The start of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season is around the corner, so it’s time to breakdown the North Texas SC roster (including FCD first team-ers that are likely to see time in MLS NEXT Pro).
North Texas SC opens the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season on March 1, 2026, against Real Monarchs at 4:30pm CT. As always, you can watch all of our games on MLSNEXTPro.com, and on OneFootball, the league's newest broadcast partner, providing free-to-air matches, including the regular season, Playoffs and MLS NEXT Pro Cup, to all OneFootball users around the world, beginning when MLS NEXT Pro’s fifth season kicks off Friday, Feb. 27.
Goalkeepers
Thomas Burchfield (NTSC, 16 y/o) - Burchfield was acquired from Austin FC II Academy earlier in January this year. At six-foot-seven, he’s the biggest player FC Dallas’ and North Texas SC has ever had in their organization. Last year, he was called up to the U.S. U-15 Youth Men’s National Team Camp in Feb. 2025. With Nico Montoya off at FC Dallas’ preseason training camp in Portugal, he split time evenly with fellow NTSC keeper Eryk Dymora.
Eryk Dymora (NTSC, 23 y/o) - Dymora arrives from Duke University, where he made 19 appearances with the Blue Devils, and guided Duke to the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer tournament, where he defeated FCDU in penalties and upset No. 3 Princeton. Dymora saw early action in the preseason camp for North Texas, but recently split time with Burchfield between the posts. Fun note: Dymora scored a game-winning penalty to send his previous college, Monmouth, to the CAA Championship in 2023. Could we see it again here on the professional stage?
Nico Montoya (NTSC, 18 y/o) - Montoya enters his second professional season after signing with the club in March 2025. This offseason, FC Dallas entered a goalkeeper shortage, after 16th overall MLS SuperDraft Niklas Herceg elected to return to Vermont for the upcoming season. Montoya benefited from such an instance and spent the 2026 preseason with FC Dallas in Portugal.
Defenders
Àlvaro Augusto (FCD, 20 y/o) - Augusto (pronounced AU-GOO-sto) returns to North Texas after splitting time with FC Dallas last season. He had a solid year, providing the energy and charisma that fans early on saw in his FC Dallas debut against Sporting Kansas City. Expect Augusto to be heavily involved in the North Texas lineup if he’s not needed by FC Dallas for a particular game.
Jonah Biggar (NTSC, 21 y/o) - Biggar joins from the University of South Carolina, playing three seasons with the Gamecocks. From 2023-25, he made 49 appearances, scored two goals, and registered seven assists. In 2024, he was drafted 70th overall by D.C. United. A six-foot-three, left-footed centerback is hard to come by, but North Texas landed Biggar to improve to the backline.
Ian Charles (NTSC, 19, y/o) - The FC Dallas Academy product returns home after playing his first year with UCLA in Summer/Fall 2025. He managed to play two games for the Bruins, before suffering a meniscus injury last year. With NTSC in 2025, Charles made 11 appearances and two goals. He was even named the MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek 5 following his first professional goal against Austin FC II. Charles should be on track to be available for the club by late March-early April, and be ready to build on his second year playing for John Gall.
Malachi Molina (FCD, 19 y/o) - Molina was loaned to Nashville SC for the 2026 MLS season.
Zach Molomo (NSTC, 18 y/o) - Molomo featured for North Texas SC six times in 2025, and is looking to build off of it more this season. Molomo was called into the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team in March 2025. The FC Dallas Academy product has seen early action in the preseason thus far.
Enzo Newman (FCD, 20 y/o) - The 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick out of Oregon State looks to make his return to action after missing a majority of the season with a torn ACL back in April 2025. This preseason with North Texas, he’s been featured heavily in training sessions and is ready to get back to action. Last year, he was featured as a RB, but we could see a transition to RWB if NTSC looks to mirror the first team.
Kaka Scabin (FCD, 19 y/o) - Scabin was set to return to action after suffering a Torn ACL in Nov. 2024. He was featured in most matches for NTSC this preseason. However, in the last week of preseason, Scabin suffered another major-knee injury, sidelining him for the season.
Slade Starnes (FCD, 22 y/o) - The FC Dallas Homegrown joined after spending his senior year at SMU. He captained the Mustangs to their first ACC Championship, and has been a player FC Dallas and North Texas SC were monitoring to return back home this offseason. With already having Jonah Biggar at six-foot-three, and Jonah Gibson at six-foot-two, Slade completes the three-center backline that we have seen used in preseason. I would also probably expect him to wear the armband this season.
Josh Torquato (FCD, 18 y/o) - Another FC Dallas Homegrown that I expect to see with North Texas a little more than last year. Due to injuries, FC Dallas signed Torquato and Sam Sarver, and for the most part, both mainly stayed with the first team in the latter half of 2025. With additions like Herman Johansson and Ricky Louis, I would expect Torquato to see plenty of action at LWB.
Midfielders
Favour Aroyameh (NTSC, 19 y/o) - Aroyameh returns for his first full-season with North Texas. After being signed in Feb. 2025, visa issues caused him to miss the first half of the season. He played well in his eight matches, including a sub appearance in North Texas’ 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational Cup against C.D. Tapatio. When available, he’s another player that has seen consistent game action.
Jaidyn Contreras (FCD, 18 y/o) - This one is interesting. Contreras, an FC Dallas Homegrown, is listed as a midfielder, however, we’ve seen him play as a forward in 2025. This preseason, trying to fit the scheme of the senior team, Contreras is being tested at Wingback on either side of the field. He’s looked solid in his couple games back there, having great chemistry with Edu Nys and Natty James. He’s been called up to both the U.S. Men’s National Team and the Honduras National Team in 2025.
Diego García (FCD, 19 y/o) - The FC Dallas Homegrown currently is tied for the most appearances in club history (66). At age 18, he set the club record for youngest player to record 50 appearances. Garcia had also been with FC Dallas in Portugal. If available, he should be an easy fit into the lineup especially assisting any forwards that are in front of him.
Natty James (NTSC, 21 y/o) - The Trinidad and Tobago international lands in North Texas after spending the 2025 season with Portland Hearts of Pine of USL League One. He made 22 appearances, scored three goals and recorded one assist. His goal scored on Oct. 21, 2025, won him the 2025 USL League One Goal of the Year. As mentioned earlier, he’s had great chemistry with Contreras and Nys, so eyes will be on him to continue to provide goals in the back of the net.
Isaiah Kaakoush (NTSC, 18 y/o) - The U.S. Men’s Youth international signed a new one-year deal in Jan. 2026. In 2025, he made 12 appearances for North Texas and was primarily seen as a defender than his traditional role as a midfielder. He was also named captain of Team West for the 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star game in Austin. In August 2025, Kaakoush suffered a Torn ACL in training. His timeline to return should be around the first half of the season.
Timmy Ospina (NTSC, 23 y/o) - The FC Dallas Academy product returns home to Dallas after spending time with Incarnate Word and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Most recently, he helped the Roos win the 2025 Summit League regular season, being atop of the table with a 4-1-1 record and a 12-4-5 overall record. He played under NTSC’s head coach John Gall as a U-19, so we’ll see that connection reunite on the professional stage.
Umberto Pelà (NTSC, 22 y/o) - The 44th overall MLS SuperDraft pick out of Virginia signed with North Texas earlier this month. Pelà is currently sidelined with a torn labrum, but is expected to jump right in when healthy again. The Cavalier captain alum joins Nicholas Simmonds (more on him later) after making 57 appearances, scoring five goals, and recorded eight assists from 2022-25.
Marlon Luccin (NTSC, 18 y/o) - The FC Dallas Academy product made his professional debut last year on July 3, 2025. Since then, he hasn’t seen much game action. However, I would expect an immediate change. This preseason, Luccin has found success in the midfield and scoring several set piece goals for the club. I’m excited to see how that translates this season for Luccin, as I would consider him the most improved of the preseason.
Edu Nys (NTSC, 21 y/o) - After being drafted 40th overall in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft out of UIC, Nys signed with North Texas SC earlier this month. Nys has filled the attacking midfielder role and has been successful, scoring as many goals as possible. I expect him to see heavy gametime this season, as his desire to compete is like no other. Look for Nys and Luccin in the midfield, who have an advantage speaking French to communicate and confuse the opposition.
Caleb Swann (FCD, 18 y/o) - Swann was the ultimate ironman for North Texas last year, playing all 30 matches in all-competitions in MLS NEXT Pro. He went with the first team to Portugal and has primarily been with FC Dallas in the preseason. I expect Swann to feature for North Texas more than FC Dallas. When he’s available, watch how many miles he runs in a single-match, it's truly interesting.
Forwards
Daniel Baran (FCD, 19 y/o) - The FC Dallas Homegrown found success in 2025, making 20 appearances and scored his first professional career goal against Timbers2 on April 5, 2025. Another interesting case with Baran, he’s traditionally a forward, but has also been seen at wingback this preseason. He’s also done well, drawing multiple penalties driving in with his bigger frame, and of course burying the goals for the club.
Samuel Sedeh (NTSC, 16 y/o) - Sedeh is an up-and-coming prodigy that North Texas SC is looking to unlock his full potential that we had a glimpse of towards the latter half of 2025. He debuted with the club on Sept. 6, 2026, and in his second game he recorded his first professional point against Real Monarchs. With Sarver probably not available, and Natty James primarily seen as a striker/forward, I would expect to see Sedeh provide a spark off the bench.
Honorable Mentions
Ricky Louis (FCD, 21 y/o) - The second overall MLS SuperDraft pick out of Georgia Southern has had quite the preseason. He flew with the senior team to Portugal, and hasn’t looked past since. He’s made an impact in every game he’s been in, scoring three goals and registering two assists. I expect Louis to remain with the first team, as he was on the bench for FC Dallas’ home opening win against Toronto FC this past weekend.
Nicholas Simmonds: (FCD, 19 y/o) - The third overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft has split time with both the senior team and North Texas. Once he returned from Portugal, he featured in the last couple of games in North Texas’ preseason. He wasn’t on the bench for Dallas’ home, and with a stacked forward group of Petar Musa and Logan Farrington, Deedson, and Anderson Julio, I expect the six-foot-four striker to stay with North Texas this season.
Nolan Norris (FCD, 20 y/o) - Norris was with FC Dallas in Portugal this preseason. I would expect him to remain mainly with the first team, but Norris is always a great option for NTSC to have in the backline.
Sam Sarver (FCD, 22 y/o) - When you hear about North Texas SC, you think about players like Ricardo Pepi, Ronaldo Damus, Bernard Kamungo, and Michael Collodi, for example. Well, you better add Sam Sarver to the group. The 41st overall pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft was signed by NTSC in Jan. 2025, and never looked back. Sarver made 25 appearances, scored a franchise high 19 goals, and recorded four assists in his first year with the club. He scored multiple hat tricks, scored the club’s first ever poker (four goals) and took home honors of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, and the most prestigious individual award in the league, the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Most Valuable Player. He signed with the senior team in July 2025, and this preseason, has primarily stayed with FC Dallas. I would imagine that Sarver would stay with the senior team, but if available for North Texas, you know he’s on top of everyone’s scouting department.
FC Dallas Academy players
North Texas SC is a pipeline that provides FC Dallas Academy players an opportunity to further their game and develop in a professional environment. This season, here are a few names that we could see suit up for North Texas. All have been seen training with North Texas in the preseason camp and heading into Week 1.
Jonathan Dozier - The UCLA commit looks to make his professional debut after being called onto the bench for a game last year.
Wyatt Easterly - The Oregon State Beaver commit made his professional debut against Real Monarchs on Sept. 27, 2025.
Benjamin Flowers - The 14-year-old midfielder is looking to make his professional debut this season.
Aiden Jordan - He made an appearance against SMU in the last preseason match. He's committed to UNC-Greensboro.
Chris Salazar - The Wisconsin Badgers commit made 17 appearances for the club last year, including scoring against Real Monarchs on Sept. 27, 2025.
Liam Vejrostek - The U.S. international returns from a dominant performance in the Concacaf U-17 World Cup Qualifiers.
Christian Wygant - The U.S. international made his professional debut against Real Monarchs on Sept. 27, 2025.
