Stars Loan Stewart to FC Dallas

The NSC Minnesota Stars announced a deal Tuesday to loan defender Jack Stewart to FC Dallas of Major League Soccer for an undisclosed fee. The loan, which is pending MLS approval, will last until the end of the MLS season, at which time FC Dallas will have the option to make the deal permanent.

The 28-year-old California native joined the Stars during this past offseason after a year out of the game. He made 15 appearances—all starts—for the league’s second-best defense, playing a role in five shutouts along the way. He also recorded an assist August 6 in a 3-1 win against the Montreal Impact.

FC Dallas will be Stewart’s third club in MLS. He began his professional career in 2004 with the Chicago Fire, for whom he made 16 appearances and scored two goals before being traded in 2006 to Real Salt Lake. He played 25 times for Salt Lake in a year-and-a-half with the club.

“That the Stars are loaning someone out to an upper division club speaks well for this team and this league and the quality of players in it,” Stewart said Monday. “This is a great opportunity for me as a player, and I’m excited to have another chance to play at the highest level in this country.”

Stewart’s departure will test Stars head coach Manny Lagos’ depth at defense, though the coach expressed confidence in his team’s ability to fill the hole Stewart leaves at center back. Brazilian Cristiano has played 10 times at center back this season, and Chris Clements, Brian Kallman and Kevin Friedland also provide options in the middle.

“I have a lot of respect for Jack, and I think he has a lot of respect for our club,” Lagos said. “It’s tough to lose a quality player like him, but this was one of those situations where a lot of factors came into play, including what was best for the team and what was best for the player. We’ll miss Jack and all wish him the best.”