Shrug. They're just abjectly "OK." They've actually scored more goals than most of the teams below them in the Western Conference. They're not build to win 4-0. Can't do it. They should eek out enough 1-0, 1-1 results to make the playoffs. But hell, I thought Dallas was going to be a disaster heading into the season. No quality depth anywhere. None. When does that rear its ugly head? Midweek games like last night. The stars are tired, and the backups are decidedly mediocre. How much creativity were we expecting from a starting midfield of Cerrillo and Servania? Pomykal is the straw that stirs the drink there right now. From a thread perspective, Beni Redzic got in the game again last night. In fact, 5 homegrowns played in the match.
A few more academy transfers for FC Dallas. Nighte Pickering ('05) is leaving to Memphis 901 in USL. They are adding Jonathan Dozier ('07) from IMG and Caua Scabin ('07) from Inter Miami.
You figured something had to shift eventually between Pickering and Scott. '03 Mulato's looking very good and the club sure seems to be prioritizing '04 Torre over the 2005s for now, so minutes were going to be tough in the near term with NTSC. I guess Pickering was the first one to blink. The good news is new kid '06 Medrano (mentioned elsewhere in the linked twitter thread) is, imo, almost a carbon-copy: lanky lefty with soft feet, good goal scoring instincts, and fringe YNT quality.
I like that they actually went outside of Dallas with some of their recruiting decisions. I wasn't expecting much out of Pickering at the first team level and probably wouldn't expect any more out of Medrano (who has similarities as you say), but it's good that they are finally trying to bring in some kids from outside of Dallas. I don't know enough about the other kids from outside Dallas they brought in, so maybe one of them could be a good player. Saying all that, the three from Solar may end up being the big recruits for this summer. I also think Seba Gonzalez who is joining the Premier will eventually move up to the MLS NEXT academy team.
There are a little bit of red flags to Gael Medrano with Dallas being his third MLS academy in the last year (left Philly for NYRB, then left NYRB for Dallas). Gael when he originally left for Philly was an extremely highly rated prospect who suffered by the playing style of Philly’s academy. I wouldn’t have the highest expectations now but I’d consider him to be an upgrade compared to Nighte Pickering. Tarik Scott is still the striker at Dallas I rate the highest currently, while he isn’t a Pepi level prospect (don’t think there is one in FCD academy currently in any position), he’s been steadily improving
Any good academy is going to have competition for places. Pickering has always delivered goals, but there's seemingly always been concern about first team potential. He's going to Memphis, not Real Madrid. Liked the pickup of Lletget last night, by the way. I complained above about no quality depth, particularly behind Pomykal. Pax has already played more minutes than he did all of last season. [By the way, zero goals and two assists for Pax so far. He's having a nice season, but we need more goal-scoring impact from him. Goals aren't going to come from anywhere else in central midfield. I get frustrated sometimes that he seems to sit so deeply. He's turning into a deep-lying playmaker. That's fine, but I'd like him to play a more advanced position. Let the likes of Servania play deeper.] Lletget is the kind of quality depth that they could get. They don't have any international roster slots open (I believe). He's obviously not the second coming of Xavi, but can help. Its good to see the front office making these kids of upgrades. Small steps up the ladder. You're not going to be able to sign a young, domestic CM better than that. They're not available. This is who you can get, so I like it. Why not roll those dice? If there was some Tanner Tessmann type of player in NTSC or the U19s to integrate, then I'd of course advocate for that player. But there isn't a kid ready to go in that way. This Lletget move is only about providing depth NOW for the playoff run.
This is getting more into FCD in general and not the YNT guys but I think Lletget has to come in and be an instant starter. You have him, Pax and either Facu or Cerrillo at the 6. This will take time away from Servania and Ntsiki but they are not taking that spot for themselves just yet. Adding to the CM makes this team a top contender for the league. Solidly in playoff spot now with some lackluster closing out of games already. The Academy seems a bit of a mess in terms of future pros. They have Collin Smith at NTXSC as a homegrown that is not really making strides towards the first team and a bunch of others. Like I said before, Kumongo deserves a chance and once they dump Jara maybe he gets that chance. The U19s had very little in the way of future pros and the U17s, after all I heard about them, didn't look very convincing in the DA playoffs. Not much stood out the way guys like Tessman, Reynolds, Roberts et al did in the past. With the policy of not signing HG to the first team but only NTXSC I suggest it will be a long time before any of these guys gets a chance at the first team, and that is only after they make it big at NTXSC for at least a season or two.
2007 Javier “Chapito” Lopez joins the U16s from Seattle. He was used as a CM at his prior club. https://www.instagram.com/p/CgusOL2P5g8/ Chapito adds to his Atletico legend. He played in these boots all weekend. ❤️ of a 🦁.We will miss him as he joins @FCDallas academy starting next week. Not just the goals, but his ❤️.Congrats to Atletico B07. More 🏆 for the collection.El Atletico es mas que un club. pic.twitter.com/BFimnvuPH9— Atletico (@AtleticoNW) July 26, 2022
Lot of good stuff in this SA interview with Chris Hayden (free with an email signup). Long discussion of how MLS clubs should relate to independent youth clubs. One key quote: "SA: Would you like to comment on the issue of MLS teams’ territorial rights for players? It’s a controversial topic. CHRIS HAYDEN: Well, it's getting ready to change. I don't have all of the specifics but I know the league is working hard to design that plan and deliver it to the clubs. I can't publicly comment on what it will look like in its final form. But I do know it's going to be released rather soon and that it will change the way that clubs are protecting some of their players and even their entire territory."
The latest rumor I’ve been hearing is you have until 17 to sign a player, and then they are free to sign with another club. These rumors change all the time, so don’t take that as the official rule change, but that’s my recent operating view.
I think Pomykal actually impacts the attack more from a deeper position than he does from a higher position.
Big fan of what Dallas is doing in trading for MLS vets to plug gaps rather than spending $10m on random guys from Mexico. Seems like they're wisening up.
To me he's LDLT. Loves to dribble with the ball and drive forward but looks for a pass, the long switch etc. He's not anywhere near as physical as Musah, better defensively at reading the play and blocking passing lanes and pressing to win back possession.
Confirmation of the above discussion that I thought was worth cataloguing. He subbed on tonight in the 62nd for a Memphis 901 squad that, it should be noted, has an outside chance at a title this year. Finally put pen to paper ✍️Memphis 901 FC welcomes its youngest professional signing in club history. Welcome to the 901, Nighte Pickering! #DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/UnBzAUvQI7— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) August 4, 2022
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????Memphis... This kid might be something special!Nighte Pickering with the goal in his debut!#MEMvHFD#DefendMemphis pic.twitter.com/lfZmseTP89— Memphis 901 FC (@Memphis901FC) August 7, 2022
2005 Anthony Ramirez called back into MEXYNT U18 camp. 3rd camp with Mexico at this age group, I think, the prior two of which happened before a US U19 callup early in 2022. He hasn't made either of the last two US U19 rosters. 1556437241723060224 is not a valid tweet id
Nice assist from Collin Smith (‘03). .@northtexasSC's Hope Avayevu chops down the defense for the goal! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ou9ccxyylX— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 8, 2022
Almost had another in the last seconds but '02 Bernard put it wide from about 4 yards out. NTX draws T2 2-2 with a loss 6-7 in the resulting shootout. '05 Aguilar got the start again and got a little run over, I thought - he positions himself well, but isn't physically imposing enough to hold his own yet. Smith looked really good in possession. Bartlett and '02 Parker were at fault on the first T2 goal and got subbed for '03 Araneda and '05 Norris soon thereafter. First sighting of Thomas Roberts in a while and he was okay. Thought Carrera had a great day shot-stopping.
Bernie Kamungo with the brilliant finish! ✌️@northtexasSC 0-2 pic.twitter.com/Z7ay1oLm0p— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 8, 2022
I thought Smith was really good in this game. There wasn't a ton of defending to do, but he defended well when he had to. Kamungo's decision-making still isn't great, but it's been getting better. The speed and dribbling ability is a difference maker at this level. I still think Hope is really good. He was one of the best players on the field in this game. Carrera had a really good game also IMO. He had one or two wobbles. His decision-making can sometimes let him down, but I can't believe I think this guy is the fourth best '04 GK and I like his game as much as I do. Great year for GK's. Norris was dependable. Did his job. Not much more or less. Didn't think Parker had a very active game. I liked Roberts appearance. Thought he was very lively. I had never seen Araneda play before. Is he good? I liked his passing in this game. That stuck out to me.
The ball skills are the selling point. Newly converted to CB from CM, so he can get caught in his defensive positioning/awareness sometimes.
Pomykal is one of those rare players who goes to where he's needed the most. He has played well at several spots but if the midfield is being overrun and he's not getting the ball because of it he'll go help out. If he's a winger and the left back scoots past him and loses the ball he'll go all the way to the end line to defend the player who moved into that space. So ... I'm not disagreeing with just pointing out he might look better there because the other FCD mids aren't doing there jobs forcing him to do it for them.