MATCH NOTES
- Midfielder Aaron Essel scores his first goal of the season.
- FC Dallas midfielder Enes Sali makes season debut.
- Forward Faisu Sangare made his return from injury.
- Attendance: 548
- MLS NEXT Pro Box Score
ARLINGTON, Texas (August 16, 2025) – North Texas SC (8-9-4, 31 points) fell to St Louis CITY2 (15-4-3, 51 points) 3-1 on Saturday night at Choctaw Stadium. Midfielder Aaron Essel scored the lone goal for North Texas SC tonight.
AARON ESSEL SCORES HIS FIRST
Midfielder Aaron Essel scored his first goal of the season in the 49th minute of the match. Essel has 13 appearances for the club this season and is currently on loan from St. Johnstone FC of the Scottish Championship. North Texas now has 14 different goal scorers in the 2025 regular season.
WELCOME BACK ENES SALI
FC Dallas midfielder Enes Sali made his season debut tonight, playing the full 90 minutes. Sali returns from loan with Al-Riyadh SC of the Saudi Pro League. He joined the Saudi club in January 2025, and made eight appearances, scoring once, and assisting a goal. In 2024, Sali made 25 regular season appearances with North Texas, scoring eight goals, recorded six assists, and helped North Texas SC win the MLS NEXT Pro Cup on Nov. 9, 2024, defeating Philadelphia Union II at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. He made his FC Dallas senior-team debut in Leagues Cup against Liga MX side FC Juárez on July 31, 2024.
FAZ RETURNS
Forward Faisu Sangare made his return to action in the 70th minute of the match after sustaining a lower leg injury earlier this year. Sangare last appeared for NTSC versus Austin FC II on June 14, 2025. He signed with the club in April 2025 and made four appearances and scored one goal this season.
SERIES HISTORY
With tonight’s defeat, North Texas SC falls to a 3-5-2 record against St Louis CITY2, and a 3-2-0 record at Choctaw Stadium.
