SportSpyder - The Latest FC Dallas Podcasts

FC Dallas Fade in Carson, Settle for Scoreless Draw Against the Galaxy

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 05:56:51 GMT

Credit to the hard working FC Dallas media crew.

On a perfect evening for soccer in Southern California, FC Dallas held on for a scoreless draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy behind Jonathan Sirois’ nine saves.

Away points, of course, are precious things, and the defensive performance, especially as the home side looked more dangerous as the game dragged on, is at least something to build on.

Here is the cold hard truth - the Los Angeles Galaxy are not good.

Yes, their roster is in a bit of a state of turnover, like FC Dallas’ Toyota Stadium with sections cordoned off and other structures crushed into bits, all the while they try to put some decent product on the field. That product hasn’t really materialized, even if a few new faces have recently arrived and may bear some promise. But, you wouldn’t know any of this the way FC Dallas struggled in Carson.

And maybe I’m being harsh — maybe there isn’t that much that separates FC Dallas from Los Angeles Galaxy. Standing-wise, there is only 5 points that separate the two, despite rosters being in different stages of development. The Galaxy don’t have a legit striker yet, and their new Japanese international may not have much more to give. Meanwhile, FC Dallas have Petar Musa, who is just ready and waiting for a sliver of daylight to punish opponents.

Beyond Musa? FC Dallas once look again like a team of spare parts, all trying to get in rhythm after a long break. Despite second half subs expected to provide some offensive spark, Anderson Julio, Bernard Kamungo, and Santi Moreno mostly disappeared, struggling to keep the ball, and rarely picking out the right pass from the buffet of options before them. Things were better in the first half, but I always get a little frustrated when our killer striker is the one coming back deep to try to drop assists for his teammates. We’ve seen that playbook before, and it just doesn’t work.

Meanwhile, Sam Sarver, who may not be a true MLS week-in/week-out starter, stayed on the bench despite his ability to break down defenses and provide a spark of emotion, joy, anything.

I think it is fair to ask questions of FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill.

“I was proud of us defensively. I thought we transitioned as a group with honesty. They’re a dangerous team in transition, and I thought we did a good job managing those moments. We were knocking on the door and had some really good looks, but we just couldn’t find that final play inside the box. We had a lot of almost moments, and so did they,” Quill told media after the match. “It was a highly contested game. This isn’t an easy place to come and get points, so I’m proud of the point we earned. We have to keep building, though.”

Let’s start over. Look, an away point is always a solid thing, and FC Dallas face a stretch of challenging games, most of them on the road in the weeks ahead with Leagues Cup play starting. Maybe we’ll look back at this defensive performance and feel pretty good about it. Maybe the Galaxy will get hot all of a sudden. Maybe Dallas is trying to find a location for Anderson Julio to finish out his career.

Until then, it’s okay to be a bit disappointed right now… and grateful for a keeper like Jonathan Sirois who kept this team in it.

North Texas SC Return Home Empty-Handed, Losing 6-1 at Ventura County

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:28:02 GMT

Yes, that speck of light and hazy trail of smoke in the background is one of Elon Musk’s satellite launches, a regular sight out here in Southern California.

When I showed the picture to North Texas SC head coach John Gall, he was intrigued and then wondered, with a smile, if his squad had gotten distracted by the spectacle of a rocket launch instead of the actual work of winning a soccer match.

Interestingly, the image above captures a moment in the match that reveals a lot of North Texas SC’s woes at Ventura County, as they fell Friday evening 6-1. Slade Starnes is stepping off his back line to contend for a ball to a VCFC attacker. If he can make the challenge, win the ball, or just slow down the move, it’s a good play, but if the attacker wins the ball, suddenly, a 3v3 scenario opens up with Starnes out of position, phenom left winger Eric Preston ready to run into the space left by Starnes, and another attacker on the right stretching the defense. Preston would end up with two goals on the night, often just by getting behind Enzo Newman or arriving late at the back post. He wasn’t alone.

Over and over again, North Texas SC got out of position, allowed runners in behind, or just failed to win or control balls. By the 15th minute, in a shade to last weekend’s home draw, they were down by 2 goals. For every moment where it felt like they were getting their feet under them, Ventura County ruthlessly and emphatically put the game out of reach.

Heck, Nicholas Simmonds, who struggled a bit to influence the game and control the ball despite his size advantage, finally won the ball in the opponent’s box, controlled it, and slotted home a goal in the second half, his third of the season. It was a boost of confidence North Texas needed. Within 60 seconds, Ventura County answered, and you could see the body language, from coaching staff to players, slump.

I asked Gall about the defensive miscues on the night.

"It's been our Achilles' heel for most of the season. The errors we've made at times have held us back. I thought we had turned a corner, but tonight was the culmination of many issues that have affected this team throughout the season,” he told Afterburn. “Unfortunately, everything unraveled at the same time. The three first-half goals were unacceptable. We allowed players to get in behind us. Our back line wasn't together. We let the ball come inside instead of forcing it outside. Being down 3-0 at halftime makes for a difficult team talk, but we came out in the second half like we did against LAFC2, and we were much brighter. We could have given up after those goals, but we kept trying to get back into the game. Tonight was disappointing.”

The young squad will return home with lots of questions to answer and a narrowing window to get back into the playoff hunt.

In the big picture, we can acknowledge that the FC Dallas organization continue to go out and find talent to bring into this program. Lucas Martins made his debut on the night, a promising Brazilian midfielder. Da’vian Kimbrough’s family were in the stands to watch their talented attacker who only made a late cameo. With the number of balls bouncing off the goalposts, you could argue that the attack wasn’t the primary culprit. If one or two goals had gone in, maybe North Texas SC could keep their heads up high and push for more.

But in the short term, something is not working. Messages are not getting through to this group of players. Every step forward is met by a step back. Chalk it up to a very competitive league. Chalk it up youngsters who are learning how to be consistent. Heck, chalk it up to the absence of Josh Torquato or Jaedyn Contreras, both away at the CONCACAF U20 championships. Or chalk it up to a formation or tactical setup that hasn’t clicked.

On the bright side, North Texas SC will be at home in Mansfield for their next four matches. That might be the perfect motivation to turn this season around.

A few other notes:

Both Nicholas Simmonds and Ricky Louis started the year with impressive preseason showings, flirting with roles in the first team. Now, they look slightly out of their depth with North Texas SC. It may have just been a rough night. What is missing?
Add Alvaro Augusto to that question mark, as the promising defender had hinted at a larger role at times with the first team, but is now helping lead a defense that just gave up six goals. Not his night.
Lucas Martins, Gall and staff noted, is still learning how to speak English and adjust to a new culture. His role might grow as he gets more comfortable in Frisco.
Enzo Newman was a bright spot on the night, even if he did get beat on a couple of goals. He was confident on the ball and helped spearhead some promising attacks when his teammates were struggling to find space and advance the ball. Shout out to his family from nearby Temecula who came to cheer him on.

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Afterburn Soccer Show - July 27, 2026

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:18:11 GMT

Jose and I jumped on for a nice and tidy show after a not-so-great week for FC Dallas and North Texas SC.

Jose is quick to point out that just 1 point from two road matches was a little bit unlucky this time around, and he has a point. San Diego’s single goal was a shot that most often goes wide. Portland Timbers exploited a formation change and brain fart from Dallas’ defenders to level things.

And still, both teams had opportunities to get more.

Meanwhile, we covered a lot of ground with player news, including a loan from the USL-C squad Rhode Island. What can we expect from the new midfielder?

We close out the show with a preview.

Thanks for listening. Your support makes so much difference.

Afterburn Soccer Show - July 27, 2026

Nathan J. Hill — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:17:00 GMT

3rd Degree the Podcast #367

3rd_Degree — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:22:00 GMT

Holy cow, it's Chicharito. This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Buzz Carrick and Dennis McGowan - try to recover from the signing heard 'round the world: Javier Hernandez to Atletico Dallas. This is a massive, massive move.

FC Dallas had two signings of their own sandwiched around two road games. A solid performance in Portland went to waste, and then a really poor performance in San Diego leaves a tough 7 of 8 on the road. Seven of those games also come in a 24-day window. My word. Your hosts also fill you in on FCD's two new signings, Benji Flowers and Clay Holstad.

Dallas Trinity was back at it with a scrimmage against KC Current II. Dennis took the game in and spotted 5 more signings that haven't been announced. Your hosts have the scoop on who they are.

Lastly is North Texas SC. They have a load of injuries, leaving them depleted. Edu Nys was added to the All-Star Game Crossbar Challenge, so that's nice for him. They also have a signing, not that it matters.

Music by Pappy Check.

Afterburn Soccer Is Live at 7 PM CST

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:25:46 GMT

Welcome back friends after a tough week for FC Dallas and North Texas Soccer Club.

FC Dallas managed just a point on the past two road games — in a feisty 2-2 draw in Portland that felt like something was left on the table and then an overall disappointing match in San Diego that resulted in a loss.

The team will travel back out to the West Coast later this week and have a chance to rebound against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Other news though:

New keeper Daniel likely out for a few weeks. Sirois back in?
Petar Musa will compete in the MLS All-Star game this week
FC Dallas has loaned in a midfielder from USL-C, Clay Holstad, on loan. He’s a Quill guy and helps boost midfield depth

North Texas SC did not fair much better, coming back to Mansfield on a high and then coughing up two early goals. They did surge back, with Edouard Nys again showing his quality. He’ll also be participating in some MLS Next All-Star skill work, but for this team to return home and not turn their new stadium into a fortress was a disappointment.

Benji Flowers, fresh with his FC Dallas contract, started for North Texas.

Let’s get caught up together and break down all of this news for both teams at 7 PM CST.

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Road Points: FC Dallas Hold on for 2-2 Draw in Portland

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:15:10 GMT

Remember our mantra, Major League Soccer fans.

Road points are always good.

The big headline from FC Dallas’ road draw at the Portland Timbers, 2-2, was just how good the team looked despite some sloppy second half play from a back line that didn’t look quite so organized. Despite that and despite some feeling like three points were left there in the Pacific Northwest, you can still appreciate the effort and the point. It all adds up in the end.

In the first half, FC Dallas pinged the ball around like wizards. Kaick in particular had a strong game (even though he did fade a bit as the game wore on). Logan Farrington was unlucky not to get on at least one ball to punch through a breakthrough. Instead, Valiente found space in stoppage time of the first half and slid the ball over to Patrickson Delgado who took a step and slashed it home. Beautiful stuff.

But, really, FC Dallas should have had at least one other goal.

In the second half, Portland came out with extra fight and pinged the posts several times on near misses. They found a breakthrough of their own that started with some missed talks when Sam Sarver, who is no defensive wizard, couldn’t stay with the play. From my vantage point, the back line got disorganized. It happens.

But Petar Musa came on after a busy World Cup and snatched an errant pass to single-handedly put FC Dallas back on top. He is now the golden boot leader in Major League Soccer. FC Dallas, pay the man!

The lead would not hold, despite Dallas threatening a couple more times. Eric Quill’s second half subs attempted to boost some weary legs, but the second half formation never completely gelled when they didn’t have the ball. Bernard Kamungo struggled a bit to influence the game after a long injury — which is all true. Sam Sarver earned some hard fouls and wanted to blast past every Portland defender, even if that was a little bit wishful in the end.

Still, there is so much to like from this performance for the first actual action after a long layoff. Debutant Daniel in goal also found some nice saves, even if he could do little on the two given up. He will need some help.

With San Diego looming this weekend, Eric Quill is not going to apologize for fielding a team that is going to push hard for points. It’s worked. They have a lot of road games ahead, and there isn’t a ton of reason to go defense first in the matches. Roll the dice. Fight like hell. Go for the win.

Here are my questions:

What role is Bernard Kamungo going to have? Frankly, I much prefer Nolan Norris on the left. He isn’t going to burn defenders, but he is a good passer and just helps balance that side of the field.
When will Petar Musa start? Will he be ready to go on Saturday? I imagine he will.
Is Patrickson Delgado going to be a rollercoaster? Will he find consistency? His goal was beautiful and deserved, but then he disappears. Will we see Kamungo or Logan Farrington in a more advanced role in his place?

Most importantly, let’s just enjoy watching Petar Musa while we have him.

Afterburn Soccer Show - July 20, 2026

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:31:58 GMT

Despite a few slight technical issues, the Afterburn Soccer Show has reemerged after a World Cup break, ready to look ahead at some delicious FC Dallas soccer to enjoy this week. Two games, in fact!

But first, Jose, Collin, and Nathan broke down their thoughts on the World Cup. Was it a success? A memorable tournament? What did we like? What didn’t sit so well? While we agreed that Spain played masterful and annoying football, we also gave shade to Argentina for its behavior, especially in that last game. Lots of reckless fouls.

Will the tournament move to 64 teams? Will that be good?

Anyway, we spent a ton of time chatting before we got into North Texas Soccer Club’s continued moves to attract intriguing talent, in addition to the debut of the new stadium. There is so much positive with this squad right now, so many reasons why the games should be packed.

Including giving up one goal in the past three games. Do we see a surge up the standings in their future?

FC Dallas added a goalkeeper to boost their second half chances. Collin hints at rumors out of outbound players to free up some dead weight on the roster, but Jose reminds us that guys who were injured, like Kamungo and a refreshed Christian Cappis, might feel like new signings. Overall, we are positive that this team can keep the momentum going, starting with two away games this week - one at Portland and one at San Diego.

Thanks for listening and subscribing!

Afterburn Soccer Show - July 20, 2026

Nathan J. Hill — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:31:58 GMT

3rd Degree the Podcast #366

3rd_Degree — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:46:00 GMT

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Buzz Carrick and Dennis McGowan - go into "Thanks world, we'll take it from here" mode.

First, some Dallas Trinity takeover talk and a complete dive into the new roster pieces. The USL landscape is changing far more than just a new owner at The Trinity. Big things are afoot for the USL as well as the local Super League club and its new partner, 6 months from putting a team on the field, Atletico Dallas.

Then it's FC Dallas time. Only one big move so far: keeper Daniel. Is that it? Could there be more? FCD kicks off their insane 9-road-games-in-10 stretch that will decide the season with Portland Wednesday and San Diego Saturday. The lift ahead is massive, but Quill's team of warriors might have the guts for it. Too bad Ramiro is hurt.

Music by Pappy Check.

LIVE: Afterburn Soccer Show Is Back at 7 PM CST

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:23:16 GMT

Well, friends and subscribers, thank you for your patience during this vacation and World Cup break.

Afterburn Soccer Show is back.

You can watch live with us over on YouTube or use the handy link above as we catch up on a lot of fun stuff.

World Cup: Yes, it was a big event, and in the end, despite lots of uncertainty and concerns, the tournament had plenty of thrilling moments. And made lots of cash for ticket resellers! Was Spain the deserved winner? Did the USMNT deserve more? What are the highlights for us?

North Texas SC: After debuting their long-awaited Mansfield stadium, North Texas have come out with fresh energy and new faces and are beginning to try to work their way back into playoff contention, most recently with a gritty 1-0 win at the Quakes II. Which new signing is intriguing? What is the stadium experience like?

FC Dallas: Yes, they had a friendly in Mansfield, but FC Dallas returns to Major League Soccer action on Wednesday night against a solid Portland Timbers team. Will this be a Santi Moreno revenge match? How will Petar Musa pick up after his World Cup campaign? Will new signing Daniel get the start in goal?

We will hit these topics and more.

Go live with us, especially if you want to learn more about FC Dallas as you cling to your World Cup high.

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North Texas Soccer Finds Gritty Win Over Quakes 2

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 05:07:55 GMT

Enzo Newman earned the plaudits with a game winner tonight as North Texas defeated San Jose Earthquakes II on the road. Photo courtesy of the NTSC media team.

Yes, tomorrow is the World Cup final, but tonight was for North Texas Soccer Club as they found the win in a gritty, hard fought victory on the road in San Jose.

Enzo Newman popped up in the box - right place, right time - as the ball bounced around dangerously after a NTSC corner kick late in the second half. His shot wasn’t necessarily pretty. It wasn’t the kind of goal you will see on highlight reels to take your breath away. In fact, it’s kind of hard to see on the replay and crowd of bodies desperately trying to make something happen, but the goal was enough to get a massive three points in Northern California.

Enzo was appreciative and humble after the goal. The right wing back has been on a long injury recovery journey after suffering a season ending injury last year, but his steady minutes at North Texas and practice time with the first team suggest he is fully fit and ready to make a difference.

“Enzo is a leader, a big personality. He was injured with the first team last year. He’s spent a lot of time with us,” North Texas head coach John Gall said after the game. “You could see how much it meant to him — I think his second game winner of the season. He is the type of kid you can count on. He certainly stepped up tonight.”

A big statistic? San Jose Earthquakes II had 20 shots on the night, but North Texas SC managed to block 9 of them in a defensive performance that highlighted Eryk Dymora and a much more organized and spirited back line. When the offense didn’t click behind Nys and Louis, which is going to happen from time to time, you need the boys at the back to be resolute. They did that.

“Sometimes you need to win ugly,” Gall told Afterburn Soccer. “One of the things we talked about all week long was a clean sheet. We probably scored the ugliest goal we could score, but I felt we deserved a goal. I think we had almost ten blocked shots. Eryk came up with some really big saves. It’s not just about flowing, pretty football - of course, we want to try to do that… but young professionals need to learn how to win games. Really proud of the defensive performance.”

Gall noted after the match that, in the past three games, the team has only given up one goal, a late stunner from the Rapids 2, a result he felt was unfair. He marks it as a sign that the defensive unit is beginning to turn the corner after plenty of rocky moments in the first half of the season. In short, there is light ahead.

Another stat? Quakes II sit just three points above North Texas in the table, a gap that could narrow quickly in the coming weeks as the next five out of six games are at home in Mansfield.

It’s a crucial stretch of the season ahead. Win all five home games? North Texas could be sitting at 40 points and seriously in the mix of postseason action.

Enzo Newman expressed appreciation for the fan support, especially with the honor of opening a new stadium in front of a large crowd and a desire to repay the investment in him and in the club in the coming weeks.

In other words, while the World Cup may come to a close today, there is a feast of soccer ahead for North Texas Soccer Club and FC Dallas. Stay tuned!

Catching Up on All the FC Dallas News

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:32:02 GMT

Petar Musa was named an MLS All-Star. graphic image courtesy of FC Dallas and Major League Soccer.

Welcome back, FC Dallas regulars, and welcome to those who are curious about Major League Soccer, MLS Next Pro, and all the other wonderful leagues in this country that deserve our cash and support.

It’s a great time to be a soccer fan in this country with brand new stadiums opening every year, more and more access to professional matches all over the place, and talented players getting their chances.

FC Dallas is back in practice, and over the next couple of weeks, the team will get the second half of the season into gear. It’s going to be an exciting one. And as usual, there are rumors of all kinds to pay attention, as the team keeps trying to improve and capitalize on the anticipated World Cup bounce.

Here is what we are tracking:

Petar Musa Is an All-Star and Probably Here to Stay?

The big news this week is that Petar Musa will represent FC Dallas in the upcoming Major League Soccer All-Star game. The prolific striker is having another fantastic season, and he deserved to both get a chance to show his stuff at the World Cup and now get mixed in with the best of the best in North America. A worthy honor for the international!

Speaking of the World Cup, while Musa bagged himself a crucial goal for Croatia, his play and usage by the national team fell off pretty quickly. It had to be disappointing for the striker to not get more opportunities, especially when Croatia were pushing late for equalizers. Whether something happened in the locker room or he picked up a nagging injury, he did not feature in the final Croatian game.

Musa returns to FC Dallas in fine form, likely deserving a break before getting back into rhythm with the squad.

But the even bigger news is that the market has likely cooled for the striker. No doubt, there are teams out there keeping an eye on him, but it’s not likely his World Cup appearances raised his stock high enough to justify the price tag it will require to get him out of Frisco. Fans, while gutted for him not making a bigger impact with Croatia, can breathe a little sigh of relief. The Moose is likely going to be here longer.

Truth, I think this raises the expectations for the rest of the season. If Musa stays in fine form, FC Dallas will continue to stay in contention.

Of course, never say never. Who knows what happens in the coming transfer windows.

FC Dallas Stadium Is a Work-in-Progress

The other interesting news was some flurry of photos showing a temporary press box on the east side of Toyota Stadium being damaged during the continued construction and demolition of parts of the venue. Unfortunately, I can’t find the image, but it marks how the return to action in Frisco will continue to be a very much “work-in-progress” experience. Fans should pay attention to the changed seating charts and be as patient as possible. We won’t see the true Frisco experience for a while.

You can argue that the timing for these important upgrades could have been better planned, with a World Cup in town and all, but permitting, financing, and planning are what they are.

Meanwhile, FC Dallas will be playing at least one Leagues Cup game on August 5 down in Mansfield in the new Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. That should be a special experience to get a look at North Texas SC’s new venue and environment.

New Starting Goalkeeper On the Way?

Tom Bogert is reporting, that with San Jose signing Scottish international keeper Angus Gunn, Daniel is on his way to FC Dallas in a trade.

The move is an interesting one. FC Dallas came into the year pretty confident in Michael Collodi as the leader and starter between the posts, but after being benched due to some choppy play, Jonathan Sirois, acquired in a trade with CF Montreal, got a couple of starts. Daniel is a very solid goalkeeper and offers an immediate upgrade. Rumor is that he was on the outs with Bruce Arena recently, so he gets a fresh start.

Goalkeeper was not a position we thought the team was worried about, but this could be a very shrewd move. FC Dallas can claim excellent depth in the position, and the three will really push each other for that starting spot. I expect Daniel is going to win the position and help stabilize a defense that at times has given up too many mistakes in big moments.

This also likely means that Brooks Thompson, who the team loaned in from Lexington SC until June as a third option, will return to his team.

Is the Team Still in Play for Other Moves?

My other hope out of this World Cup was for Deedson to show well in the tournament and get an intriguing offer to depart the team, as his minutes have not materialized and his profile doesn’t quite fit where the team is headed. Maybe FC Dallas can find a trade suitor for a rebuilding team like Sporting Kansas City, open up that spot, and look to deepen their roster. It’s probably wishful thinking.

A left-footed player who can offer competition at wing back would be nice, though Bernard Kamungo should be getting healthy and back in the mix soon.

We plan to do another live show soon and break down these stories and more as Major League Soccer play begins to kick off in just a couple of weeks.

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Another Disappointment for the USA

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:34:04 GMT

We really needed Captain America, dude.

I’ve listened now, at this late hour, to multiple takes from US Soccer fans and tactical gurus to celebrities and journalists on what went wrong for the USMNT, as they fell quite confidently to Belgium, 4-1.

The one through line? We weren’t good enough.

Of course, from the opening whistle, this team WAS NOT good enough. Despite a few days of hype, with a matchup that seemed somewhat favorable, Belgium looked in control within five minutes. Their opening goal against the run of play was a profoundly simple disaster and deflated the energy of the stadium and most importantly the team. Despite Malik Tillman’s miracle free kick goal, our national squad appeared passive to the moment, giving up a score that answered squarely what the rest of the game would amount to - rolling over in front of a raucous record crowd and millions of fans.

How do you not take this moment and seize it? How do you not at least show that the US are not going to go down without a fight?

Instead, the entire match, despite a few subs that provided momentary boosts, felt like a whimper.

What do we learn from this disaster?

The loss is not shocking; the manner of the loss is!

Honestly, Belgium were the favorites even before the weird narratives around Balogun’s suspension plopped in their laps. Were they the “out and out” favorites? No. The US were expected to score a goal, maybe two, compared to similar odds for Belgium. If the hard fought match had ended 1-2 to the visitors, it would have met those expectations. If it had gone into extra time, we all would have been satisfied. This was supposedly an even bout.

In truth, Belgium were a class above. Way above.

The fact that the USA could hardly manage to control the ball, despite boasting a strong home field advantage, undermines so much of what we thought about this team. Was it maybe just one bad game? Sure. But at this stage of the tournament, at this moment? A huge disappointment.

The two later goals, including a shocking goalkeeper error, add to the embarrassment of the day. None of this should have happened.

Politics did not help.

I imagine the United States were prepping to start Ricardo Pepi all week long. Or maybe it was Haji Wright? Or some other tactical lineup?

We will never know.

Learning that Balogun would be reinstated, perhaps due to some arcane FIFA rules process or perhaps due to political pressure by an unpopular, sports-killing President or both, changed everything. It may have given Belgium that cohesive purpose they had missed earlier in the tournament. Now, they felt like the underdogs against a system that was aligning against them and against fair play. You can argue all you want whether that is justified or not, but the US players had to answer questions about it and throw out their game plans. It changed the narrative, too.

That was a huge distraction for this team, who, no doubt, had to go back to the drawing board. Maybe they felt like they could just roll out what worked before and expect to win. Sorely, sorely, sorely… mistaken. They looked unprepared. The narrative did not work in their favor.

Ultimately, there was no savior for the US.

Yes, Folarin Balugon got the start, but he hardly contributed (beyond earning a key foul). Ricardo Pepi got some minutes, but what difference did he make? No one on the United States Men’s National Team offered brilliance in this game, beyond Malik Tillman and maybe some late energy from Reyna and Berhalter.

In truth, this was a game where one coach simply out-classed another, and there was no answer. Pochettino, who had rumors swirling that he could be re-signed for another four year contract, put to bed his future with the US program. In the one game where you really need to put your team in its best possible position, he had no answers. This is the kind of game you are hired to prepare for. Sure, you lose some in the group stages — you lose some in the Gold Cup lead up. And maybe you even lose in this moment. But this is the game you are paid big bucks to at least make sure your squad is ready for.

The USA were not ready; Pochettino was not ready.

It is time to move on, be thankful for what was developed, and find the next name who can help this team prepare for the next four years, with fresh faces and opportunities ahead.

Is the sky falling?

No. This was a historic tournament for the US. The expanded field helped. Winning the group was an important step for this program. The future, though, is uncertain. However, there is talent and a continually expanding soccer structure in the United States that opens the door to growth. So many eyes and ears were exposed to the beautiful game and more will come.

Even from four years ago, the competitiveness and quality in Major League Soccer, USL Championship, and MLS Next Pro is vastly improved.

The best thing you can do as a potential soccer fan is to support lower tier soccer. Support these young people who love the game and want to shine on the biggest stage. You never know who you might see take that next step to stardom.

We can still enjoy the rest of this tournament. There are amazing games to be played and world class stars who will show us what we only hope will one day to see on a regular basis for the US. Tonight hurts, but the future is still bright.

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Historic: North Texas SC Opens Mansfield Era With a Dominant Win

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 04:16:45 GMT

Credit to the great FC Dallas/North Texas SC social media team.

Can you imagine a better start to the Mansfield era for North Texas Soccer Club?

In a gleaming new stadium and in front of a spirited, joyful crowd, North Texas SC burst back into the playoff mix with a 3-0 dominant, celebratory win at home.

From kickoff, you could tell there was extra energy and enthusiasm in the home side, as they looked to both turn the page on an up-and-down first half of the season and start writing fresh storylines for what this season can mean for the young squad.

The win was marked by a massive clean sheet from goalkeeper Eryk Dymora, who marshaled his back line expertly. Slade Starnes and Alvaro Augusto did not put a foot wrong. Whatever burden and weight or miscommunications the defense had been dealing with in previous matchups was not evident on the night. Yes, North Texas hadn’t won in four recent bouts with St Louis City 2, but you could hardly tell as they lined up against by all accounts a superior opponent.

“Don’t worry, it wasn’t overshadowed by me,” Slade Starnes told media after the match. “I think our biggest change over the last four or five games has been defending as a unit. During the first half of the season, we struggled at times and gave up goals because of our own mistakes. That became a big point of emphasis from the coaching staff. When we shift, we shift together. When we step up, we step up together. The spacing between us has to stay consistent because those little details can decide games. I think we’ve done a much better job of that recently.”

The offense was even better. While it took some time for the goals to get started, the promise was there from the opening whistle. Edouard Nys and Natty James zipped around the field to find space and create combinations. The final third didn’t click until Ricky Louis replaced Nicholas Simmonds at half (and probably a pep talk from head coach John Gall).

From then on, North Texas SC ruthlessly exploited space and chaos. Caleb Swann, once again transforming the midfield with a captain-like performance, dribbled into a dangerous spot to create a chance and then stayed with the play to slot home his first goal of the season. He earned an assist for the opening goal too. Late subs brought on two high potential players in Da’Vian Kimbrough and Benjamin Flowers. Rather than see out the win, they pushed, and Kimbrough came away with his first assist of the season through a dummy by Flowers to add a nice exclamation point to the victory.

“We made a few adjustments at halftime, changed some things tactically, and they worked really well. I’m really proud of the players for the way they competed in front of our home supporters,” Gall told media after the match. “From the day we knew we were coming to Mansfield, we talked about building a community. I grew up in the U.K., where many clubs are deeply connected to their communities, and this reminds me of that. It feels like the start of something special.”

Big Picture?

Credit to Chris Winters for the shot.

The stadium is gorgeous. And like I wrote yesterday, tighter crowds closer to the action is going to feed into the energy that this young team needs. I don’t know if St Louis City felt rattled a bit by the moment, but there was a marked difference in the atmosphere even on the livestream.

There is so much potential to grow the entire experience going forward.

“The atmosphere tonight was outstanding,” head coach John Gall said after the match. “It was the first time many of these players had performed in front of a crowd like this, and seeing them interact with the fans was part of their development. It was a special night, and no one can ever take away the fact that we’re 1-0 at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. I’m proud of the players, proud of the club and proud of the work our staff puts in every day. We push these players hard because moments like this make it all worthwhile. Seeing the celebration in the locker room afterward reminded us exactly why we do it.”

Youth Shining

North Texas SC are well-stocked with talent. We’ve talked about Nys and James and Swann and Newman and others before. It was amazing to Kimbrough (on his debut) and Flowers make instant impact. Both are high ceiling youngsters who need to develop. Part of that development is putting them in a situation, even if they come off the bench, to take risks and grow. Look for more.

“Da’vian is a player with a very high ceiling. There’s been a lot of expectation and excitement around him since he arrived, but he’s a kid who has stayed grounded, and I know he’ll continue to do that. Tonight, he showed what he does best. He gave us some really good hold-up play, used his physicality well, got into good positions and picked up an assist. I’m really proud of him, and we’ll continue to help him develop and get the most out of his potential,” Gall told media about the youngsters. “The same goes for Benji Flowers. He came on late and might even claim a half assist for the dummy that led to Ricky’s goal. I’m really happy for all of our young players, especially those who have been moving between the first and second teams. That’s not an easy situation for young players, but they continue to handle it well. Overall, I’m pleased with the group and with the way the individuals took care of their business tonight.”

North Texas SC are still on the outside looking in for the final playoff spot in MLS Next Pro, but this result could be the beginning of a nice run to push them up the standings and gain ground with a couple of games in hand.

May this new era flourish!

Next Era Begins: North Texas Soccer Club Starts the Next Chapter in Mansfield

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:09:52 GMT

Something big is happening on Saturday.

No, I’m not talking Canada taking on Morocco or Paraguay taking on France in the darn World Cup.

North Texas Soccer Club will play their first match at their brand new stadium in Mansfield, Texas, a project years in the making.

What a day it will be.

North Texas SC is, of course, a premier development club, part of FC Dallas’ storied academy system. When you see Ricardo Pepi play for the US in the next match of the World Cup, know that North Texas was part of that development journey. And so were other players populating lower leagues and upper leagues and all kinds of leagues. This is not a mere development team for FC Dallas — it’s an environment that can produce stars.

I admit I am a soccer sicko. Lower tier squads in the United States of America are where the future lies — a first chance to see the next national team regular ply their trade and emerge. The more you watch MLS Next Pro or USL Championship, the more you see the competitive nature of soccer and how a slight bit of speed, determination, and smarts can separate a player from one level to another. Pepi showed it. Nolan Norris displayed it. Michael Collodi lived it.

If you love soccer, truly love it, you go to lower tier games.

The economics are great — it’s a bargain in this economy. The truth is that you get to watch youngsters from all walks of life live their dream. That’s so special.

Saturday is massive for North Texas Soccer Club and massive for MLS Next Pro beyond just player development. Mansfield marks a more focused opportunity for marketing and widening the academy system’s reach outside of Frisco. They have a chance to build a stronger brand identity going forward. Next Pro can also add to its growing list of stadium venues to showcase their rising stars, making the experience of this league unique.

North Texas SC has been using Choctaw Stadium, former home of the Texas Rangers, over the past few years. It’s a solid and historic stadium. I loved watching baseball there. North Texas even won a championship in Choctaw in 2024, so it will forever have a special place in the hearts of fans.

But it’s cavernous for a lower division soccer club. Even when there are a solid number of fans in attendance, it can feel empty. This is a challenge not just for NTSC but for many lower tier soccer squads. You want an environment that can, yes, bring in some cash but can also create the intensity and support for home field advantage. You want young players who can thrive under the lights and atmosphere of a raucous crowd. You want fans feeling like their presence and voices matter, close to the action.

With Texas Health Mansfield Stadium and its 7000 seating capacity, North Texas has the right fit to build an amazing soccer experience.

For the club, I also believe it gives them the opportunity to develop some real home field advantage, something that they often lacked at Choctaw. Visiting teams need to fear playing at Mansfield in front of raucous crowds. There needs to be some tradition to offer character to the fan experience. I’m excited to see it develop.

Of course, I have big questions about the future.

Will North Texas SC consider rebranding to embrace Mansfield?
What will this day mean for the rest of the season? Will North Texas SC shift gears and start a run deep into the playoffs?
Are recent rumored signings like Benji Flowers (who may eventually head to Chelsea) and loanee Da’vian Kimbrough just the beginning of attracting more talent to this squad and giving them a platform for success in a first class stadium experience? How easier will it be to entice promising talent like Edouard Nys to take their next professional steps in this organization?

I’m excited to see.

Even if you can’t make it this opening match, you can watch North Texas SC welcome St Louis City SC 2 at 7:45 PM CST over on YouTube. Just a heads up - it’s going to be a tough match for this young side against one of the better teams in MLS Next Pro. But maybe this is the moment the squad needs. Maybe this is the day to shift the narrative. Maybe the next era begins tomorrow.

They did it.

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:24:39 GMT

My dog, a miniature black poodle, has anxiety, and it’s been something we have been working on slowly. He goes nuts frequently, especially when another dog shows up on the TV screen or any of us get excited about anything. We have him medicated now to deal with the rampant anxiety. It makes family movie nights a little challenging, though.

All of this is not an aside - it was the riveting problem I faced as I watched Malik Tillman confidently slot home a stunning free kick to confirm the United States Men’s National Team ticket to the next round.

I screamed. I jumped. I danced.

And my dog, who I had been trying to keep calm most of the day, scrambled up in panic. Was it fear? Was it agony? Or, as I think back, was it joy alongside my own? Is my dog sick with World Cup Fever too?

Three hours later, as I write these words, I still feel ready to party.

It’s true - this United States Men’s National Team feels different. They aren’t perfect and will need to grow into the next match. However, this group of guys found a way, even after the set back of Balogun getting a harsh red card. (No chance it will be rescinded.) Down a man, facing a Bosnian team growing in confidence, the US held their own, and more importantly, took advantage of a precious free kick to stun their opponents and seal the win.

In years past, the red card would have been the first domino in a result we know all too well, disappointment and resignation to defeat.

But this squad found a way. They did it. They stayed together and fought through surmounting odds, scrapping and clawing to a defensive shutout and a crucial free kick that shifted the narrative.

I add to others who find this midfield particularly impressive, three world class midfielders in McKennie, Adams, and Tillman who complement each other well in their movement and sets of tools.

I honor a back line that was competent and disciplined.

The challenges away in the next matchup. Belgium is beatable, but that team has experience and found their way through despite struggling against Senegal. Ricardo Pepi doesn’t need fill Balogun’s shoes, but he needs to be dangerous and help create the chaos that others can fill. The next man must step up.

When the final whistle blew, I could hear the roar of neighbors in a nearby backyard in celebration as the Southern California sun set.

This unbridled emotion is what the World Cup is all about, turning strangers into sudden friends, morphing a crowd from silence into rapture. I’ve hit my preferred pub multiple times this week, ordering a Diet Coke and a half salad (yeah, trying to be a good boy), and each time, I find a motley crew gathered around TV screens, most of them still trying to understand why a certain goal was offside and another wasn’t. It’s so much fun.

After a heated conversation about who the real contenders in the tournament are and why some nations do better than others, I recommended Inverting the Pyramid to a lawyer standing next to me. He promptly looked it up on Amazon and added it to his wish list.

A couple came in as I was finishing the final minutes of the Belgium/Senegal match, grabbing a spot next to me. The wife was decked out in American colors from head to toe. They spoke with Indian accents, but it was clear, they felt at home. We had a brief, friendly chat, and when I started to leave, she seemed surprised.

“Aren’t you going to stay and watch the game?”

I felt a little pang of guilt - I’d love to stay, but I had an anxious dog to take for a long walk first.

An anxious dog who is as invested as I am apparently.

What a tournament.

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Why the World Cup Matters

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:15:48 GMT

I am back from some needed vacation time, and it was awesome to be in Tokyo and Seoul and watch South Korea and Mexico play in a fierce bout amidst thousands of fans.

Truth be told, I was on the fence about how plugged in I was going to be during this World Cup. Sure, I’d catch the US and a few other teams, especially charting Petar Musa’s progress on this big stage. Now, I am hooked. It’s hard to sit at my desk and get all of my important work — and I do have important work to do — with the tantalizing livestream (in Spanish) of whatever current matchup a finger tip away.

The World Cup is hugely important for the future of soccer in the US, despite a lot of deep-seated problems facing our nation. Many of my neighbors are afraid to go down to the grocery store. A core idea like birthright citizenship, so simple and so important to what this multi-racial democracy/economic national powerhouse has become, was nearly on the chopping block. If the decision had gone another way, it’s possible our USMNT star striker, who is only American because a plane got turned around, wouldn’t be American anymore.

And that decision won’t stop the hollowing out of so many vibrant neighborhoods, with good people just going to work and loving their families… and often producing a bunch of good soccer players, because people in power want this country to be less diverse and more… white.

Which sounds pretty boring to me.

I can’t help but notice that the better teams at the World Cup are looking more and more diverse, because producing good players isn’t a science. You don’t just grow them. They are shaped by their circumstances, by luck, and by having a growing society. You need people from all walks of life, with different ideas and ways of thinking and physical abilities.

And most importantly, you need strong domestic leagues.

On a larger scale though, the moments of drama and heroism that define the individual performances during a World Cup have the potential to inspire all kinds of young people to try out for a sport they may just dabble with. Yes, there are structural barriers that make soccer not so accessible at times. I live in the heart of Southern California’s pristine suburbia, where everything is expensive, including trying out for the highly competitive soccer clubs in the area.

Back in Maryland, I was a coach and helper with a community-based soccer club that had dues of like $70 for a season, where the purpose was just to get the kids on the field to enjoy the game. The fees covered the field rentals. Sure, we had some good players come through, lots of kids from French-speaking Africa, and after they dominated, they’d matriculate to a more competitive setup. For the majority of kids, it was just about getting them out there under the lights with a ball and a few goals and have fun. I wasn’t a great coach, but it was so much fun. Those kids were awesome.

When we moved to California, I was sort of excited to get my son to try out in something more competitive. We showed up for a couple of try-outs, including for some sort of Liverpool-connected outfit, and while he worked his butt off, he also didn’t impress the coach when he reached up and caught a ball rocketing toward him with his hands. He is now a starting offensive lineman for his high school football team, a sport that he really loves and better suits his skills and instincts.

Developing the next generation of superstars, however, is not what a good soccer culture is even about. It’s about community. It’s about a game that is fun and can be played with just a ball, some cones, and a field. It’s about fans who live and die with bated breath on every pass, every shot, every gritty tackle.

More than players, fans are made during these World Cups. I became an FC Dallas fan, because Landon Donovan stunned everyone with that late goal against Algeria in 2010. I was living in Dallas at that time, watching a sketchy, blurry feed in hopes that the United States Men’s National Team would do something special. I think I closed my browser window in frustration in extra time, resigned to defeat. And then was stunned when I saw the final score.

I made a commitment to support Major League Soccer that day and the growth of a sport I loved even when I didn’t get to play it beyond my youth years in Oklahoma. Initially, I chose to watch the Los Angeles Galaxy because of Landon Donovan’s heroics, but when I found a broadcast game of the Galaxy against FC Dallas, this player named David Ferreira enchanted me. Heck, the way Schellas Hyndman had his motley squad playing, including a handful of young and promising talents, was far more entertaining than whatever the Galaxy were trying to do.

That led to my first FC Dallas game tickets.

And then a first ever playoff match.

And then writing way too many comments on Big D Soccer’s website as I tried to understand the game, the league, and the intricacies of salary caps and roster rules.

And then contributing a few articles, since I love to write words about stuff I was only beginning to grasp… and now to even working my fledgling side gig as a sports journalist.

These days, I’m especially loving MLS Next Pro and USL Championship for the young talent who are given a chance to keep playing and dreaming of something greater.

It’s been fun… certainly not about the money… but a gift to see the growth of MLS, the rising stars like Ricardo Pepi, and the potential for special moments to manifest in a singular kick.

Today, the US will face off against Bosnia & Herzegovina, and while the US should win, I admit a lot of hesitation. A part of me is ready to be disappointed — the USMNT have disappointed me plenty in the past. But there is also the chance someone else will be inspired - someone returning to this sport, experiencing it for the first time, or watching with wide eyes and imagining themselves suiting up in the Stars & Stripes. There is a chance for coach volunteers and former players and others to be inspired to give back to their communities and help young people experience a game that is simple in ways and profoundly complicated. There is a chance for the next superstar to start their journey or for one of our local clubs to get a season ticket holder.

So, yeah, the World Cup matters — for a nation that wants to win it all someday, for future talent, for FC Dallas and Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League and MLS Next Pro and high school sports and youth leagues, for journalists and writers, and even for an image of how society could be better and more diverse and more joyful. We need that, more than ever.

3rd Degree the Podcast #365

3rd_Degree — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:03:45 GMT

It's an emergency episode of 3rd Degree the Podcast! Your hosts - Buzz Carrick and Dan Crooke take a break from watching the World Cup to discuss the news that Atlético Dallas has purchased the Dallas Trinity FC USL Super League franchise. Buzz and Dan give you the facts. Then, is this a good move or not? And finally, it's time for some speculation and prognostication. It's an all-Dallas Trinity and Atlético Dallas podcast.

Music by Pappy Check.

Watch Party in Seoul: South Korea vs Mexico

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:59:10 GMT

Here’s a short video with a glimpse of the energetic and massive crowds gathered near the statue of King Sejong in Seoul to watch South Korea take on Mexico.

Unfortunately, my little wireless microphone didn’t work as great as I wanted, but the noise from the speakers, live band, and crowd was pretty intense. Talk about a multi-generational experience. Because of the crowds and the excellent crowd control by Seoul police, I was not able to wander around and interview fans like I had hoped. Quite a number of Mexican fans and a smattering of jerseys from around the world.

But, yes, the home crowd lit up with every attacking moment from South Korea.

Obviously, in these tight World Cup games, one mistake is all that your opponent needs for a breakthrough, and Korea’s single goalkeeping error gave Mexico the lone goal. The margins are super thin at this level, but both teams played pretty conservatively. Curious to see if Son Heung-Min can actually get healthy and turn a corner on his play as the tournament progresses.

Enjoy!

Watch Party in Seoul: South Korea vs Mexico

Nathan J. Hill — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:59:10 GMT

World Cup Scenes from Tokyo

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:42:14 GMT

The Japanese National Team have an anime mascot featured in pop-ups around major sites in the city.

My plane landed in Tokyo last Wednesday, and while I wasn’t sure how the national buzz would resonate around the Samurai Blue, aka the Japanese National Team, it didn’t take long before the enthusiasm would become extremely evident.

I could have bought a Japanese national team jersey before leaving the airport, in fact.

That’s really cool.

Before we even got on the plane to Tokyo, we noticed that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) certainly had a few meager displays up in the gift shops with soccer balls and general World Cup gear. Maybe there were one or two jerseys, but I don’t remember seeing many.

Vancouver International Airport had more buzz with some gear and advertisements around, including in the duty free section. My son grabbed a cold Coke, and inside the label, he came away with a sticker featuring a Colombian World Cup player. Nice.

But in our excursions around Tokyo, there were numerous pop-ups, one at almost every major subway station, featuring a variety of cool items including jersey collabs with brands like Thrasher. The slogans were confident and encouraging - “YOU GOT THIS!” This was national and cultural pride for a team that smart soccer nerds think can make some noise, something they already did with their opening 2-2 come-from-behind draw against Netherlands.

We turned a corner, noticing a crowd gathered for snapshots around an anime character chilling on a soccer ball, with a mural overhead.

More than a few folks, increasingly so with each day of our visit, were wearing their national team jerseys with pride.

I wondered what it might have been like to see a coordinated campaign like this across the States. Maybe there is, and I missed it? Imagine pop-ups in every major city, in every soccer hub. Anyway…

As we wondered through the Shibuya area, with its famous crossing nicknamed the Sibuya Scramble, a mall/garden complete with Taco Bell, Panda Express, skate shop, and more welcomed us with a ground floor Japanese National team shop. They had anime figurines as well as the normal assortment of scarves, banners, flags, keychains, and jerseys for purchase. But first, we hit a World Cup hype event where we enjoyed a photo booth as a family, played a little foosball, and earned stamps by visiting stalls by various sponsors. Those stamps led to swag - free stuff - like fans, stickers, and player cards.

Kind of like a church children festival but for soccer!

My two favorite things - a life-size pitch and wax figure of Japanese National Team head coach Hajime Moriyasu. I pretended to suggest they should score more goals as a winning strategy. And look to the FC Dallas academy for potential national team recruits.

Second best was this Japanese National Team beef curry that my son is going to really enjoy.

Courtesy of some Reddit post since I think my son already ate it.

Of course, this Japanese National Team does have some American roots. Their starting goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki, was born in New Jersey. Small world.

I came away with some fun stuff and a scarf to add to my meager collection and a bit more hype for this World Cup.

Will I be getting up at 4 AM to watch the US against Australia? Likely not. That is the downside of being out of the country in a different time zone, but look for a post about watching the South Korea - Mexico match in the heart of Seoul in a couple of days.

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Review: Sam Sarver now hangs out on my desk.

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:57:42 GMT

Last week, a small nondescript white package landed on my front step, and before I let my wife see what terrible expenditure I had made, I whisked it away to my home office and recording studio, unpacking with excitement.

What greeted me was Sam Sarver, albeit a “brick-style” action figure, complete with trademark hair line and cold Modelo in his hand.

The Sarver figure was actually larger than I anticipated. For sure, this was going to just be a cute and over-priced Lego-style figure, but instead, the dude is a bit larger than life. The texture, if you care about such things, is fine. See the photo below for reference.

The Sam Sarver figure is courtesy of 1996NYDesign, an Etsy shop featuring custom-printed soccer “block or brick” style figures that just ooze with fun and trips down memory lane. The designer, Bill Reese, has pleasantly been working a bit extra to keep up with demands on these fun novelty pieces of soccer nerds like us. You’ll find some other fun ones in the shop, including a New York Red Bull era Dax McCarty that I almost added to the cart.

You can even order your own custom figures if you want.

But Sarver? I had to have this one to highlight the remarkable journey of our team’s unlikely talisman, a SuperDraft pick turned MLS Next Pro Golden Boot winner turned FC Dallas late game magic maker. It’s only a shame that Sarver didn’t make the cut with the 2026 World Cup. If he did, I imagine these collectives would skyrocket in price.

In short, it’s a fun memento to cap what is quickly becoming a memorable year of soccer in the US.

I recommend giving 1996 NY Designs a follow on BlueSky to see what else they have printing down the line.

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Can you build an FC Dallas-only USMNT squad for the World Cup?

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:03:31 GMT

The US Men’s National Team just played to a decent 3-2 win over Senegal in their first warmup ahead of the biggest sporting event in the world. No surprises but our very own Ricardo Pepi was key to the opening two goals.

With the World Cup on our mind, I always like to have a little fun as an FC Dallas supporter. Imagine this pointless scenario: a future USMNT head coach irrationally believes that only FC Dallas developed players with American citizenship should be called up to the national team.

Could one build a roster for the 2026 World Cup? Yes.

Could such a roster win it all? Very, very unlikely.

Could the roster be competitive, like winning a few games or even escaping its group? Maybe, but it would need to be a favorable group.

My rules are pretty simple. To be chosen by this delusional head coach, the player needs to have an FC Dallas academy connection or have been a draft pick developed through the FC Dallas system. Guys like Paul Arriola would not make the list. In the future, you could imagine someone like Kaick qualifying, who joined FC Dallas as an 18 year old) if he were to gain citizenship in the US. But really, the key is development — I want guys who were formed in the Frisco way.

Below is my proposed 26 man squad.

Attackers (7): Ricardo Pepi, Alejandro Zendejas, Jesús Ferreira, Logan Farrington, Bernard Kamungo, Sam Sarver, Dante Sealy

Headlined by Pepi, Zendejas, and Ferreira, the top of that lineup would put this mythical FC Dallas-saturated squad in a better position than lots of national team programs. Ricardo is a true star and goalscorer. Alex is dynamic star for one of the best Mexican teams. Jesus has had a decent national team career, even if he hasn’t quite gotten back to the form that earned him a spot on the 2022 World Cup squad. I don’t mind this attacking trio to start most games and give the team at least a shot to bang in some fun goals.

It’s the depth that gives us pause. Yes, we love Logan Farrington for his work ethic. Sam Sarver would be a joy to watch on the international stage as a late game sub and hype machine (also Modelo sponsorship money). Bernard Kamungo is oft-injured but did have his moment in the national team not long ago. In this thin group, he’s fine.

Closing out with Dante Sealy, who did have a great 2025 campaign with Montreal and is now with Colorado, doesn’t inspire much enthusiasm. But we need bodies.

There are simply not enough attackers. I’d love one or two more proven guys, but FC Dallas hasn’t quite developed those marquee talents in this area of the pitch recently. I am sure I could dig around at a few other former North Texas guys, but that’s just wishful thinking. I like Nicholas Simmonds, for example, but it’s way too early for him at this stage of his development.

Midfielders (8): Weston McKennie, Tanner Tessmann, Edwin Cerrillo, Christian Cappis, Matthew Corcoran, Kellyn Acosta, Brandon Servania, Caleb Swann

Again, the top end of this talent pool isn’t bad at all. We love Weston, and I’ve been beating the drum for FC Dallas to spend a lot to bring the jack-of-all-trades back to Frisco. It will never happen. Tanner Tessmann continues to rise after another good year in France. They form a solid pairing in the middle of the park.

Edwin and Christian are both good MLS guys, who give you some flexibility in midfield. Add in Matthew Corcoran, still developing here in MLS with Nashville despite making his debut with North Texas a few years back.

Beyond that it’s a bit more of a gamble. I chose a veteran near the tail end of his career, Kellyn Acosta, who is contributing to a good Polish team and would be a veteran leader with international experience, and then Brandon Servania, who has carved out a solid MLS career and has a single cap to his name. Youngster Caleb Swann gets the nod just for the fun of it, but you could argue Diego Garcia would give this group more attacking flair. It’s a toss-up between the two.

But, yeah, the drop off after the first couple of names is significant.

Defenders (8): Chris Richards, Nolan Norris, Shaq Moore, Reggie Cannon, Nkosi Tafari, Bryan Reynolds, Nico Carrera, Josh Torquato

The situation here gets more complicated. I tried not to worry too much about position needs but ended up with four central defenders and four guys who can give you minutes at outside back.

Obviously, Chris Richards is one of the best defenders the academy has ever-produced and is a lock. I think Nolan Norris has the potential to ascend into that status too and love that he can play on the left side. He just got called up to the U21s again. Bryan Reynolds is a regular at Westerlo in Belgium, so he likely becomes a lock starter too. Shaq Moore and Reggie Cannon have international experience and would be fine veterans to mix in.

Nkosi Tafari, now starting regularly with LAFC, is a good rotation piece, and as we know, sometimes he can be stellar.

Nico Carrera (at Atlante in Liga MX) and Ryan Hollingshead (at LAFC) round out the depth. Hollingshead has, of course, dipped a bit in his play late in his career, but he gives you flexibility and leadership.

I did have the luxury of leaving a couple of guys off, like Walker Zimmerman (at Toronto now), Justin Che (one appearance for New York Red Bulls), and Josh Torquato, who would be a nice left-sided option but needs a bit more seasoning.

Goalkeepers (3): Michael Collodi, Julian Eyestone, Antonio Carrera

This would be the toughest category. If we were talking late 2025 Collodi, we could feel some confidence that we had at least one in-form keeper to throw in goal and give the team a shot. Collodi has had a rough season and may have lost his starting job. Who knew that would happen?

Julian Eyestone is the next best option, signed to a deal with Brentford but yet to make his English debut. Maybe he starts over Collodi at this point? He too just got called into the US U21s, so maybe this is a timely article.

Beyond that, the pickings are slim, unless you really want to go super young or take a swing on some former North Texas SC guy. Antonio Carrera is with Tigres, and he has US citizenship. I will go with him over Nico Montoya at North Texas. Nico just got the nod for the Colombia youth national team, by the way.

And there it is — an FC Dallas 26 man World Cup roster that needs work but could make Frisco natives proud.

Who did I miss?
Who would you swap out?
Which FC Dallas alum are you expecting to have a great tournament?

How the World Cup Can Change FC Dallas

Fri, 29 May 2026 16:27:10 GMT

FC Dallas media team are building the hype around a US Men’s National Team that features four legit starts and academy products.

Due to scheduling issues and work conferences, there will be no usual Afterburn Soccer Show this week. Look for a makeup soon to celebrate that nice road win for FC Dallas over the weekend, a super gritty performance that has feeling optimistic about the season.

Right now, the 2026 World Cup is on my mind, and I can’t help but think about the scenarios that could impact FC Dallas’ season ahead through this unpredictable global tournament.

There are two FC Dallas players who are due to earn some key minutes for their nations starting in June, and depending on their performances, their trajectory could shift our hopes and expectations for the Burn. Could this roster get stronger after the World Cup? Sure. Could we also be heading toward a departure or two? Maybe.

First Scenario: Petar Musa stays in strong form, and FC Dallas gets an offer they cannot refuse.

It’s been talked about to death, but there is a strong possibility Petar Musa has played his last game in an FC Dallas kit. The Croatian international is one of Major League Soccer’s top goal scorers and, really, FC Dallas’ best striker ever. He is prolific and has produced even when the total product around him isn’t as good as it could be. Musa is a fan favorite - he is marketable and a joy to watch.

In short, we don’t want his time with FC Dallas to end so soon.

But strong possibility does not mean it is a foregone conclusion. Musa may not get a ton of playing time for Croatia during the World Cup. He could feature off the bench. He could bang in some goals, and he could also have a quiet performance. So much depends on the game state in this tournament.

Of course, if he does bang in some goals and guides Croatia to a deep run, the flip side of a potential departure for Musa is that FC Dallas will get paid. World class strikers don’t grow on trees, and big teams will be lining up to bid for an in-prime goal scorer. That return on investment will be nice, even it will be tough to say goodbye to a guy who is in contention for the golden boot in Major League Soccer.

If Musa leaves, expect FC Dallas’ contender status to take a hit. How the heck do you replace that many goals, that lethal of a striker, a guy who has elevated this team? As much as we love Logan Farrington, is he ready to be the guy who can replace Petar Musa? Can the team go out and find someone who can provide the same offensive output in the summer transfer window? It will be tough.

It will be a win for Musa and for the bank account - but not necessarily for the expectations this season. A Musa departure doesn’t close the door on a playoff run, but it does lower the ceiling. I am not looking forward to this change, even if I want Petar Musa to get the payday he deserves.

Second Scenario: Deedson gets hot and also gets sold.

I wish I could go back in time and head off whatever forces brought Don Deedson Louicius to FC Dallas. The guy isn’t the worst ever FC Dallas signing. As a regular Haitian international and with solid clubs like OB, he has banged out a decent career for himself and definitely has some quality. The problem is just that he doesn’t fit. He’s not a wing back, and Dallas, through other unfortunate circumstances (aka the Lucho debacle), had to shift to a more practical formation that doesn’t rely on wingers.

He’s just an odd man out at the moment.

Since his summer signing, he’s featured in 274 minutes with just 3 starts and a single goal to his name.

That is not good enough for the cap hit, the international roster spot given up, and the rest of the roster needs.

The good news is that Deedson has a chance to shine at the World Cup, to go out and score a goal or two and guide his country to a decent showing. If he does so, maybe some other teams will be interested. Could he move somewhere else in Major League Soccer? Perhaps a Mexican club will be interested in the Haitian winger? Maybe FC Dallas could open this roster spot and have room to bring in another face who does fit the current project.

In short, I want him to do well, because I think the Deedson experience should come to a close. That roster spot could then create room to grab a breakout star whose stock is on the rise… or heck, bring Edouard Nys up to the senior team.

Third Scenario: FC Dallas’ brand continues to rise.

With guys like Ricardo Pepi, Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, and Alejandro Zendejas expected to play key roles, FC Dallas is going to get plenty of love from announcers and analysts. Their rise will only highlight that Dallas/Ft Worth has a talent pipeline to pay attention to.

And, who knows, maybe there is a chance Tanner Tessmann gets the call-up if someone is injured.

Add in the focus on games in Dallas — there will be international eyes and ears on Frisco throughout the tournament.

All of that will boost the FC Dallas brand as a destination and producer of talent. It’s a great moment for the club, and hopefully, it will boost attendance after the World Cup and lay the seed for the next golden talent to start making their way through the academy. It’s up to FC Dallas to make the most of this moment, and their social media work shows they are.

Shout out to the amazing media crew for being ready to highlight these stories. I highly recommend the work they are doing right now, with academy photos to highlight the long and winding path for guys like Weston, Ricardo, and Zendejas to rise to stardom. Let’s be ready for the next twist and turn on their journeys and the journey of this club.