Nkosi Tafari wants to push beyond battle for FC Dallas starter

FRISCO —Nkosi Tafari became a fan favorite for FC Dallas last season, as supporters latched on to his bold fashion choices, his knowing barbs at opposing teams on social media and his defensive ability.

So there were plenty of questions from fans at the start of the year when Tafari had to wait until late April to make his first MLS start. Soon, though, it was apparent he had a role to play for manager Nico Estévez, and the center back enters the last two matches of the season having played 1,285 minutes in 11 starts.

That's still less game action than he saw last season, but he's actually played in more matches — and has a chance to make his first playoff appearance with FCD already qualified for the postseason as it heads to face the Colorado Rapids this weekend.

"Nkosi is a guy who, analyzing the team last year, he was going in and out of the team. He has great potential, above all physically. He’s grown a lot this year with his passing range," Estévez told The Striker this week. "He’s able to make passes in different situations: with pressure, without pressure. He’s got the confidence."

Confidence is a word that often gets applied to Tafari. "He’s obviously a confident guy off the field, but you can tell on the field he’s had a great season," says fellow center back Matt Hedges. 

And that came through after a friendly against Tigres in which Tafari put in a solid performance against the Liga MX squad.

He made clear, however, that his goals don't stop with earning an everyday starting spot with FCD, coming in as a third center back or starting when Hedges or Jose Martinez are injured. Tafari wants to push beyond those boundaries.

"My goal is to be the best I can be," Tafari said. "I’m actually not really worried about Matt and Jose, I’m really worried about any center back in the league, to be better than all of them. Personally, yes, they are obstacles, but if I play well enough that the only other option can be Matt or Jose alongside me, that is the goal."

After a bit of a rocky start, the coaching staff has seen Tafari become a player they feel they can depend on and someone who is showing the desire to put himself among the league's top players at his position.

"He’s really confident in his physicality, so sometimes he relaxes in the tactical elements, positioning, timing to do things, he’s more reactive than proactive, let's say. We’ve worked on that a lot," Estévez said. "Also his level of intensity in trainings wasn’t right to perform on the top level. We’ve worked on that with him, we told him and he’s responded really well."

Tafari will have to continue to respond well to instruction from the coaching staff to reach the goal of becoming the league's best center back, but Estévez said he likes hearing the ambition and lofty goals from the defender.

Far more important than individual rankings right now is where FCD is ranked, and the team is taking pride in its defensive record. FCD has conceded just 35 goals in league play a year after allowing 56. Clearly, the unit has taken a step forward, with Tafari's ability to come in without a drop-off a key factor.

"We’re the best defense in the West at the moment and second-best after Philly, who are I think another level this season. That shows how good the defense is. Even if someone is injured, another person can step in and produce a lot," goalkeeper Maarten Paes said. "We have good depth, and that shows how good our cooperation is. We still can do better, but you always think you can do better. For the first year, it’s a lot of positives."

And a lot of positives in the second MLS season for Tafari. He may not be the best defender in MLS yet, but plenty of FCD fans will be hoping to see him continue on that quest the rest of this season and in the years to come.