Afterburn Soccer Show

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?

First, thank you to all of our listeners this year.

Thanks also to our regular contributors - Jose Carmona, Ismael Belkoura, and Collin Coovert. Also thanks to guys like Drew Epperly and Steve Davis for being great resources on the show and beyond.

This show also marks a small finality - we will likely start a new podcast feed in the coming year, since the old feed still has some BigD Soccer branding. I couldn’t figure out how to change it, so stay tuned for a new feed to subscribe as we get going in 2025.

For now, enjoy the show:

1 - We talk about Eric Quill and John Gall to FC Dallas and North Texas and how we feel about both hires.

2 - We grade the season academic style. And spoiler: No one gives FC Dallas an A.

3 - We close the show with what gives us hope in 2025 for this team.

See you in the New Year!

What a fun show - which may be our final livestream of 2024.

We started of by celebrating North Texas and an incredible season, a season that came down to the final 45 minutes. Down 2-0, could they respond? Yes. Hear from Michel about the halftime adjustment and his absolute appreciation for the team’s effort.

We also touch base on which players are ready to make the jump to the senior team.

And finally, we touch upon what we know for the FC Dallas head coaching search. Expect an announcement. Soon-ish.

If you want another example of the pathway FC Dallas available to its academy players, Michael Collodi, North Texas’ star goalkeeper, joins the list of talents who have put in the work and taken their opportunities.

Collodi was named MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year back on October 16, an amazing mark for the first year professional. His stats back it up:

Collodi posted a 13-4-6 record when playing in goal, registering a 73.1% save rate and logging six shutouts during the regular season. The Plano native ranks third in North Texas’ all-time in games played (23), wins (12) and saves (76). He also participated in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Goalie Wars, becoming the first North Texas SC goalkeeper to participate in the event.

In just about 24 hours, he will lead his squad out at home in Frisco to get a chance for an even bigger prize - winning the MLS Next Pro title.

Back in October, we sat down with Collodi and had a chance to hear more of his story, his dreams, and the kind of work ethic it takes to succeed with North Texas.

For starters, Michael glows when talking about what the academy experience did for him as far as preparing to be a professional.

“A lot of it was good coaching,” he said. “Having a bunch of different coaches as you progress through age groups. A big part is the proximity - they keep you close with the first and second team. If you want to go watch first-team training, you can. The first-team goalkeeping coach gets academy players in training, to get that mindset from an early age.”

Collodi has been with the FC Dallas organization from a young age, switching to goalkeeper at the age of seven and never looking back. While he dabbled in some other sports, soccer became his passion. His dream was always to play professionally, though he recognized that the pathway might look a little different for him.

When Columbia in New York City, an Ivy League school, came calling, he went for the opportunity.

“I think college was always in my next step. It’s easier to make that decision as a goalkeeper. Because obviously, you can play a lot longer than a field player. Part of it was just being able to get games in and get experience. A lot of times if you sign super young, it’s a lot harder to come in and get minutes, especially as a goalkeeper. You need to be in games, see those situations, and use those opportunities to learn from it. As much as we try to replicate it in training, you can’t do it without game time.”

As his four excellent years in college came to a close, John Gall, then interim head coach of North Texas, reached out to see if he was interested in continuing his career back home. It was an easy decision, a “joy” as he said it.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

“The biggest jump was the mentality and mindset of everything. As everyone knows, a lot of people go to college to play professionally or just to play as something fun to do. The environment is very different. It’s competitive. Everyone wants to win and go to the next step.”

One of the things fans don’t always see is the daily grind of playing a professional sport. Players have to truly love it. In college, soccer was a seasonal sport, and academics dominated as a pressure. But with North Texas? It’s a full-time job.

“Obviously, there are moments when people are frustrated. I try to remember that this is a game we play for fun and we are lucky enough to get paid to do it,” Michael said about how he stays balanced.

The young goalkeeper is thankful to be challenged week in and out by a phenomenal set of players, guys like Nico Gordon, Pedrinho, Enes Sali, Tarik Scott to name a few, who set a high bar.

“I think we have the best lineup in the league,” he said about his teammates. “I think we show it in our performances. That competitiveness and that desire has to come from somewhere. It comes from training - everyone wants to win. No one wants to lose. You have to prove yourself every day. You have to earn your money. We push each other as much as we can and that helps everybody.”

Consistency is Collodi’s goal as he tries to keep growing and take his game to the next level, dreaming of the senior team. It helps, he acknowledged, when the team has a strong identity, something instilled by John Gall and carried on by interim head coach Michel Garbini. Despite making a coaching change in the middle of the season, the team barely skipped a beat.

Part of that effort is getting mentally in the right place.

“A lot of goalkeeping - a high percentage - is mental. Decision-making and everything. Getting those decisions correct and consistent,” he said. “Consistency is the thing we want to see the most. Finding a way to see where I need to get better and using the coaching staff to help with that.”

His message to the academy kids still working their way through the system?

“I think it’s just kind of accepting that and learning that you will never be given anything. You have to work for it and take it for yourself. Being as dedicated as you can.”

You can watch the full conversation above, learning three of Collodi’s favorite keepers he seeks to model himself after, and discover his favorite taco spot.

And don’t forget to watch Collodi and North Texas play this Saturday as they welcome Philadelphia Union 2 for the MLS Next Pro championship.

Afterburn Soccer Show

FC Dallas grab 2-1 home win over SKC in the final game of 2024 season.

Petar Musa with his 16th goal on his debut season for FC Dallas - a great signing

(Hear Luccin’s post-game comments.)

What can the team build from this win going into the offseason?

Who are your first three players in and three players out as we think about rebuilding this team?

North Texas gets massive late win to advance in playoffs over Whitecaps 2

Goals from Herbert Endelay and Diego Garcia.

Despite a rally by Whitecaps, Pondeca scores a stunner for the go ahead goal.

(Hear Michel’s post-game comments.)

Did the team learn a lesson from this match if they want to continue?

Other Questions

End of year wants/needs

Could talk contracts

Transfers

Etc

Likelihood of Paxton being a viable option in midfield (will he stay healthy)

Will the soccer gods shine their grace upon us and send Paul’s 1.7mm to San Diego?

When will we see Carrera play for the first team?

Playoff schedule for FCD. Why are they delaying releasing it?

Afterburn Show Notes

North Texas: 8-2 Victory. Seven different goal scorers in a romp over MUFC2.

* What does this result do for the team going into the playoffs?

* Has Pedrinho done enough to get an invite to the first team camp next season?

* What would your advice be to Michel to keep the team grounded with a break before the next match?

FC Dallas: An embarrassing 3-2 loss in San Jose to end all hopes of postseason action. Musa was clearly not happy. A 0-0 draw in Portland.

* Drawing in Portland is something. What did you see from the team in these two matches that give you hope for the future?

* Musa did not play on Sunday in Portland. Luccin is asking for players to sacrifice. Do you think those comments were a message to Musa?

* What do we make of Luccin’s chances on the permanent position going into the final game of the season at home against SKC?

Shortlist for coaching candidates…

Hey, hey, it was a good show.

FC Dallas’ postseason hopes may be over, but as long as there is a chance… insert gif?

North Texas meanwhile locked up the No. 1 seed in all of MLS Next Pro. Home games for the postseason is an early present.

Listen and share and thanks for subscribing!!!

This was a nice and tidy show.

We started things off by delighting in the beautiful soccer on display last Saturday as FC Dallas took Los Angeles FC down. Could this be a sign of more to come? Shout out to Logan Farrington and Patrickson Delgado for strong performances. But it was nice to Jesus Ferreira and Alan Velasco starting.

North Texas continues to roll and have clinched the no. 1 seed in the MLS Next Pro playoffs. Can they win the “shield” for Next Pro? Two more games late. We love what this team is doing.

As usual, thanks for listening and please subscribe so we can grow this thing.