FC Dallas' Preseason and Roster Is Shaping Up
The big news of the day - FC Dallas has an intriguing slate of preseason matches ahead, including some open to season ticket holders. Details here as 2026 comes into focus.
Happy New Year, fans.
FC Dallas kept the good cheer going with a big announcement today, setting the stage for a busy preseason spent in Frisco and in Portugal in advance of a massive Major League Soccer season in North America. Fresh with new names and young homegrown players, roster competition will be fierce. Expect the team to try to pick up where they left off in 2025.
And expect further movement too, if rumors continue to linger.
The most intriguing of the news is that FC Dallas is participating in two preseason competitions - the Atlantic Cup featuring Real Salt Lake and Brøndby IF and the inaugural Torneo de Tejas with Houston Dynamo, Atlanta United, and New York Red Bulls. I like this, as it will add some bragging rights and extra incentive to make the preseason competitive.
As we think about where the roster is, FC Dallas made official two big announcements already. Swedish international wingback Herman Johansson was announced on December 30, the kind of signing that should become the norm in the Eric Quill era. Johansson is an intriguing veteran and talent, a guy who has fought for survival and promotion in Sweden. He’s had to earn his way. I think he is going to be excellent for Dallas and really give Quill options to continue to build out this 3-5-2.
Earlier in the offseason, they completed the addition of Ran Binyamin as a U22 signing, an active midfielder who will deepen the competition and give Quill another option to create havoc and control the ball. The jury is out on this signing, but I don’t think the youngster is expected to immediately dominate. He has experience already and, again, at the least offers some depth and upside. I like his energy from the limited highlights we have seen.
In addition, on homegrown day, FC Dallas announced additional signings - Jaidyn Contreras, Kaka Scabin, Slade Starnes and Caleb Swann. For a few these guys, like Jaidyn, Kaka, and Caleb, these are just natural extensions of deals they first signed with North Texas SC. Slade Starnes is a welcome addition as a defender. It’s hard to know what to expect, but I imagine these guys will mostly get minutes with North Texas SC again this year. Caleb, in particular, featured in every match for North Texas, and he had some nice moments but has room to continue to mature. Jaidyn is the player we hope can take another step in 2026, but he needs to maximize his opportunities.
Meanwhile, North Texas Soccer Club also announced their roster decisions and right now have only six players signed to deals. Isaiah Kaakoush, who will be rehabbing from a torn ACL, was re-signed to an extension, but it’s unlikely we will see much of him this year. With the four homegrowns above in addition to a few draft picks that will get opportunities, work remains to be done ahead of a big year for the club as North Texas SC prepares to debut their new stadium sometime in the spring.
So, I mentioned rumors. What are those rumors out there?
Maarten Paes’ tenure in Frisco has seen a swirl of interest as of late with FC Dallas finding a more than capable starter in Michael Collodi, but the Indonesian international keeper took to social media to suggest that there is little fire to the smoke. Could something still materialize back in Europe or in Indonesia? Anything is possible, but it sounds like, in the short term, he is staying in Frisco.
Andre Zanotta went on the SoccerWise podcast and was clear that FC Dallas is in the market for a No. 10. While the clip was played up a bit, Zanotta sounded like the team is planning to be patient and look for the right kind of fit. Still, with a DP slot open, this is a huge need that simply didn’t work with Lucho Acosta’s arrival last year. I doubt there is a potential No. 10 within the league, and the winter transfer is not always ideal to find a ready addition. Will the summer and post-World Cup market see an opportunity?
The other big possibility is FC Dallas making a play for Weston McKennie whose contract with Juventus has not been renewed. The FC Dallas academy product could leave on a free transfer in the summer. While he will have interest in Europe, there is chatter that Weston is ready to come back to North America. Rumors have swirled that Dallas had productive talks in the past, but the price was too steep. Is it still too steep?
There is an even smaller rumor that a team or two in Brazil are considering Ramiro as a midfield reinforcement if other deals do not work out. Ramiro may not have been a fan favorite in 2025, but the veteran became an instant leader with his addition to the roster. I anticipate him continuing to be an important piece in 2026, but January is a long month.
Here is the complete schedule, directly from FC Dallas’ preseason:
FC Dallas’ Preseason Matches in Portugal:
Wednesday, Jan. 21: FC Dallas vs. Portimonense S.C., Estádio Municipal de Portimão, Portimão
Monday, Jan. 26: FC Dallas vs. Brøndby IF, Estádio Algarve, Loulé (Atlantic Cup)
Friday, Jan. 30: FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake, Estádio da Nora, Albufeira (Atlantic Cup)
The team returns to training at Toyota Soccer Center on Feb. 2 as it prepares for its debut in the inaugural Torneo de Tejas, hosted by FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo FC.
Torneo de Tejas Matches at Toyota Stadium and Toyota Soccer Center:
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. CT: FC Dallas vs. Red Bull New York, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Exclusive to season ticket members
Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. CT: FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo FC, Toyota Soccer Center Field 1, Frisco, Texas
Closed to fans and media
Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. CT: Red Bull New York vs. Atlanta United FC, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Closed to fans and media
Saturday, Feb. 14 at 12 p.m. CT: FC Dallas vs. Atlanta United FC, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Exclusive to season ticket members