STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | July 9, 2026 — FC Dallas strengthened its goalkeeping corps ahead of the second half of the Major League Soccer season by acquiring veteran goalkeeper Daniel from the San Jose Earthquakes.
Dallas will send San Jose up to $1 million in General Allocation Money as part of the transaction. The package includes $300,000 in 2026 GAM, $400,000 in 2027 GAM and as much as $300,000 in additional conditional GAM tied to performance-based incentives.
Daniel will occupy a senior roster position with FC Dallas. The Brazilian-born goalkeeper holds a United States green card and will not count against the club’s international roster limit.
“We’re happy to welcome Daniel to FC Dallas,” FC Dallas Chief Soccer Officer André Zanotta said. “He has lots of experience in Major League Soccer, understands the demands of this league and adds important competition to our goalkeeping group. We’re looking forward to integrating him into the team as we prepare for the second half of the season.”
The move gives Dallas an experienced option at a critical position as the club prepares for the final stretch of its 2026 campaign. Daniel arrives after spending parts of four seasons with San Jose, where he established himself as a regular starter and one of the league’s more active shot-stoppers.
FC Dallas: Strengthening the Goalkeeping Position
From 2023 through 2026, Daniel made 77 regular-season appearances for the Earthquakes. He started 15 matches during the 2026 season and recorded five clean sheets, matching his career high.
His first MLS season offered an early indication of his ability to handle a heavy workload. In 2023, Daniel ranked second among league goalkeepers who played at least 1,800 minutes with an average of 3.88 saves per 90 minutes.
That level of production came while playing behind a San Jose side that often required its goalkeeper to remain involved throughout matches. Daniel’s quick reactions, experience organizing a back line and comfort dealing with high shot volume became important parts of his profile during his time in California.
For FC Dallas, the acquisition creates additional competition within the goalkeeper room while also adding a player familiar with the league’s travel demands, attacking styles and roster structure.
Daniel, whose full name is Daniel de Sousa Britto, brings extensive professional experience beyond MLS. Before joining San Jose, he spent several seasons with Sport Club Internacional in Brazil.
He made 83 appearances for Internacional between 2017 and 2022, recording 37 clean sheets while conceding 74 goals. His time with the Brazilian club provided experience in high-pressure domestic competitions and helped prepare him for a move to Major League Soccer.
Daniel began his development in the youth academy of União Rondonópolis before advancing through the Brazilian professional system. His career path has since taken him from Brazil’s top flight to a starting role in MLS and now to North Texas.
The 32-year-old was born May 6, 1994, in Barra do Garças, Brazil. He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 205 pounds. Daniel holds both Brazilian and United States nationality for roster purposes.
The financial structure of the trade reflects Dallas’ belief that Daniel can make an immediate impact while remaining an important option beyond the current season. The guaranteed portion of the deal totals $700,000 in GAM across 2026 and 2027, with the final $300,000 dependent on whether specified performance benchmarks are reached.
FC Dallas will now work to integrate Daniel into the squad as the club continues preparations for the second half of the schedule. His arrival adds another experienced presence to the defensive unit and gives the coaching staff increased flexibility as Dallas pursues its postseason objectives.
