North Texas SC Looks to Houston and 2024

With the MLS Next Pro season almost to a close, North Texas faces two in-state rivalries and questions for next season.

North Texas SC interim head coach John Gall spoke with Afterburn Soccer today as the team prepares to face Houston this weekend.

While the team has been eliminated from postseason contention, Gall indicated that there is still a focus to make the most out of these two matches.

“It's an in-state rival. It's an important game for us. It's a game we want to go and impose our self on the opponent,” Gall said about the team’s intensity throughout the week. “

New tactics are unlikely but not out of the question.

“We continue with the work we have been doing. It's been a good change in terms of how players are performing individually. We want to continue that,” Gall said. “Obviously, we've had a couple good weeks of training. It's something we want to try and implement, what we have done. Possession, controlling the game. Being dangerous.”

The squad is also healthy. Everyone is available, although some players might get pulled up to be with the first team. In particular, Herbert Endelay might be needed to provide cover at right back with Geovane Jesus suffering a season ending injury. Those decisions will be touch and go over the weekend.

This week, North Texas also announced open tryouts head of the 2024 season, a tradition that sets this project apart. In particular, the team can point to the success of Bernard Kamungo and now Tomas Pondeca as players introduced to the organization by casting a wide net.

Gall said that these tryouts are an important part of who this team is.

“We are a club for the community. It is something that is stressed with management, reach as far as we can across the metroplex. These open tryouts allow us to look at players not only from the metroplex but all over the country,” Gall said. “It's something we enjoy. We want to see players that are enthusiastic, with quality. We have these stories of Bernard and Pondeca. The dream is always there. The door is open at North Texas based on your ability, quality and mindset.”

A big question looming for North Texas is their next head coach.

I asked Gall if he had interest in removing the “interim” tag from his title, if he was a name that the front office should consider as they take their next steps.

“I’m 100% interested,” Gall said with a smile.