Can North Texas Complete the Mission?

Opening their MLS Next Pro Playoffs at home against Vancouver, here are three things we need to see for North Texas to win it all.

This evening, less than two hours from now, North Texas Soccer Club takes the field against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2 to begin its 2024 postseason playoff run.

While their dominant form has already been celebrated by locking up home field advantage and the No. 1 seed, the playoffs are anyone’s game. While North Texas routinely crushed opponents at home, postseason games are promised to be tighter and intense. A slight mistake can open the door to an upset and an early bounce.

North Texas and interim head coach Michel need to complete the mission this team began earlier in the season, seeking to return this squad to championship status.

Here are three things to look for as the playoffs get underway in Arlington.

1 - Michel must get the lineups right.

I’ve asked the interim head coach this question many times - if having such a deep roster with talent, including league leading goalkeeper Michael Collodi and best X1 defender Nico Gordon, makes starting XI selection difficult. He agreed, admitting though it was a “good problem” to have. Still, figuring which starting XI to put on the field is not just about firepower - it’s also about the guys with the kind of mentality suited for the playoffs. Can they step up and make the big play? Simply put, the pressure is going to be intense.

At this point, North Texas does have a number of players with experience that they can turn to, including Nolan Norris and Carl Sainte. If I am betting, expect a similar lineup that we saw in their last game, an 8-2 destruction of Minnesota United FC 2.

2 - It’s on the defense now.

Do not expect a repeat shellacking like they did against Minnesota United 2. Sure, it would be nice and could relieve some pressure if North Texas can go up big early, but again, playoff games are weird. If Vancouver can get a goal, look to the visitors to try to kill the game, forcing extra time or penalty kicks. Neither team is likely going to want a wide open game.

Can the defense finish tonight strong? Can they keep a clean sheet?

3 - A 1-0 win is enough.

More than anything else, I want to see North Texas take charge of this match. If it turns into a back and forth, while that may favor the home side, it also opens the door to young players making mistakes. Rather, can North Texas find that opening goal and then kill the game themselves, controlling possession and forcing Vancouver to wear themselves under the Texas sun? I’ll be looking for leadership in a match like this, rather than youngsters wanting to play “hero” ball. Can they take the hard fouls and manage the match until the final whistle?

Again, a gutsy 1-0 win at home advances this team, and you don’t necessarily need anyone to score a golazo in the process. Find that early goal off of a set piece, and then wear the visitors out.

While the senior team couldn’t make the playoffs, North Texas can make this one of the most dominant seasons in their history. Now is the time to finish the job.