[MLS] There have been significant changes to the FC Dallas roster since it lost to Colorado last November in the MLS Cup, but one of its attacking mainstays will be back. FCD announced Wednesday that attacker Marvin Chavez, who is playing in the Copa Centroamericana for his native Honduras, has extended his contract at undisclosed terms.

“We are extremely excited to re-sign Marvin Chavez,” Coach Schellas Hyndman said in a statement. “When FC Dallas was playing its best soccer of the year, Marvin was on the field for us. He is extremely athletic, very quick and fast. He is able to penetrate from the flanks with a dribble, a pass or on a penetrating run.”

The emergence of Chavez prompted FCD to expose Atiba Harris in the Expansion Draft a few days after MLS Cup. Both played on the right side of midfield last season; when Chavez established himself as a starter late in the season, Hyndman shifted Harris to the left side of midfield to replace a suspended Brek Shea. In the Expansion Draft, Vancouver claimed Harris with the fourth overall pick.

In his 16 regular-season appearances (10 starts), Chavez scored two goals and added two assists. His sharp dribbles and penetrating runs were a major factor in FCD’s run to MLS Cup, in which it lost to Colorado, 2-1, on an own goal in overtime. In the conference final against the Galaxy, Chavez set up David Ferreira for the first goal and later added a goal himself in a 3-0 victory.

“I am very pleased to renew my contract,” Chavez said. “I am happier still for the gratitude of the coaching staff, the board of executives and the fans. Since I have been back in Honduras, I’ve been hoping that things would turn out positive to be back with FC Dallas.

“The challenge is to keep the same level I had at the end of the season. More than anything the mindset for this season is to try and be champions because we were so close last year, but unfortunately we failed. Personally, my goal this year is to be a starting player on the team.”

Chavez has made two appearances for Honduras as a sub in the Copa Centroamericana, coming on during the second half against Costa Rica and Guatemala. Honduras clinched a spot in the 2011 Concacaf Gold Cup by beating Guatemala, 3-1, on Tuesday.