The FC Dallas Thread

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by ielag, Feb 7, 2020.

  1. Arantes

    Arantes Member

    Fluminense
    Brazil
    Dec 4, 2018
    In order for Roberts to play on both sides of the ball, he will have to:

    1. Be willing to do it
    2. Use both feet
    3. Learn how to play defense
    4. Put on some weight and work on his fitness

    I just don't see him achieving 2 out those 4 anytime soon especially if he's gone with the U20s. The difference is Paxton can do 2 or 3 of those well [which makes him prone to injuries].
     
  2. TarHeels17

    TarHeels17 Member+

    Jan 10, 2017
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Maybe it's just me but I thought Sealy reminded me of a B-level Davies. He might be a winger in MLS, but if he really wants to be good he's likely a left back. A guy with his athleticism but without top end skill really doesn't belong on the wing, but can thrive as a left back.
     
  3. Runhard

    Runhard Member+

    Barcelona
    United States
    Jul 5, 2018
    FCD has signed so many kids to homegrowns and taken the shotgun approach to developing players. If they sign so many, one or two is bound to hit and hopefully get sold to Europe.

    The concern for FCD should be the established FCD "pathway" of Academy to NTXSC to HG to MLS first team is not a sought after path for some of their best players. They need to have flexibility to allow kids to jump the line if they are exceptional.

    For example, kids like Johan, Johnathan, Tanner, Nico, Beni et all that never signed ( at least yet) and instead decided on Europe. Do you give Tanner 200K and mess up your whole "plan" or do you just let him go to college or Europe instead? Do you offer Johnathan Gomez a first team deal instead of a NTXSC deal?

    Other more interesting area to watch is what happens to all the current HG who are getting minutes on first team. What happens if Ferrera, Pomykal, Cannon, Servania and Pepi never play at a higher level than MLS at FCD? Is that seen as a detriment to the best players in the Academy that want to be the next Virgil Van Dyck and not the next Matt Hedges?

    FCD needs to find a way to sell their best players to Europe to keep the dream of getting to soccer stardom alive for their best prospects. Hopefully Reggie makes the move, but haven't heard of any hard offers for him yet.
     
  4. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Odd that seeing it in person can be so different than highlights. Roberts had a few great moments but I thought Sealy was more consistent. I do think highlights narrow the focus so that the viewer can't see the choices the player has so they can't tell whether he made the right one. I thought Sealy made the right pass, dribble almost every time although he should have hustled slightly more on that breakaway to get the shot off slightly sooner.
     
  5. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think FCD is just getting over CYA mode from McKennie moving on. As you point out they really need to figure out how to be the pipeline they say they want to be. That does include selling players on for both making money on your investment and creating space for the next players to move into. Hopefully they keep learning which prospects are the ones to sign, sell and keep. Since their first wave of prospects didn't do much at all this is progress but not the finish line. Other teams will also go through these growing pains as the ramp up their efforts.
     
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  6. Runhard

    Runhard Member+

    Barcelona
    United States
    Jul 5, 2018
    Watching online it looked like Roberts had his usual skill and shiftiness but got outmuscled a few times. Dante looks the part in terms of pace and agility but he needs to finish that chance. Only saw the second and third period of the scrimmage and Cerillo looked good. Pepi is a very hard worker but didn't have a chance to impact the game much.

    The results will matter this year for these guys. Pepi needs to score goals ( at either NTXSC or MLS). He gets a little break bc he is still so young but he has to have some major flashes to keep progressing. Roberts needs a big year on the stat sheet wherever he plays. If he doesn't bring assist and goals, they can find someone else to shuffle the ball around. He is not so young any more at 19 so expect him to step up big.

    Would like to have some confidence Paxton will be healthy and in for a long campaign and getting noticed by Europe this year but no such confidence yet. The start of the season will be very telling for him. Would like to see him get 10 to 15 starts out of the gate and set a standard.
     
  7. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pepi hustles a lot so he helps even when the team doesn't get him the ball. Agree about Roberts and Pax. Roberts needs to start doing what Pax did last year at least a little bit.
     
  8. don Lamb

    don Lamb Member+

    mine
    United States
    Aug 31, 2017
    I would push back on that a little bit. Has there ever been a player who has gone from DA to MLS and made an immediate impact? Alphonso Davies might be the closest thing, but he would be the exception. Anyway, let's stick to FCD for now....

    Pomykal is probably their best homegrown signing to this point. How did his first two years on a pro contract go? He basically either sat or played DA games. He would have been better off (and probably happier) to play in USL1 during that time. Would Cannon have been better off going to playing 20 games in college and then sitting for a year in MLS, or would he have been better off playing 50 games in USL1 over those two years? Or better yet, playing in USL in year one and then getting 1000 minutes in MLS in year two?

    Are Gomez, Tessman, etc. ready for MLS right now? I would say no. In my opinion, they would be better off playing and adjusting to the professional game in USL1 than they would be going straight to MLS and sitting on the bench. Pepi was a great example of this where he played a good bit in USL1 last year and still got some experience in MLS. Hopefully he dominates USL1 this year and gets a bit more time in MLS this year.

    Of course, if a player is set on Europe, go. There's no problem with turning down a USL or MLS contract if a player is set on that, but if they are rejecting a contract offer because they think it is a slap in the face, then I would say that player might be a little bit ahead of themselves.

    What happens after the player proves himself in MLS and earns the opportunity to move abroad is another story. We haven't seen it happen yet, but we really have seen that level of player really come through, either. Cannon might be. Pomykal certainly is. Roberts is, I think. Sealy is, I think. Gomez and Tessman could be, I think. Hopefully FCD helps players realize these opportunities and cashes in on it, but we have the right to question that until they prove that they will move players who want that and have earned it.
     
  9. Runhard

    Runhard Member+

    Barcelona
    United States
    Jul 5, 2018
    These top level players may not be ready for MLS games at 17 or 18 but they are starting to realize they are worth more than a 25K or even 46K USL contract. If the options are:

    1. 20K to 46K USL deal where you are locked in for 3 years;
    2. Go to Europe with Porto, Hoffenheim, "other Bundesliga club"
    3. Go to Clemson, Duke, Maryland etc

    It appears some of the top tier talent does not like option 1. It may take more to get those kids to stay, such as an MLS deal well upwards of 6 figures. Even if they then play them on USL for a year or two. (See Dante).

    If they push for the one path fits all of "DA to USL to MLS" they may miss out on more top tier players.

    I do agree with you that if they don't sell Reggie, Pax, Jesus, Roberts, Reynolds or Pepi at some point, it will say a lot about the pathway.
     
    don Lamb repped this.
  10. bpet15

    bpet15 Member+

    Oct 4, 2016
    Should be interesting conversations in here today on the back of the San Antonio FC match last night.

    Cerrillo starting at the 8 over Roberts, Tessman coming on for a 20 minute cameo and 3 goals in 6 minutes should make for good discussions. I thought Tessman was fantastic and was very influential in 2 of the goals. He did not look out of place at all. I guess I am a bit confused as to why he was subbed on. Hell, I am a bit confused as to why he's even on the trip, unless they are still actively working on a deal and may not be far apart on negotiations. I don't have any info on the 30 minute period played after the match and wonder if Luchi had that group preplanned and decided not to used any of those players in the full match.

    As for Cerrillo and Roberts, someone said above that they aren't in competition at all. I think they are and Roberts best chance to get on the field more is at the 8.

    I didn't see the match, only the highlights. Anyone have a report as to how the team played overall? Did they struggle for 85 minutes against a USL Champ side and just happen to pull out a result?
     
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  11. dougtee

    dougtee Member+

    Feb 7, 2007
    i have no idea what dallas can do at this point to hold on to tessmann but they need to get creative and figure it out.
     
    USSoccerNova and ussoccer97531 repped this.
  12. bpet15

    bpet15 Member+

    Oct 4, 2016
    Correct. I think many people conflate playing in USL and being on USL contract. They are two completely different things. Playing in USL and proving yourself doesn't bother these kids. They have made it through the most competitive youth environment in the US.

    What is keeping these kids from signing is the financial package of a USL deal, especially when compared to recent HG signings by the club. If Dante Sealy and Thomas Roberts are making $100k+, no one can expect a prospect like Gomez or Tessman to sign a deal for less than those players. As discussed before, the blame partly lies with the club for their shotgun approach to HG signings and it partly lies with the league and their roster restrictions. I also think the Hunts need to take some of the blame, because they have not shown a willingness to tear up a contract that a player has clearly outperformed (Cannon) and offer up a new deal in line with the players performance.

    With the virtual assembly line of talent coming through this club, they may have to look at making all HG contracts equal, with the same wage, to put all they players on a level playing field. The only way that works is if they begin to reward players with new deals once they prove themselves on the field and get a certain amount of first team minutes. As of now, they have not shown they are willing to do that.

    Interesting times ahead.
     
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  13. STANDFAST

    STANDFAST Member

    United States
    Jun 8, 2018
    Totally agree that Dallas still has Weston PTSD which created a "we are just as good as a top European team....we really are dammit" chip on their shoulder that influences every academy player relationship they have.
     
  14. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I meant it more in a let's sign anyone who could bolt mentality. I think they rushed on several prospects and with the rules as they are it left them unable to add anymore to the roster. They really need to take stock of all signings and if they reach a point where they're not working out release the player so another can be added.
     
  15. dougtee

    dougtee Member+

    Feb 7, 2007
    i mean doesnt tessmann look a lot like another weston and they are on the verge of having him go play college soccer in 2020 and kick for the football team?
     
  16. Deevee

    Deevee Member

    Arsenal
    Germany
    Oct 27, 2019
    I don't think that will happen anytime soon. They would not even release HG rights to player not in their system, he just lives in the territory. It appears they want to have rights over every player in their territory whether they have space for the player or not.
     
  17. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well if they don't they will start losing the upcoming prospects in bulk as there will be no place for them. Maybe if they start offering the same salary as other HG's got when they signed for the full team that could work but even then they have to play them eventually and if the full literally has no slots that's not possible.
     
  18. TxEx

    TxEx Member+

    Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, FC Dallas
    Aug 19, 2016
    DFW
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Didn't someone point out that MLS teams can't offer more than MLS minimums on a USL contract? Did I misunderstand that point? Because that would mean FCD can't offer 100k to anyone on a USL contract. The minimum is 80k, right?
     
  19. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    #44 Clint Eastwood, Feb 13, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2020
    That's Chris Cappis PTSD after Houston Dynamo did the same thing to them.

    TO be fair, we still have quite a long time to go before Tessman goes off to Clemson. We'll see what happens there. He's still part of their academy for the spring season, and they must think there's a non-zero chance he'll sign with them. He can go off to Clemson and still come back and sign with them.

    No big deal to me.............................

    I think it was Sandon Mibut that said. A reminder that FCD's team is in USL League One. The idea of a $200k salary in USL League is ludicrous to begin with. That's more money than NTSC probably makes in a year. In the grand scheme of FCD's model you'd want the kids to only play 1-2 years in USL League 1. THey'd like it to be a direct like to academy graduates only. Now we're seeing FCD loan players that have succeeded in League 1 to the USL Championship (to San Antonio, Austin Bold, etc.). Then success there can further translate.

    That doesn't mean those players are on USL contracts. As far as I'm concerned, the elite of the elite prospects will be MLS contracts. [Like Ferreira, Pomykal, Richards, Roberts, etc. signed first team deals.] If they're playing in League One or the Championship to gain experience...........that's fine. But they're on first team contracts.

    I think that's the challenge that FCD is having now, and all teams in MLS will hopefully have in future years.
     
  20. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  21. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    No. That's cool.
    No room for Arturo Rodriguez in the FCD first team. NO room at the inn.

    And there's no point to Arturo playing for NTSC this year. So Arturo is moving up a level to the USL Championship, which is exactly what he needs. And if RSL/Real Monarchs want to retain him, then they have an option to buy. Perfect if you ask me.

    I do think that as I said..................the average number of years spent in USL League One for these players will be somewhere between 1 and 2 years. The players that FCD didn't like from last year have been purged already. The players that have excelled have been moved up the ladder.

    Seriously, how many players on the opening day roster last year for NTSC are going to be on the opening day roster this season? Very few indeed.
     
  22. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
    Didn’t they literally just do this with Pomykal and Ferreira? Both are now making $650K this season.

    Though this is no defense of the Hunts and their spending. Lord knows they have zero clue how to pay for a competent marketing team.
     
  23. bpet15

    bpet15 Member+

    Oct 4, 2016
    Yes, they did after last season ended, and they needed to for both players. I am more speaking of situations where Pomykal basically played for over a year in the first team being on considerably less money than Roberts, and I guess Servania as well. Those are situations that can cause issues within a club.

    When a starter, or regular contributor (think Cannon) is being payed less than some that hasn’t played 300 minutes, it is not a good look. I don’t know what went on with the Cannon situation as he very well may have turned down offers from the club. The second a player (Homegrown, Reserve) gets into the first team as a starter or integral part of the team, they should be approached with a new deal.
     
  24. TxEx

    TxEx Member+

    Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, FC Dallas
    Aug 19, 2016
    DFW
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    #49 TxEx, Feb 13, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2020
    Cannon was offered a new deal. It wasn't as much money as Pax or Ferreira because defenders don't get big money but FCD offered a new deal and so far Cannon has said no, as is his right. Laying this current impasse solely at FCD's feet is wrong. Players sometimes don't sign new deals.

    Two examples, Alderweireld refused a new deal at Tottenham for 2+ seasons. He wanted to go free agent and in the final year of his contract nobody offered up good money for him so he decided to stay at Spurs and then sign a new deal, which more than doubled his salary. In the meantime though he left 80k+ per year on the table banking on himself which didn't materialize.

    Eriksen also refused to sign a new deal. He was on 60k a year and turned down multiple contract offers. 2+ seasons as he too ran down his deal. He finally got his move to Milan but for way less money than he hoped and while he absolutely got a raise he too left money on the table by not agreeing to a new deal earlier.

    Both sides have to agree to a new deal. Maybe FCD is being cheap but paying Reggie a premium means there's less money to spend elsewhere. They also have internal replacements even if they're not as good as he is right now. Reggie on the other hand is betting on himself and a bigger move materializing sooner rather than later. If he gets sold this summer then no new deal was a good move. He gets injured or his form declines, no new deal may have been a bad decision. It's not black and white.
     
  25. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    It's a really interesting way to both get value for the backlog and let the players continue to develop.

    If Rodriguez kills it at Monarchs, he has a quick route to MLS. And FC Dallas gets some compensation.

    I really, really want to know the value of that buy option.
     
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