The FC Dallas 2016 Academy graduating class will go down as unquestionably the most successful class in franchise history. The second club in USSDA history to win the U-16 and U-18 championships in back-to-back years, this group could produce plenty of players that will be seen on the Toyota Stadium pitch one day. As many of them leave Frisco to start the next step of their careers, we thought we would give you an update on each player so you can track their careers either in college or at the professional level.
#1 – Goalkeeper Ben Hale
The starter for both U-16 and U-18 championships, Hale heads to Furman University for the fall. Having appeared recently for youth national teams, Hale is one to watch for the upcoming U-20 World Cup qualifying cycle. Unfortunately, Hale sustained a knee injury that will likely cause him to miss much of his freshman campaign.
#2 – Defender Reggie Cannon
One of the breakout stars of the Academy in the last couple years, Cannon becomes the first FCD Academy alumni to play at UCLA this fall. Having also appeared for the youth national team, this outside back will be fighting to earn a spot on the US U-20 World Cup Qualifying team.
#3 – Defender Phillip Ponder
A major contributor at center back, Ponder heads to SMU this fall to play his college soccer and will certainly be one to watch on what is looking to be a stacked Mustangs squad.
#4 – Defender Hector Montalvo
One of the leaders of the U-18s, Montalvo has developed into one of the best center backs the Academy has ever produced. A U-19 recent national team callup, Montalvo will also be competing for that U-20 World Cup roster and heads to Grand Canyon University for the fall where he will play for former FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman.
#5 – Defender Brandon Terwege
Montalvo’s starting center back parter, Terwege returns to FCD next season for his senior season as the leader of the 2016-2017 U-18 back line. He is committed to play at Cal Poly starting in the 2017 season.
#6 – Midfielder Adrian Ramos
The starting defensive midfielder, Ramos returns for his senior year providing that bite in midfield to tackle the balls and play them to the attackers.
#7 – Midfielder Toshiki Yasuda
One of the starting wingers for FCD’s championship teams, the New Mexico native will play at SMU this fall looking to contribute right away having scored 10 goals in the regular season and the go-ahead goal in the national semifinal.
#9 – Forward Giovanni Montesdeoca
A big strong target forward, Montesdeoca scored the huge game-winning goal in the national quarterfinal vs Sporting KC. He will head to the University of North Carolina this fall and is certainly a name to watch for the future.
#10 – Midfielder Weston McKennie
The Central Conference Player of the Year, McKennie is committed to play at the University of Virginia in the fall, but is currently exploring professional options both with FCD and abroad.
#11 – Midfielder Devin Vega
A lightning-quick winger, Vega was arguably the squad’s best attacking player in the 2016 championship run and he has one more year of Development Academy eligibility left before college.
#13 – Midfielder Irvin Dominguez
A two-way midfielder for the U-18s Dominguez will play at Richland College in the fall.
#14 – Defender Eddie Munjoma
One of the starting outside backs for the U-18s, Munjoma is committed to play at SMU this fall looking to make an instant impact with the Mustangs.
#15 – Forward Gustavo Lopez
A high-impact substitute at forward, Lopes will look to lead the U-18 front line next year returning to the club for his senior year.
#21 – Midfielder Damian Hernandez
Another two-way midfielder Damian is also headed to Richland College this fall to start his college career.
#23 – Midfielder Juanito Ramirez
Another quick winger, Ramirez scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the national championship game and he will play at UT-Rio Grande Valley this fall.