, but he left his mark in key matches and deep cup runs. Musa also took on the UEFA Champions League, testing himself against Europe’s best.

Here’s a look at his Benfica record:

Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists	UEFA CL Appearances
2022-23	37	12	6	8

His time in Lisbon boosted his profile and opened doors for new opportunities.

Tenure at Boavista

Before Benfica, Musa played for Boavista in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. He got regular minutes here and showed what he could do as a starting striker.

He was a constant threat inside the penalty area, always ready to hold up play or score under pressure. At Boavista, Musa took on more responsibility up front and led the attack with real energy.

His consistency made him one of the club’s top scoring threats. Benfica noticed, and the rest is history.

Musa not only bagged important goals, but he sharpened his tactical awareness and link-up skills. This stretch was crucial for his development as a center-forward.

Bundesliga Spell With Union Berlin

Musa also spent time on loan in the Bundesliga with Union Berlin. Germany’s top league is no joke—it’s physical, fast, and unforgiving.

Every match brought a new challenge. Musa’s work rate stood out as he got used to the tactical demands.

He didn’t always start, but he provided much-needed depth and chipped in off the bench. Playing in Berlin gave him a fresh set of experiences and helped him adapt to a different style of play.

He left Germany with better movement and timing in the box. That stint proved he could handle different leagues and cultures.

Achievements With Slavia Prague

Musa’s big break came with Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic. He broke into the first team and quickly became a standout performer in the Fortuna Liga.

He scored key goals and helped Slavia fight for trophies. Musa played a big part during title runs and Czech Cup campaigns.

One highlight? He helped Slavia reach the UEFA Champions League group stage, facing some of Europe’s top teams.

With Slavia, Musa won trophies and gained confidence. His consistency and knack for scoring in big moments set up his moves across Europe.

Coaches, Management, and Future Outlook

Petar Musa’s arrival at FC Dallas feels like a new chapter for both him and the club. Coaching tactics, management vision, and long-term goals will shape his time in Texas.

Head Coach Nico Estévez’s Influence

Head coach Nico Estévez brings a sharp tactical mind and clear expectations. Under Estévez, the team values structure and adaptability—qualities that fit Musa well.

Estévez’s track record with young players and new signings is impressive. He talks openly with his guys, focusing on roles and pressing duties.

You can see this in FC Dallas’s strong defensive numbers and their smooth attacking play. It’s a system where a striker like Musa can really shine, getting service from the wings and being trusted to finish.

Estévez and his staff stress accountability and preparation, mixing analytics with real-game situations. His leadership has helped Dallas stay competitive in the Western Conference.

FC Dallas Under Estévez (since 2022)

Category	2022	2023	2024
Western Conf. Rank	3rd	6th	5th
Avg. Goals/Game	1.50	1.42	1.60
Goals Allowed/Game	1.09	1.24	1.10

André Zanotta’s Vision for FC Dallas

Sporting Director André Zanotta has steered FC Dallas’s roster with a focus on both homegrown talent and smart international signings. Zanotta played a huge part in bringing Musa in on a club-record transfer.

He wants a balanced team that competes now and builds for the future. You see it in the mix of academy products and experienced imports.

Zanotta works closely with the coaching staff to make sure new players fit the system and the culture. International experience is a big plus, and Zanotta wants Dallas to stay in the playoff mix while growing the fan base.

His vision goes beyond wins—he’s aiming to boost FC Dallas’s profile in MLS and abroad.

Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond

Petar Musa inked a four-year deal with FC Dallas, running through 2027. The club even threw in an option for 2028, just in case.

Honestly, this move screams stability. FC Dallas wants to lock down the striker spot, and investing in Musa right now shows they mean business.

Younger players in the academy? They’ll keep coming up, no doubt. Musa’s going to bring some real experience and probably a bit of swagger to training sessions.

Management has circled 2027 on the calendar. They’re talking deep playoff runs and pushing up the league table.

Expect the roster to keep evolving. The front office has to juggle the short game with the big picture, but you can see the plan—turn all this investment into real success, not just on the field but everywhere the club matters.