Dallas Texans Alumni:
Daniel Hernandez
Daniel Hernandez was born July 23, 1976, in Tyler Texas. Hernandez braved the 2-hour-plus commute into Dallas to play for the Texans, donning the Red Jersey for his team - the '76 Dallas Texans Red.
After graduating from the Texans at age 18, Hernandez moved on to play for Southern Methodist University. He starred at SMU from 1994 to 1997, where he was a First Team All-American as an attacking midfielder.
Upon graduating from SMU, Hernández was drafted in the second round of the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. He saw little playing time in the Galaxy, appearing mostly a substitute, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Hernández hardly played for the Mutiny either, appearing in only four games, and was traded the next year to the MetroStars.
With the MetroStars, Hernández finally came into his own, earning a starting position, first in central defense, and then becoming one of the league's most dangerous defensive midfielders. He stayed with the MetroStars from 2000 to 2002, but was a part of a blockbuster trade in the middle of 2002, which sent him to the New England Revolution. Despite being a starter for the Revolution, Hernández expressed displeasure with his situation, requesting a trade to his home state Dallas Burn. The Burn, however, were unwilling to make such a trade, and Hernández was transferred to Mexican club Necaxa mid-season 2003. In six seasons in MLS, he totalled four goals and 15 assists in league play.
To the surprise of many, Hernández - called Demetrio in Mexico - earned a starting position as a central defender on the club. According to Hernández, his profile in his hometown of Tyler has increased enormously since his arrival in the Primera División. However, in 2005, he came back to MLS, re-signing with New England. In 2007, he was waived by the Revolution.
After brief stints back in Mexico with Puebla and Jaguares de Chiapas in 2007 and 2008, Hernández signed with FC Dallas in September 2009. With Dallas, Hernandez has been a key player playing as the teams primary defensive midfielder. During the 2010 season Daniel appeared in 24 league matches and helped the club reach the 2010 MLS Cup. Hernandez was named to the MLS Team of Week 10 in the 2011 MLS season for his play against Real Salt Lake.
