Former FC Dallas Striker Knocks Boca Juniors Out of the Libertadores | OneFootball

Boca Juniors, one of South America’s most storied clubs, spent $10 million to bring Alan Velasco back from FC Dallas, believing he’d be a key piece in their season’s ambitions. But in a cruel twist of fate, it was Velasco himself who missed the decisive penalty against Alianza Lima, sealing Boca’s early exit from the Libertadores. Now, the Argentine club faces a year without international tournaments, no spotlight from CONMEBOL, and, to make matters worse, a big-money signing already raising eyebrows.

Boca chased Alan Velasco like a lovesick teenager. This wasn’t some impulsive deal, this transfer saga dragged on for ages in the South American market. Dallas stood firm, but Velasco wanted to go back home. Boca, desperate to strengthen the squad, cracked open the checkbook. After dropping $10 million for 85% of his rights, the forward landed in Buenos Aires as the second-most expensive signing in club history, carrying the heavy burden of leading Boca back to glory.

The young Argentine talent had left Independiente in 2022 to take a shot at MLS with FC Dallas. His numbers in the U.S. were solid, not jaw-dropping, but respectable enough to catch Boca’s attention. In the MLS, he racked up 72 games, 13 goals, and 7 assists. Not superstar stats, but good enough for Dallas to dig in its heels, if Boca wanted him back, they’d have to pay up. And they did.

Boca Junios v Alianza Lima - Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2025 | Marcelo Endelli/GettyImages

Velasco’s mission was simple: arrive at Boca and prove he was worth the investment. But when the team faced Alianza Lima at La Bombonera, needing a win to stay alive in the Libertadores, things took a disastrous turn. The match ended 2-1 in regulation, forcing penalties. When Velasco stepped up for his kick, not only did he miss, but he became the direct reason Boca crashed out of the tournament.

As Velasco scrambles to pick up the pieces of his reputation in Buenos Aires, FC Dallas is likely watching from afar with a smirk. After all, selling a player for $10 million and then seeing him sink in his first big moment at his new club? That’s not an everyday sight.

For MLS, this deal is a loud and clear signal of how the league is growing as a profitable exporter of talent. Not long ago, the idea of an Argentine club shelling out $10 million for an MLS player was laughable. Now, it’s happening. If Velasco had stayed in Dallas, maybe he’d be in a more stable environment to grow his game, no crazy pressure, no relentless scrutiny. But he wanted to return. And now, he’s in the eye of the storm.

Velasco is only 21; he’s got plenty of time to turn things around and prove he’s worth every penny. But let’s be real, his Boca journey is off to a nightmare start. And Boca fans? They’re not the patient type. They want results, match-winners, stars. After this brutal Libertadores exit, Velasco is looking less like a savior and more like a costly mistake.