The FC Dallas Thread

Ortiz’s 7th goal in 8 games (he’s a true junior). I’d argue he’s playing up to Papa Ndoye’s level from the last few years at SMU, and Ndoye is now putting up strong numbers for Dynamo 2.

Ortiz is FCD HG eligible (I think) via his time at FCD-Premier, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped somewhere else in MLSNP or USL for next year.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! #SCTop10 #PonyUp @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/O2EO3zkVW3

— SMU Men's Soccer (@SMUSoccerM) September 24, 2022

 

Dang, that's a lot more rotation than I expected.

Eyestone on the bench here must mean Maurer with NTX for playoff game tomorrow.

Roberts on the bench finally.

I'm surprised Kamungo is also held out for NTX. https://t.co/K5EkFWXDEr

— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) September 24, 2022

 

I looks like he appeared in both of their first two games.

 

Ramirez started again in a 1-0 win over Germany.

 

NTX goes out in the first round of the playoffs to STL. Unfortunate confluence of injuries and international callups left them really short-handed in spots (Will Baker probably the 5th-choice option at CB, Scott the 3rd-choice starter at ST, first time Maurer's been with this team all year) and late-season loan Carl Sainte gets caught in transition constantly, leading to chances or bad fouls.

That said, they went out with a whimper - could never get into rhythm playing through STL and didn't have the field-stretching threat that Mulato normally gives. Disappointing end to the season.

Tonight's Starting XI from the Lou. #STLvNTX | #BringItHome pic.twitter.com/vNK22m4kMm

— North Texas SC (@northtexasSC) September 25, 2022

 

The better question for me is "What players from this year's NTSC play a role with the first team next season?"

1) Kamungo will be a first team player.
2) Isaiah Parker will hopefully be.

What does the organization do with Collin Smith? How do they view Torre? Hope? Will Carrera get a chance to move up the depth chart with the first team.

We're kind of in a transition within the academy. We knew the depth of talent wasn't there at the U19 level. But there's a lot on the way in the U17s, etc. so next year will be pretty interesting. Maybe they'll try to sign a couple of those to first team homegrown deals in the off-season.

 

Collin Smith actually looked a lot better to me this season. I think he has a role to play next season.

Isaiah Parker didn't look as good. I think he has a role to play, but I'm not sure he looked like a guy you're throwing right into the starting lineup.

Kamungo as mentioned should be playing a role. Maybe Carrera is the back up goalie and plays with reserves for match practice in certain weeks (Union did this with Freese this season).

 

Carrera started and went 90' in the U19s' final game in Slovenia. Norris came on in the second half to see the win through. Lots of rain and field was a mess - game was similarly sloppy.

Happy to field different opinions from anyone else who watched it, but I thought we saw those two's limitations in this one somewhat. Carrera, inconsistent in claiming service near his goal; Norris, liable to get run by (with and without the ball) if he's not in lockstep with the rest of his defensive line.

End the tournament with a 2-1 win vs Scotland and taking the trophy home!

LFG boys! pic.twitter.com/BcIyIwJeh0

— Antonio Carrera (@AntoTeamCarrera) September 27, 2022

 

Kamungo and Mulato will both be 1st team players.

Parker, Smith, and Hope, are likely looking at USL Championship loans. So is Bartlett, if the club refuses to give up him.

Where Carrera plays, depends on what the club does with Jimmy.

 

I think you’re right, but I also thought Carrera played well. He made some very difficult saves.

 

Carrera to me is an interesting question for FCD.
They triggered their transfer clause on Paes (he had only been on loan previously).
Maurer is under contract for next season. However, he's shown that he's good enough to start in MLS.

If I was FCD I'd be tempted to dangle Maurer in the expansion draft (St. Louis), and feel comfortable that Carrera can take a step up the ladder to backup if needed. He'll be 19 when next season starts. Or trade Maurer in some way. Maurer is paid ~$300k a year. He's not paid to be a backup. Money better spent elsewhere.

Then sign some league shrapnel on a minimum salary to be 3rd string, and compete with Carrera. Lots of those keepers available, and they're good enough in an emergency. Carrera can play for NTSC once in a while for game fitness, etc.

........................then have Eyestone, draft picks, whomever take the NTSC games.

As far as the fullback spot, Nanu is just there on loan. Goes to show players at Porto aren't necessarily better than MLS players. Nanu's played on the right and left. If they don't extend him, then there's a step up the ladder for guys like Parker and Smith.

Parker was 3rd overall in the draft behind two guys having an impact in the league. He's GenAd. They should find a way to use him.

FCD had 2 of the top 6 draft picks, and got essentially no first team impact from either. Of course, when you look at the rest of the first round................few teams did outside the top 2. We heard Kip Keller was an "MLS ready" defender, and he's barely played for Austin. At some point they're just going to do away with the draft. Its basically how teams fill their MLS Next Pro squads at this point. Have some sort of combine and let players sign with whomever they want. I get it. That won't happen. That's free agency.

 

That's how talent rich teams fill their MLS Next Pro Squads. Otherwise that's for some degree commitment to the signed throw draft players. Not sure that Bender and Celentano would end up where they are now without the draft.

 

Couple of noteworthy things here.
1) List of Academy guys training with NTX at the time (mid-late August): Scott, Kris Kelley, Grimm, Aguilar, Norris, Lacy, Baker, Urzua.
2) Kris Kelley was on crutches as of Sept 5 per his Instagram. Must have picked up some injury right at the end of August or in the first couple days of September.

 

I mentioned this in the academy thread. Recruitment for the 07's this summer was excellent. If they do that in the other age groups, they'll be back towards the top of MLS.

They already had Nicholes, Guzman, King, Outman, Cortellessa. It hurts to lose Miller and Madhlangove, but they had a good group of players regardless.

They added Hickman, Munson, Salazar, Swann, Hughes, Herrera, Scabin. Thats a lot to add, and some very good talents.

It adds up to a pretty good core of 07's. Rivals almost any club in the country. Nicholes, Munson, Salazar, Hickman, maybe Swann/Hughes, have real first team potential, and who knows what happens if Outman grows or King can make strides?

The 04's-06's were a real disappointment for the club, including the best of them leaving. You could even extend it back to JoGo leaving as a late '03. I hope they've solved the internal problems that caused those years to be down years for the academy.

 

October regional US U15 ID Camp set for Dallas #FCDallas #DTIDhttps://t.co/wfXPCMcnKR

— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) September 30, 2022

 

Any idea where Hickman came from? I know the others' stories...

 

He played with the FCD ECNL team last year.

 

Check out this run from Alejandro Urzua to help defend this counter-attack! Box to box! So much talent and awesome teammate!@FCDallas @3rdDegreeNet @FCDallasFR1 #DTID @TopDrawerSoccer @PrepSoccer https://t.co/4nyF5adbyl pic.twitter.com/7KZ8IlKZkm

— Eyestone (@eyestone_tx) October 3, 2022

 

Okay, FCD appears to be down to 10 players, and their lineup during that play appears to be (from left to right where applicable) *squints* Eyestone; Avila, Brandon, Scabin, Molina; Urzua, Salazar; Valdivia, [unknown forward - maybe Vargas maybe Lopez], Medrano.

 

FC Dallas U19s v LA TDP Elite 9/17/22, W 7-0


Lineup (L-R where applicable): Gomez; Jones, Grimm, DuBroff, Bernal; Garcia; Morales, Ferreira; Vivo, Martinez ©, Ferruzzi

Subs: At halftime: Lacy on for Martinez, Amaya (?) on for Ferreira, Anguiano (who takes the captain’s armband) on for Grimm, and Gallo on for Bernal. Right after the Ferruzzi goal, Hernandez and McCloud on for Morales and Ferruzzi – Amaya goes to play RW and Garcia stays as the single-pivot.

Goals:

· 25:06 – TDP trying to play out of the back down their left. The LCB passes to the LW, but Bernal jumps the lane, causes some chaos, and wins a throw. He takes a quick throw to Ferruzzi down the line, and Ferruzzi pops a ball into Martinez, who’s in the right side of the box. Clever take by Martinez to dummy the ball through, and he gets cleats through his knee for his efforts. PK. Martinez converts. IMO should have been a red card for serious foul play.

· 30:02 – FCD has been in pretty comfy possession in TDP’s half for a bit. They swing right to left, where Morales picks it up in the halfspace. He goes wide to Jones, who dribbles inside before going back out to Vivo on the wing beside the box. Vivo and Morales play 1-2 and Vivo gets behind the defense running at goal. He finishes near post.

· 38:15 – TDP building out again. Again playing to their LW. Again Bernal jumps in, this time taking down the man from behind but there’s no foul called. Garcia scoops up the ball, dribbles to the middle, and slides it left to Vivo. Vivo sidesteps one defender, shoots from the edge of the box, and scores on a deflection.

· 40:05 – FCD throw in deep in their own half on the right sideline. DuBroff throws to Grimm, who plays it into Garcia (dangerously, I might add). Garcia skillcheck to make some space at halfway, passes forward into the right halfspace to Ferreira, who turns and scoops a ball over the top in front of Martinez’ inside-out run in behind. Martinez uses a shot fake to get back onto his left and finishes far post. Not much resistance from TDP, but several good pieces of skill here.

· 59:04 – TDP transitioning forward up the left side. DuBroff does really well to break quickly and clear a ball forward near halfway after the TDP player pushed it past Gallo. Ferruzzi comes back to collect, bumps back to Gallo, Gallo passes inside to Lacy, and Lacy plays Ferruzzi, who spun off and up the right wing after his pass, in behind. Ferruzzi finishes in off the near post.

· 10:05:30 – TDP throw deep in their own half on FCD’s left. Anguiano pressures the recipient into a bad touch, Jones collects and plays to McCloud, who plays back to Garcia. Garcia scans and drops a very nice ball in behind to Gallo, who touches past the GK and finishes. Gallo missed a great chance after another good run in behind a few minutes earlier, but gets this one. Almost had a third a few minutes later too.

· 1:12:06 – TDP with an awful ball across the middle in their own half that Amaya intercepts. He slips a ball in behind for Lacy, who slides it home.

Other Notes:

· The U19s played SKC the next day, so this was a somewhat rotated squad.

· There's a jump in the footage of unknown length at 9:25.

· It’s early, but every clip I’ve seen of Jordan Jones so far this year has been him at LB. Looks to maybe be a full-time switch now.

· Manny Martinez looks like he maybe got a little taller and leaner over the summer. Moves like Edwin Cerrillo (a compliment). I guess I shouldn’t have been that surprised with his play late last season considering he kind of took over a starting spot for the U17s the year prior, but he’s snuck onto some of my “keep an eye on them” lists.

· Gomez…does not look like an Academy level goalkeeper. It’s bizarre to me that they haven’t found someone else willing to be a backup at this level (and I guess he’s gonna play few games this year anyway behind Eyestone and Salinas, but still). That said, really important intervention at 8:10 after Bernal's bad TO and Grimm gets run by.

· Both FCD CBs playing super aggressively counterpressing into LA’s half. You can tell they weren’t scared of the countering threat. Leads to FCD having about 80% possession.

· Morales’ movement as a second runner creating a lot of chances for FCD in the 1H.

· Lacy playing as a ST is new. He’s got a bit of a bambi look after a summer growth spurt. Solid job pressing from there. “False 9”.

· The U15s were on the field behind FCD’s GK in the first half, and I’m here to say that Zach Molomo was playing LCB over there. He’s always been more of a #10 than a #9 naturally, and I know they’ve experimented with him as a single-pivot and as a LB, but this still feel surprising for some reason. I guess they did almost the same thing with Myles Nicholes, though.

 

Interesting 3rd degree podcast about FCD partying ways with Pa Ma Do Ka. Apparently he sounded like quite the jerk and even had Derek Waldeck complaining to Human Resources at FCD about the treatment of the team. Made sense on why we didn't see certain players much this season and did see more of others.

Guess they move on to get someone more intuned with the philosophy of the big club. In truth the level of MLS next pro seems pretty bad and lost a lot of interest in this goup with the really poor game quality videos and lack of real prospects there. Kamungo has taken the leap but I am not sure he last more than a year or two at the big team or that he can score goals like that in MLS.

Will be interesting off season to see what happens to Beni, Blaine, Thomas Roberts, and if Colin is moved to the big team or another year in the wastelands of MLS next pro.

 

I believe that’s Manny Martinez at 39 seconds. Would not be the first time he’s been in 1st team training.

Petit questionnaire sur quelle est la meilleure série TV de Tous les temps du côté du FC Dallas.

On apprécie fortement le choix de Thomas Roberts par içi 👀#DTID pic.twitter.com/qxZxLlUDc0

— FC_Dallas FR 🇫🇷 (@FCDallasFR1) October 6, 2022

 

FCD U16 v Real Colorado 9/25/22, D 2-2


Lineup (L-R where applicable): Montoya; Torquato, Guzman, Scabin, Cortalessa; Charles; Outman, Swann; Arboleda, Salazar, Witis-Hughes

Subs: Herrera for Arboleda at halftime; Munson on for Guzman and Dozier on for Torquato at the 2nd half hydro break, 1:20:00 approx; 1:25:45 Witis-Hughes and Outman off for Luccin and Contreras; 1:43:00 Cortalessa off with a cramp for Nicholes, and Munson moves to RB.

Goals:

· 1:22:24 – RC with some extended possession in FCD’s half down the left side. Ball goes to their #6 about 40 yards from goal in the left halfspace. He hits a diagonal to the RB just outside the width of the 18 yard box, and the RB pops a sweet pass over Dozier’s head into the box for the FW, who finishes far post. Munson too slow to rotate over, which left a massive gap between him and Dozier.

· 1:27:42 – After Luccin wins a free kick on the right side, Herrera aim it to the far post runner, Salazar, who pops the ball up to the top of the box. Contreras hits it first time near post.

· 1:29:40 – FCD throw-in on the right sideline near midfield. Charles gets it and settles it, and then hits a beautiful diagonal to Contreras on the far corner of the box. Contreras takes it down and cuts across the top of the box and plays a 1-2 with Luccin into the middle of the box. He beats the GK to the ball and bumps back to Salazar, who finishes into the empty net. Great goal.

· 1:33:53 – RC throw in on the left wing. CM takes it down and mazes toward the endline before stabbing a pass inside to the edge of the box. RC player crosses into Charles, who gets undisciplined in his blocking technique and is called for a handball. PK. RC scores it.

Other Key Chances:

· 0:58 – Arboleda counterpresses a ball across the middle and wins a dangerous TO. Swann collects, carries left, and plays wide to an onrushing Torquato, who crosses into the middle. Inches past Arboleda’s foot from about 7 yards out.

· 6:25 – Swann carrying out of FCD’s defensive 3rd. Tries to hit a weak-footed pass out in front of Witis-Hughes on the wing, but puts it too far inside and it’s intercepted easily. Ball immediately goes wide, and is crossed into the six just over Guzman’s head. RC player scuffs the 1v1 shot, and it’s saved wide for a CK by Montoya.

· 13:50 – Charles gets on the ball near halfway after a RC TO. Plays across to Scabin, who hits a ball into Swann’s feet up the middle. Swann dances backwards a little before playing wide to Cortalessa, who drives forwards, does a 1-2 with Witis-Hughes, and gets to the edge of the box. He hit a low cross at the top of the box where Salazar controls (should have dummied) and shoots far post, hitting the post and out for a CK.

· 1:02:01 – Herrera kind of does a one-man “how to get the ball out of the back” clinic before playing an underlapping Torquato into space near halfway. Torquato carries a ways before slipping in Salazar 1v1, but he’s barely beaten to the ball by the GK.

· 1:07:05 – Herrera takes a quick, short CK as Outman has come out to support but wasn’t tailed at all. Outman carries into the box and gets to the endline before he’s challenged. Hits a low lefty cross into Salazar’s feet at the PK spot. Salazar controls and shoots with his left, and it’s somehow deflected out for another CK.

· 1:23:18 – Right off the kick-off after RC’s first goal, Dozier gets it on the left sideline, drives past his guy and rolls it inside to Herrera in the channel. Herrera cuts inside his marker at the top of the box and shoot hard, but it’s saved and spilled to Salazar. He shoots 1v1 right in front of goal but it’s saved and cleared.

Notes:

· First time seeing Charles with this group. Interested to see him start at the #6 (though Swann drops beside him sometimes). Between what I’d seen from his time with Puerto Rico and Arlington, I was assuming he’d be a #8 or a W. He’s clearly new to the spot: slow to react in transition moments for my taste – slow to close space. Looks like the biggest, strongest FCD player on the field. A Jan birthday, it should be noted. Hickman and Zertuche other options for that spot too. Of note: despite his size, he hits most of the non-CK dead balls, which he also did at his prior club and for the PRYNT – speaks to ball-striking ability.

· FCD’s lineup is very lopsided by physical development. LB-LCM-LW all small. RB-RCM-RW all average or bigger. Also, as is typical, RC is big and they use it (eg: they play Salazar very physical).

· Early game characterized by choppy FCD possession in their own half and RC breaking up play around midfield. That shifts into a more typical comfy possession for FCD about 20min in.

· Scabin seems to be the constant at CB for this group so far this year, with Guzman and Munson and Nicholes rotating in beside him. He’s tallish, he’s fast, reads the game well, he does positive stuff with the ball. Overall, a fine player but I guess I don’t really see why they think he’s a cut above the others.

· Torquato’s a fun player. I thought he was a righty, but maybe he’s just two-footed. Not sure if he’s a better prospect than King or McCloud tho.

· Cortalessa does a lot of good work in the 1H moving the ball forward into dangerous spots. 60 yard dribble at 20:20 the highlight. Maybe being a RB full-time is helping him.

· Outman remains small (his voice hasn’t dropped yet), but he’s good at finding space behind the oppo midfield and he has enough speed/skill while dribbling that he can carry from there without getting caught mostly. (i) he tends to hold onto the ball too long in those scenarios, (ii) don’t love his decision-making when he does release on time.

· I know he’s had a really productive run to start the year, but I’m not sold on Salazar yet. Big, aggressive movement in the box, bursty, with tidy enough feet to turn, sure, but he’s not particularly good at any of the other stuff that makes a great striker. Rarely affects play except in possession in the opposition box. Not well-rounded at all. We shall see. Gotta coach him up.

· First time seeing extended run from Montoya. Not a ton to report except I saw a couple really nice long ball and he made a couple big saves. Need a very large sample size to evaluate GKs.

· Saul Guzman scramble cover defending masterclass.

· Early returns, but I think FCD found a really good one in Javi Herrera. Would rate him higher than any of the other ’07 newcomers so far based solely on his FCD tape. Small, but slippery and fast, hard to stay in front of him, decisive on the ball, nose for space, plus crosser, combines super well, productive (5-6 assists so far). Others came in with more pedigree, so we’ll see, but he’s been excellent so far.

· Ref has a bit of a shocker in the first half.

· #19 for Real Colorado is a real player. Some body language stuff that’s not great, but he can ball.

 

[QUOTE="ussoccer97531, post: 40824960, member: 214277" I hope they've solved the internal problems that caused those years to be down years for the academy.[/QUOTE]

I'm going to speculate that the problems were due to not having a second team for a while and when players were signed to HG spots the next group expected the same. When they were offered second team contracts they felt insulted (except for Pepi?). Now that the order has been established and they see players do move up it should be better.

NYRB has done it this way for years and FCD was just behind at this. I'd go so far as to say NYRB was the early leader and trend setter and while FCD caught in many ways LAG should have and is nowhere near where they should be. Philly has also caught up and probably passed the rest at the moment.

FCD isn't really an innovator but good at copying and improving. I will predict they have learned from selling a bit too soon and have watched Philly do a better job and will copy and maybe even improve with the next wave.

 

I think it’s mostly that they had so many changing roles because some were promoted and others left. They didn’t fill the holes well, and it led to a bunch of people in roles they couldn’t adequately fill.

That’s sometimes what happens when you have a lot of success at the academy level. People move on up to higher levels. They don’t want to stay at the youth level.