Pearce heads to FC Dallas

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 14, 2009

[MLS] After a move to Turkey fell through, U.S. international Heath Pearce is returning home to play for MLS's FC Dallas, which acquired him via its No. 1 allocation ranking. Pearce will be added to the senior roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

To make room for Pearce on the 24-man roster, FC Dallas waived defender Steve Purdy. Forward/midfielder Alvaro Sanchez was also released.
 
"Heath is a high quality player who can play a lot of different positions, and we are very excited to welcome him to the club," FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We are really focusing on making our team stronger defensively, and Heath is a hard worker who can help us in that regard."
 
The 25-year-old Pearce has earned 28 caps since 2005. His seven appearances in World Cup qualifiers were the most of any U.S. player in 2008.
 
Pearce attended the U.S. under-17 residency program and the University of Portland before moving abroad.
 
he began his professional career in 2005 with FC Nordsjælland of the Danish Superliga. In 2007, Pearce signed with Hansa Rostock of the Bundesliga, where he appeared in 31 games.