The FC Dallas Thread

2-2 draw for NTX last week in Portland (and an extra point in PKs). Both sides missed some gilt-edged chances in the 2H (and both GKers made huge saves in the 1H: Dymora on a PK and the Timbers' GK on a 1v1 with Diego Garcia). Edu Nys was very involved in both of NTX's goals.

Not a ton to note for thread-eligibles. Biggest thing for me was '07 Charles (making his season debut off of ACL surgery; played CM) and '08 Gibson coming in for the last 15min and looking stellar. Charles especially kind of took the game by the scruff of the neck. This team needs a reference forward for James and Nys to play off of and with Simmonds with the first team in the middle of a ST injury crisis they don't have one (unless Salazar comes off the bench, but I'm all the way out on him as a pro). Thought '06 Garcia was very good again as part of the front three (at least until the final 20min). Contreras struggled progressing the ball, Torquato struggled with his offside positioning defensively; both were quite good at the other stuff required of the WBs. Not seeing much out of '05 Newman at RCB to inspire confidence or continued starting time.

*FWIW, NTX plays in MN in about 40min and '09 Liam Vejrostek's on the bench for the first time.

 

‘08 Academy ST from Chicago by way of Tampa commits to Robert Morris. I like his game a lot, but he never could win the job over Chris Salazar and then Sam Sedeh came in and displaced him.

 

Good 2-0 win for Dallas last night on the road over RBNY.

Nolan Norris with another solid display. The Gozo, Hall, Tsakiris types will bring for flash. The USMNT pool needs developing CBs too! Norris is looking increasingly solid. Based on the status of the position with the Olympic pool, he's got a shot to make that team.

Caleb Swann saw time as a late sub.

Former USYNTer and Crew academy player Sam Sarver got his first MLS goal.
Good to see a kid that we talked about on these boards come thru.
I don't know if he'll ever turn into anything more than a role player, but he's a really fun player nonetheless. He has a nose for goals and plays with a lot of heart.

Go crazy @samsarver_! 😝

Sammy’s first @mls goal secures three points for @fcdallas. pic.twitter.com/eXdNEZ9cai

— Indiana Men's Soccer (@IndianaMSOC) May 3, 2026

 

Swann has looked good to me so far this season for NTSC.

 

I'm not sure if he's going to get a ton of time this season, as there's depth in central midfield. Still nice to see another homegrown player debut.

The 32nd Homegrown to step on the @MLS Stage.

Congratulations Caleb! 🦢 pic.twitter.com/vLWb8MnJss

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) May 4, 2026

 

Two former FCD academy players I never think about any more:

David Rodriguez has played in 4 of the last 5 games for Atletico San Luis in Liga MX.

Antonio Carrrera was on the bench last night for Tigres in the CCC. As he's been for their entire CCC run to the final.

Carrera is still only 22 years old.

 

Weird how it worked out for Carrera. he was stuck behind Paes so they traded him. Then they bring in Collodi, Paes gets injured and starts playing for Indonesia and Collodi looks better and wins the job. Would Carrera have done the same had he stayed? I know he was also very good with his feet but not as sure how he would handle the rest in MLS.

 

Carrera has still yet to play in a game for Tigres.

 

FCD U17s v DKSC U17s, DC Quarters, 4/2/26, W 3-1

Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Rios; Olu, Grimm, Salm, Fumtim; Velazquez ©, Soria (’10); Aragundi, Vargas, Chukwu; Caiafa (’10)

Subs: Glosson enters for Aragundi about 60min in. Echevarria and Martey come in for Chukwu and Vargas soon thereafter. Panozzo, Orlandelli, and Dias enter for Fumtim, Olu, and Caiafa with about 10min left (they change out GKs at this point but I never get a look at who comes in).

Goal(s):

· 22:34 – A DKSC mid scuffs it under pressure from Vargas and Soria collects in the middle of the field in DKSC’s half. He goes left, finds Aragundi, and then makes the underlapping run to get it back on the side of the box. He picks his head up and finds Caiafa on the PK spot, where Caiafa blasts it right into and through the GK (I was really frustrated that he didn’t make the near post run, but what do I know, I guess – just get open in shooting positions the box, doesn’t matter which).

· 48:07 – Velazquez slides the ball wide to Chukwu in DKSC’s third. He does a little hesitation move to skip into the box and drop it back to Velazquez at the top of the box. Velazquez flights a ball to the back post where Caiafa steps in front and redirects it with his head into the net.

· 1:32:19 – Salm on the ball in his half. Carries a little way to his right and then bombs a diagonal over the top for Glosson off the left. Glosson takes it down beautifully, touches past a defender into the box, and shoots far post. A recovering defender blocks it past the GK and into the next.

· 1:44:25 – DKSC CK. Misses some jumping heads just outside the six, falls to the ground, a DKSC player reacts first and passes it home from close range.

Other Key Chances:

· 5:59 – DKSC turns over Chukwu and plays up the left wing before Salm loses his balance under pressure on the ball and DKSC’s ST runs with it toward the box. On the backside, DKSC’s RW is running in behind between Grimm and Olu, so, when Velazquez comes flying back and tackles the ball off the ST and into the box, the RW reacts first and gets to the ball to shoot from near the PK spot, forcing a 1v1 save by Rios.

· 6:59 – Salm nods a cross up into the air, it gets blown by the win to the back of the box, and Fumtim trips the DKSC FW who comes down with it. PK. Rios makes a good save down and to his right.

· 14:10 – FCD on the ball deep inside their half. Grimm slides it up the halfspace to Aragundi checking back, and Aragundi bumps it inside to Velazquez, who picks his head up and wallops a ball over the DKSC RCB’s head for Caiafa to run onto. He catches up to it at the edge of the box before trying to push it into the near post, but his shot is wide.

· 35:05 – DKSC FK in FCD’s third after a Velazquez foul in transition. It comes of the top of the wall, Velazquez knocks it down right to a DKSC FW, and he shoots from seven yards but Rios comes up huge, deflecting it out.

· 1:05:15 – DKSC CK fizzed across the top of the six. FCD’s crowded into the six, so DKSC gets a free chance to direct it towards goal from eight yards but scuffs it and Olu clears.

· 1:19:45 – FCD hits a FK over the top and it bounces through six or so players before checking up to Caiafa entering DKSC’s third. He dwells on the ball a bit before spraying wide right to Chukwu and making the underlapping run into the box to receive the ball back. His cut back cross from the endline finds Vargas just inside the six, and Vargas gets hold of a loose ball before cannoning his shot off of the GK from close range.

Notes:

· Same lineup as we saw two days later in the final. Again, reminder that many of the best 2009s (Eason, Vejrostek, Sedeh, Drygas, Wygant, etc) are playing up with the U19s in this tournament.

· With the wind blowing like it is, Salm’s touch at 5:00 is very nice. Lol same from Grimm at 20:48. Willie Mays esque. (Salm’s passing is superb in this one – makes plays from the back) (lots of good offside-line-setting by those two in this one)

· Both STs wearing #57. The universe is trying to tell us something.

· I’m not going to be shocked if Caiafa’s the first 2010 to debut with NTX (likely this fall). Not that he’s the best prospect of the 2010s or anything, but NTX is crying out for ST play now that Simmonds is up with FCD. Salazar’s about to go to college (and isn’t good enough to play pro), Sedeh’s not a lone #9, and, crucially, Caiafa’s got the athleticism and size to compete at that level. He’s big and fast. Little through ball at 24:45 is nicely done. Quite a few solid moments dropping into midfield, but, like in the final, I hope he learns to test the backline off the ball more often. Don’t know that he thinks the game like the best of his peers (eg: struggles a little to make space in which to shoot in crowded boxes – combination of ball control and speed of thought). MOTM by a comfy margin.

· Another really solid game running the midfield for Soria. Lots of typical zippy work on the dribble and winning loose balls. The first goal comes from him, he sets up another chance at 40:55, the pass at 46:31 is fun.

· Bunch of big saves from Rios in the 1H. Does a nice job with his feet throughout.

· Aragundi wastes a great pick-out from Fumtim at 1:12:10.

· FCD should go get DKSC’s #42.

 

FCD sends three to a second national camp for the U14s (2012s): CB Evan Boyette, CM Lincoln Clark, and AM Mateo Arriaga. I've only just seen Clark for the first time recently, but there's another ~10 players in this age group for FCD that I rate as highly or higher than Boyette. More to come on the 2012s in a month or so.

 

FCD U16s v Miami Rush U17s, MLS Next Flex, 4/25/26, D 2-2 (5-3 W on shots from the mark)

Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Jaimes (’11); Orta, Guillen-Lopez, Arne, Melvin; Padilla, Awad ©, West; Hallie, Gomez, Flowers (’11)

Subs: Arne comes off injured for Watson about 40min in. 15min into the 2H, Orta, West, and Hallie come off for Jones, Monsivais, and Akem (note Monsivais as the left-sided CM and Akem as the W – opposite of what I would have expected). With 15min left, Tabe comes on for Melvin and goes to ST (Monsivais plays RB – Gomez into midfield).

Goal(s):

· 27:51 – Rush RCB on the ball inside his own box. Tries to step out and play to the LB, but Flowers cuts it off at the top of the box, takes a touch to goal, then tries to lift it over the outrushing GK and into the far post, but it’s saved. Hallie gets to the rebound and passes it home between two recovering defenders.

· 1:01:45 – Rush throw in inside FCD’s third. Goes to a FW on the edge of the box who’s got West on his back. He manages to turn to the endline, fake a cross, and cut back onto his right before looping a ball in front of goal. It floats over CGL’s head and the ST gets a free header from the top of the six that he puts in the net (CGL lost him for a nice bit of poacher movement).

· 1:29:19 – Rush CK. Inswinger to the backside about seven yards out. It goes through to Watson. Not sure if he’s trying to first-time clear it or take it down, but he ends up knocking it back toward the front of goal where there’s two Rush players on hand to stuff it home from close range.

· 2:01:45 – FCD FK on their RW beside Rush’s box. Gomez won it with some quick feet after a Gomez/Akem/Monsivais combo action up the right. Padilla curls it in at the top of the box and CGL gets a leg across his marker to direct it in.

Other Key Chances:

· None

Notes:

· I still don’t fully understand why, but apparently FCD entered the U16s into the U17 bracket of Flex, so FCD fielded two teams in the U17 bracket and none in the U16s? Again, not sure what’s happened or why. Anyway, they won their group against U17 squads – good result.

· I have not seen very much of this team at all this year. Eager to get a look at most of these kids.

· First time seeing Eli West. He’s part of the triple pivot look they start with alongside Padilla and Awad, mostly patrolling up the right side. Little sawed-off frame, but moves okay. Gets bullied a few times for heft. Mixed bag on the ball. Not a great first impression.

· Basically first time seeing Alvin Tabe. He is, indeed, very tall – maybe 6’3”ish? (still want them to try him at CB – lefty + tall + skilled isn’t common – but I’m reminded of the Ryan Hollingshead Rule that set piece threats in positions that aren’t normally set piece threats are hugely valuable: tall wingers / fullbacks / CMs are great – that said Tabe whiffs on a headed clearance at 1:59:15 so go figure). Nice sequence of soft-footedness starting at 2:00:19 - pleased with that. Doesn't have much quick-twitch athleticism to show in this one.

· 3-4 times early, Orta spoons a ball up the sideline during the buildout to Hallie with the Rush RB on his back. Hallie’s got to receive under pressure, hold the ball, and lay off to the open option, but only executes it once. Tough spot, but would like to see better success there. Not good enough facing his own goal generally – 5-6 TOs in just the first half (though he is put in that situation a ton). Has maybe grown a couple of inches? Spends most of the game getting pocketed by Rush’s RB. A little better in the 2H before he comes off, but still.

· Flowers and Jaimes playing up two age groups, obviously. Flowers still pops athletically (he and Melvin stacked on that wing are a handful combined – fun little sequence of actions for Melvin at 1:09:36) and stands out as the “flashiest” player for FCD (ie: his highs are higher than anyone else’s; disappears for stretches). Does all the right things at 1:47:03 up to the final decision when he needs to either slide it right to a wide open Gomez or fake a shot/pass to dribble through the defender facing him up - can’t settle for that shot.

· It’s nice that you’ve got two YNT CBs in one age group, obviously, with Arne and CGL. FCD’s historically struggled to find CBs that were ready for pro ball at 18, so most go to school (though they’re trying to change that with Scabin, Gibson, and Easterly). This game makes pretty clear, however, that both Arne and CGL need to grow another 2-3” if they’re going to be that kind of prospect. (I know people who think the third-stringer in this age group, Watson, is the best of the three, and he doesn’t need to grow anymore, so go figure). CGL plays very well, especially in the 2H – not dominant playing up an age group, but wins way more often than not both with and against the ball. MOTM.

· Nice little flick to make the geometry work by Gomez at 51:17. One of he or Melvin HAVE to get back at 1:33:58 after the turnover - #21 can’t still be behind them 10sec later in his own half. Another nice bit of skill from him at 1:55:35. He’s a playmaking ST and FCD didn’t make a lot of chances so maybe definitionally he didn’t have a great game, but he certainly didn’t have a bad game. Helped the team much more often than not when he got around the ball.

· Orta with a few nice, timely step-ups in the first half to intercept passes and start counters for FCD.

· Not shocking given he and Soria were the starters in this age group before Soria moved up, but Padilla’s FCD’s best CM in this one. Can’t quite stand out for pace, but he piles up quite a few solid actions moving the ball through the middle. Maybe it's me fiending but I wouldn't hate giving 2012 Arriaga a look in midfield insofar as this group struggles to create chances.

· For shots from the mark, FCD send up Tabe, Gomez, Padilla, CGL, and Akem. Rush has their GK go first, notably.

· #17 for Rush is good in the 1H.

 

Former FCD HG ‘06 joins local USL2 side (which feels WAY too far down the pyramid).

We are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Alejandro Urzua for the 2026 season. ✍️

The 20-year-old joins two-time MLS Coach of the Year Frank Yallop’s Chupacabras side, having previously played for FC Dallas.

Welcome to the Pack, Alejandro! 👊#FearThePack pic.twitter.com/o0fPI4KsDx

— McKinney Chupacabras FC (@McKChupacabras) May 7, 2026

 

CGL vs. Watson is close to me. I think there’s more upside with Watson, but CGL is more likely to turn into a pro, if that makes sense.

 

Smash-and-grab 2-0 win for NTX tonight on the road in Minnesota. Goals for '05 Enzo Newman and weeks-from-being-thread-eligible Ricky Louis. An assist for '06 Diego Garcia and 1-2 assists for Edu Nys (depending on if you count MLS assists). I missed a lot of the first half and NTX was down a player for much of the second, so I'll eschew any substantive review of players. One note: Slade Starnes left injured and Timmy Ospina was red-carded - watching for bench appearances for either Liam Vejrostek or Alex Soria next week against SKC.

Thread-eligibles involved: '07 GK Montoya (who appears to have taken over starter duties since returning from injury in the past few weeks), '07 Torquato, '05 Newman, '07 Charles (who appears to have taken over starting duties in midfield with Swann up in the first team - note Umberto Pela is still out injured but will likely take one spot once he gets back), and '06 Garcia started. '06 LWB Baran, '07 FW Contreras, and '08 RCB Gibson came off the bench. '07 Luccin made the bench but didn't appear.

 

Nice win for Dallas over RSL last night.

Norris continuing to look really solid.

....................and Sam Sarver. Another Sam Sarver goal.

That kid. That former USYNTer. He's going to turn himself into a cult hero if he's not careful.

You understand why the Crew didn't sign him as a homegrown. 2nd round draft talent. A 4 year college winger/forward. Not the demographic for stardom. But that guy just oozes "soccer rat." He just exudes this love for the game. It warms the heart to see that kind of player make it.

 

That was a heck of a goal. You rarely see a goal where a player makes a run that long. I also didn't know he was that fast.

 

Combination of Sarver having some pace and 2/3rds of the RSL defenders giving up.

 

He’s really fast - maybe the fastest guy at the club. Was a cheat code against younger MLSNP defenders last year. I figured they’d cut Anderson Julio last off-season because he and Sarver and so similar. Julio’s injury has led to the same outcome.

 

Sarver’s best trait is that he’s ridiculously fast. Ridiculously fast. One of the fastest in MLS.

 

There are often one or two athletes that suddenly emerge at around 22-24 and less occasionally as late as 26. This even more common in talented generations. The 2030 world cup cycle will be amazingly busy and fun.

 

How did I not notice this? Oh well.

 

FCD U15s v Queen City Mutiny U16s, MLS Next Flex, 4/24/26, W 5-1

Lineup (L-R, where applicable): Modersohn; Pea, Coriano, Lester ©, Dasgupta; Schmitz, Pastran (’12); Vargas; Cagle, Luccin, Olowu

Subs: ’12 Villatoro comes on at RB for Dasgupta at half. Yasin enters for Cagle after the third FCD goal. Luna enters for Olowu a few minutes thereafter. ’12 Villalvazo enters for Pastran with about 10min left.

Goal(s):

· 33:36 – QCM throw-in in their half goes to the middle. Their #10 lets it go across his body but Vargas then beats him to the ball about 25 yards from goal, rides a shirt tug, and finds Luccin alone on the far side at the edge of the box. Luccin takes two touches and side foots a hotshot into the far post upper corner over the outrushing GK. Great finish.

· 34:08 – QCM in possession just inside their half. Vargas blocks a long-ball up the field that bounces forward into a 50/50 for Schmitz and a QCM CM that Schmitz loses and now QCM is running at the backline in FCD’s half. They find a throughball behind Lester and the RW slots it into the far corner in his 1v1. Something went wrong with FCD’s offside line and marking of that run, but I’m not sure what (ie: how much do I blame Lester v Coriano v Dasgupta).

· 48:03 – Villatoro battling for a bouncing ball on the right side in QCM’s third manages to head it wide to Olowu, who dribbles inside before cutting upfield. The recovering LB cuts him off and tackles the ball away inside where it falls to Cagle’s feet just inside the box. He dances around three flailing QCM defenders and emphatically finishes from close range.

· 50:15 – FCD FK about 28 yards from QCM’s goal. Luccin’s over it; Pea overlaps on the left side and Luccin slides a ball for him to run down the side of the box onto near the endline. He gets there before the wall-player can defend the cross and smashes a low cross into the six. Olowu redirects it into the far post from point-blank.

· 1:02:57 – After an FCD CK, QCM tries to clear it but Schmitz collects about 25 yards from goal, loads up, fires under no pressure, and somehow wrong-foots the GK (was there a deflection) – goalie goes left, Schmitz went right.

· 1:14:17 – QCM steps in front of a slipped pass from Luccin into Yasin in the box and they clear out wide. Vargas collects, goes by a man toward the endline, and crosses to the back post, where an open Luna calmly places a header just inside the post.

Other Key Chances:

· 2:43 – Modersohn plays wide right to Coriano, who drives a little before finding Dasgupta on the right side near midfield. Dasgupta takes a touch and curls a ball behind the defense for Luccin’s backside run near the top of the box. Luccin settles between two defenders and shoots, clanking it off the right upright and behind.

· 5:29 – Lester takes a FK quickly in QCM’s half and finds Dasgupta running to the side of the area where he manages to poke the ball through a defender, pick up his head, and hit Olowu at the front corner of the six, but Olowu can’t sort his feet and redirect a shot to goal, instead just catching a chunk as it rolls by to the back post.

· 7:07 – QCM CM rolls the ball out to their LW wide of the box and he blows by Dasgupta to the endline before cutting back around Lester and getting to the edge of the box. His ST’s not ready to the centering pass inside the six and can’t get a foot on it before Pea sticks a foot in to clear it.

· 25:34 – QCM CM rolls the ball out to their LW wide of the box and he cuts by Dasgupta to the endline – it should be out for a GK but Lester can’t shield it over the endline and the LW dispossesses him and gets the ball on the edge of the six. He tries to roof a shot from the acute angle but can’t find the frame.

Notes:

· Various cuts in the footage throughout. I assume those mostly cover balls out of play and are immaterial, but could be wrong.

· Okay so the U15s also played up an age group at Flex too. Came in second in their group. Good performance overall.

· Pastran, Villatoro, and Villalvazo play up two age groups in this one. Pastran does fine – a little too many fouls given away in the middle, but quite useful in possession (good, typically “Pastran” moments at 29:15 and 31:57, for example). Villatoro shores up what was a problem side for FCD in the 1H – less to do with the ball.

· Pastran catches a body at 4:42. Pea at 14:45. Vargas at 15:40. Dasgupta at 20:33 and 35:12. Olowu at 44:45.

· Olowu loses his footing 3-4 times in the first 10min – picked the wrong studs or something. Between that and a bunch of loose touches under pressure, a bad first 30min from him. Perks up a bunch in the 2H.

· Pea, Vargas, and Schmitz all (to various degrees) in the bucket of “good/fun players but don’t buy any stock until they show athletic upside”. Pea especially flashes in this one – great brain, great control, just not enough ground coverage.

· I am trying to keep my mind open to the idea that Lenon Luccin is indeed a ST and being played in the right position and his meaningful production is indicative of real upside. Older for the age group and I worry he’s capped athletically, but if you just watch him play there’s clearly a very good player there.

· Coriano still runs like he’s 13. See 1:18:30 for example (he’s the FCD player on the left edge of the screen). Not sure what to make about that.

· #11 for QCM’s nice – very quick, aggressive winger. I know he’s playing down an age group but he gives FCD fits. Decent PK shout at 59:15 that goes unanswered. Has less success against Villatoro compared to Dasgupta. Get #14 in a professional environment and I bet he’d be something serious too.

 

Sarver was so good in MLS Next Pro. Transitioning to MLS and having that impact is a good look for the league.

He's just a fun player to watch; gives it his all but also has more than sufficient technical skill. He's going to need to embrace the Arjen Robben look sooner rather than later though...

 

2011 FW Benji Flowers is going with the US U15s to Croatia.

 

When one short, balding, high-motor, ex-YNT, high-personality, white fan favorite falls (Pomykal), destiny dictates that another (Sarver) take his place.