On a cool evening in Portland, North Texas Soccer Club made up for lost points at home during the previous weekend, as a late Malachi Molina stunner grabbed all three points for the visitors on their way to a 2-1 win.

You can hear a bit of head coach John Gall’s elation above.

They knew this was going to be a tough match. Away matches in any league are. For North Texas, you can layer a disappointing result at home last weekend onto it, giving up goals and settling for a draw. We know this is a team that is a work in progress, like their senior team. New signings are on the way. Expectations are being raised. Every week, the starting lineup is coming together.

“It was a really tough game today against a good team. I felt we were up against it in terms of how things have gone over the last couple of games,” Gall said to media. “So much resilience today, so proud of these guys. I knew it was coming. I’m impressed to go down after 40 seconds and come back and win the game in the last minute. Says a lot about the group. These guys gave their absolutely everything today.”

Antonio Carrera, whose career is hanging in the balance, recorded a career high 9 saves.

Molina, in particular, showed an ability to be a legend for this club.

Right now, North Texas sits in 4th place in the Western Conference. For a team that has been completely rebuilt, with only a handful of contributors from the senior side, this is a massive statement. New signings are on the way, as we discussed in our last podcast. The sky is the limit for this team to find ways to improve and develop consistency over the coming months.

In particular, watch for new signing Aaron Essel, a Ghanian national team player who comes loaded with first team experience and has the potential to be one of the next big signings for FC Dallas down the road.

It’s hard this early in the season, despite North Texas winning it all last year, to know what to expect of this team. North Texas serves as a proving ground for the first team. They are to give young players a chance to develop, to prove themselves, or even just to get fit. So far, that work is unfolding.

But let me say it this way - to drop points at home and then follow up with a clutch away win, that says enormous potential is ahead for this young side.

Keep watching North Texas.

They could be special this year.

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Here are the notes for the show this week:

FC Dallas got a crucial home win against visitors Sporting Kansas City, a 2-1 come-from-behind victory. Was it pretty? No. Was it effective? Yes.

Let’s do reactions first.

Peter Vermes was fired as SKC head coach on Monday. How does that feel to have your team be responsible for a rival’s coach fire?

What remains a work in progress for this team - in particular, 40% possession at home? Should we be concerned?

Urhoghide is a great signing - can this defense improve?

—

North Texas drew at home and lost the resulting shootout. A disappointment as they were ahead by 3-1. Brace from Tarik Scott.

With new signings this week, are we still not concerned about this young team’s prospects?

New signing from first division of Scottish Premiere League - midfielder Aaron Essel. Is this a signing that shows intent?

—

Construction has begun. FC Dallas had a press event to mark the next phase of construction for the stadium in Frisco. Let’s hear from Dan Hunt.

What does a 100 year vision mean? How are we feeling about this project?

—

Predictions for this weekend:

@ Atlanta. A struggling team. Can Dallas get this done?

Thanks for liking and subscribing to our FC Dallas and North Texas Soccer podcast, breaking down all you need to know.

We have good news in this one, as we look back at FC Dallas’ gutsy and emotional win over RSL in Salt Lake City. It was a much-improved performance, specifically from the defense, but there is work ahead. In particular, we spend some time thinking about the formation shift that Eric Quill brought to the side which worked wonders!

North Texas is a young side, so we shouldn’t be too concerned about their humbling loss in Houston after a red card. They are bound to improve, but it is an early wakeup call for this team.

We even touch upon some United States Men’s National Team talk after disappointment this past week and then close out the show with predictions for the Sporting Kansas City match.

Please help us spread the word.

Thanks to Caleb Swann for the time and for the North Texas media crew to make these interviews possible.

Be sure to read our write-up on the interview.

Here are a couple of highlights from the signing announcement:

North Texas SC has signed FC Dallas Academy midfielder Caleb Swann to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract for the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season.

Swann joined the FC Dallas Academy for the 2022-23 season. Swann has featured for the FC Dallas Academy in MLS NEXT Fest and Flex tournaments and trained with North Texas SC throughout the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Prior to joining North Texas, Swann committed to play Division 1 soccer at the University of Maryland.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Caleb and watching him continue to develop within our pathway,” said North Texas SC head coach John Gall. “He’s industrious in the middle of the park and very intelligent on both sides of the ball. He’s a player that I am very familiar with, and I’m so happy for him and his family.”

Read more here.

Welcome back to the Afterburn Soccer Show.

Jose and Nathan look back at the disappointing result on Saturday, as FC Dallas loses their second straight home match.

Yes, they lost to Vancouver who may be one of the best teams in the league.

But the performance left a lot to be desired. We hear from head coach Eric Quill and take some time to diagnose what the issue is.

Then we turn our attention to North Texas Soccer Club’s big win over the Vancouver Whitecaps 2. It’s a young team, but it was a big moment to see Sam Sarver get his first brace in a North Texas kit.

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Thanks for listening to the Afterburn Soccer Show!

This episode we look back at the weekend and a disappointing home opener for FC Dallas, as they collapse in the final ten minutes against the Chicago Fire. Was it all head coach Eric Quill’s fault? How are fans feeling?

Then we talk about North Texas Soccer Club also dropping their home opener to St Louis City SC 2. The young side, completely transformed from last season’s championship team, struggled for stretches of the match. This is definitely a work in progress.

We close out the show with predictions for the Vancouver match this weekend. A big one.

Please like, subscribe, share.

Thanks for listening folks!

Jose, Nathan, and Coov hold down the fort in this one, as we all feel really excited about FC Dallas’ attack. We haven’t seen anything like this in Frisco for a while.

We were stoked to be joined by Jose’s brother-in-law, Marcin, a Colorado Rapids fan, who shared some of his thoughts on the game and the areas that FC Dallas need to improve (hint: defense).

We also hear from FC Dallas head coach Eric Quill about what he wants fans to expect as the team pushes for wins, even on the road, and about the future of Pedrinho, who got his first start on Saturday.

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Show Notes: February 24, 2025

Welcome to Afterburn Soccer. What a weekend for Major League Soccer - but what a weekend for FC Dallas, as they travel down to Houston and open their campaign with a come from behind win, 2-1.

We are going to get to our reactions from our crew here:

our regular Jose Carmona @elchicocarmona

the man in the stands Collin Coovert @MrCoov

and our tactical mind Ismael Belkoura @IshyPlanoFishy

Please send in your comments in YouTube chat and we will get to them as quick as we can.

First, let’s just do reactions from this win. Not necessarily pretty but beautiful. Coov, you were there in the supporters section. Give us your reactions to this big win.

How do we grade Eric Quill in his first match as FC Dallas head coach?

No doubt, the nerves and emotions were all over the place. Quill was coaching in his first game at this level in front of family and friends. How do you think he handled the moment, and what did you see from his substitution patterns and choices?

Which debutant for Dallas impressed the most?

I didn’t predict Ozase Urhoghide to start. Maybe few of us did. But not only did he start, he dominated. What does this mean for the record defensive signing, and what does it mean for Dallas’ ceiling for a long season ahead?

Or should we focus more on Anderson Julio who scored the clutch go-ahead goal?

Or Shaq Moore’s dependable work in all phases of the play at right back?

Who do you want to see more out of going forward?

The win is huge, but it’s clear that Dallas has a lot to work on. Lucho Acosta did not exactly dazzle in his first start, but he wasn’t alone. Bernard Kamungo got a big start and was kind of a mess, earning a yellow card for some reckless play. The offensive side of the ball is definitely a work in progress. What do you hope shows improvement in the coming weeks as the team builds more chemistry?

What stories around the league have you intrigued?

Predictions!

Our long wait - an offseason of monumental change for FC Dallas - is almost over.

FC Dallas plays Houston Dynamo in Houston to kick off what should be an incredible new season for Major League Soccer. I have to admit - because of the enormous investments and inter-league trades - my curiosity is piqued for a whole bunch of teams. We might see one of the most competitive seasons ever.

But tonight, we turn our attention to FC Dallas and get to see this new look squad in action for the first time in competitive play.

Here are my three questions since there is so much we still don’t know about how Eric Quill and a newly constructed FC Dallas roster is going to approach things.

Will the defense show improvement?

I highlighted this before, but FC Dallas’ defense must improve if the team is going to get back into the playoffs this season. With preseason behind them, though, there are still lots of questions if this unit can gel, integrate new pieces, and show up big. Tonight against Houston, they have their first test.

I sent my question about the defense to be asked to Eric Quill, and you can see his response above. In essence, he acknowledged the work that needs to be done and some of the mistakes in preseason. But he is clear - he wants to see clean sheets.

We might see Ozase Urhoghide make a debut at some point - but it’s unlikely he will start.

How much will Lucho Acosta play?

Lucho joined FC Dallas late into preseason. He’s still no doubt getting his feet under him in Frisco and connecting with his teammates. Will he start and go 45-60 minutes? Or do they opt to bring him off the bench and not be in a hurry, especially on a road match? Either way, his presence will be a huge boost for the team.

I could see either scenario really be awesome - bring Lucho in to tie it up if Dallas is down in the second half or start with a bang and bring in young guys to finish off Houston.

Who are going to be DAWGS tonight?

This is the biggest thing to watch for - will Eric Quill’s demand for players to step up with aggressiveness and attitude be apparent from the opening whistle? Who is going to try to impress the coach with the minutes they are provided? I think all phases of the lineup tonight have spots up for grabs down the stretch, so even a young homegrown or one of the new guys has a chance to set a high bar for others to overcome.

I am really hoping to see Ramiro Benetti get some extended minutes and showcase whether he was a solid pickup for our boys from Frisco.

What are your questions?

Show Notes: Afterburn Soccer Show, February 17, 2025

Welcome to the Afterburn Soccer Show. Season Three. But a new season for FC Dallas in what has been one of the biggest offseason revamps in club history. We have so much to talk about, and we welcome our good friends - Jose Carmona, Ismael Belkoura, and Collin Coovert.

Thanks for listening in and joining us. Hit us with your comments and questions in the YouTube chat. And if you ever miss a show, find us wherever you find podcasts.

* All of this happened in the offseason for FC Dallas - new head coach, huge profile departures, including Jesus Ferreira, Paul Arriola, Nkosi Tafari. Huge incoming player signings, especially former MLS MVP Lucho Acosta. A record signing CB in Ozase. New wingers. Just wow. What is the storyline of this offseason for each of you? Jose, let’s start with you.

* How would you all grade this offseason and the work that the front office did so far? We’ll start with you, Coov.

* Before we get to Lucho, give your initial impressions of Eric Quill’s hire. In some ways, it was hardly a secret. But he wants DAWGS - he wants to restore some aggressiveness

* With Lucho Acosta’s arrival, the team has a true playmaker in attack - the first since Mauro Diaz or even David Ferreira. Does Lucho’s arrival raise the floor of what 2025 could be? Or raise the ceiling? Does he turn FC Dallas into a contender in the MLS Western Conference? We’ll start with you Ismael.

* What new signing - or existing player - is poised to have a monster year with all of these changes? Jose?

* MLS season actions begins on Saturday as FC Dallas travels down to Houston to kick things off. Let’s do predictions. Ismael?