Which homegrown player is poised to have a breakout season for FC Dallas?
With numerous homegrown players on the roster, we break down our guesses for which player can step forward in 2025.
As this busy January continues and preseason camp is underway, the churn to the FC Dallas roster has been unprecedented. With Alan Velasco expected to depart and new arrivals anticipated, this radical roster makeover isn’t done yet though. But we know one thing - a bevy of homegrown players, developed from within the academy, are looking for their opportunity.
In particular, on January 9, Dallas signed six more homegrown players to senior roster spots. Sure, some of these guys were signed on hybrid deals and expected to spend their first year with North Texas before making the transition. Others showcased their skills enough to merit the jump to the first team.
From a roster construction perspective, homegrowns are kind of a cheat code in Major League Soccer. They help fill out the bottom of your roster with practice bodies and potential contributors without impacting your salary budget significantly. Some will likely spend time with North Texas Soccer Club based on how the coaches evaluate them, bouncing between the first and second teams as needed. Others have a shot to be a presence beyond practice and potentially on match day.
With six new faces and four returning homegrowns (Antonio Carrera, Nolan Norris, Paxton Pomykal, and Tarik Scott), it begs the question - which one of these guys is ready to take it to the next level?
For the sake of the argument, I am leaving Paxton Pomykal out of the mix, as despite being hampered by injury for a year and a half, he has for the most part established himself as a useful squad guy at the very least. His injury issues remain a concern. We are hoping that he regains full form and can serve a vital role off the bench over the first half of 2025.
But from there, it gets a little thin.
Even for a down year like 2024 when it seemed like young players should have been given a shot as veteran players struggled, minutes were scarce for homegrowns at FC Dallas.
Removing Jesus Ferreira’s 1324 minutes as a homegrown, you are left with some fairly paltry numbers. Dante Sealy had 857 minutes, Nolan Norris had 194 minutes, Tarik Scott had 52, and Paxton Pomykal had 6. Anthony Ramirez made his pro debut with a single minute.
That’s disappointing.
Jesus Ferreira has been traded to Seattle Sounders, marking a surprising but understandable end to his FC Dallas rise, and Dante Sealy is no longer with the team after once again failing to impress.
Who is not going to break out?
I think we can safely assume it’s not going to be a goalkeeper.
Voices within the FC Dallas fanbase have been waiting with bated breath for Antonio Carrera to make a play for extended minutes in goal. While he did spend some time with North Carolina FC in 2024, the team recalled him due to a need for practice bodies. Meanwhile, Maarten Paes has locked down the starting role and looks unlikely to give it up to Antonio or incoming North Texas legend Michael Collodi.
Of course, both players could get some minutes in 2025 based on schedule congestion and Open Cup decisions. They deserve the opportunity, but I won’t be surprised if FC Dallas looks for a loan spot for at least one of those guys and grabs an inexpensive veteran keeper with Jimmy Maurer headed to… ugh… Houston.
I also figure it will be hard for an attacking player like Daniel Baran or Diego Pepi to translate their games so quickly to the next level after earning extended minutes with North Texas. Most attacking positions on the wing and up top have stiff competition already with the senior team.
Who might realistically break out?
Nolan Norris, currently with the US U19s, appears to be the most logical choice to carve out some minutes, building on his brief run with the senior team and his extended role with North Texas during their championship campaign. Nolan offers flexibility as a defensive player, perhaps at left back or center back, but has shown growth in the midfield. With potential turnover to be expected in that part of the field (and Asier Illarramendi not yet signed), there could be an opening. Even if Nolan can get regular minutes to help lock down games, it would be a nice next step for him.
Of course, Nolan could be in the mix for a loan out to a USL-C side. Maybe a European team wants to give him a run with their B team. It’s clear he needs to take this next step in his career. Another year at North Texas is beneath him.
A Sneaky Pick
Building off the midfield theme, one homegrown has stood out in preseason - Diego Garcia. Reports from within training camp have indicated that the young midfielder, recently signed to the first team, is making every effort to impress. He’s stood out, and while he isn’t necessarily showing to be a starter, coaches highly rate him and his future. The question is - how quickly can he grow? What opportunities will the season present to him?
My gut is that he bounces back and forth between North Texas and FC Dallas for at least some part of 2025, but if injuries or poor form open the door, he could make a case as a contributor. He is still young, so there is no need to rush him. Keep this in mind though - Eric Quill is looking for a certain kind of player, those who are willing to bring intensity in all phases of play. If Diego Garcia is impressing him, he’ll get a shot for minutes sooner rather than later.
His incredible stats from last season, eight goals and seven assists, give us a hint of what he might be capable of.
What are your thoughts on the homegrowns you hope take a next step in 2025?
Let us know below in the comments.