For Caleb Swann, this season has been about more than just minutes on the field, it’s been about proving he belongs. The 18-year-old midfielder is the only player on the North Texas SC roster to appear in every match, quickly making a role as one of the team’s most reliable pieces.
His rise has been steady. At 15, Swann lifted the Dallas Cup with Solar at Toyota Stadium, in his first real taste of winning. Soon after, the FC Dallas Academy came calling. It was a move that set him firmly on the path toward his dream.
“When I joined the FC Dallas Academy, I was determined to work hard so I could get involved in North Texas SC training sessions,” Swann recalls. “I kept working, trying to get better technically and physically. It was something I wanted to be part of since day one.”
By his senior year of high school, Swann had already committed to the University of Maryland, following the same collegiate route as his older sister Kaitlin at Baylor. But when North Texas offered him a contract, he was faced with the decision of having to choose between academics and a professional career.
“You know, Maryland is a great school with great academics and soccer, and I was excited to go there,” Swann says. “But at the end of the day, my goal was to become a professional. Signing with North Texas gets me closer to the highest level. I’m really happy with my decision.”
Family runs deep in the Swann household. His mother’s Colombian roots have shaped his style of play, and his parents’ support has guided both Caleb and his younger sister, Caroline, who recently made her own professional debut with Dallas Trinity FC.
“It was awesome to see Caroline make her debut because she’s two years younger than me,” he says with a grin. “She’s got a little bit of an edge on me, and she likes to mess with me about that. But honestly, I’m just happy for her and she deserves it.”
Now, as North Texas pushes toward the postseason, Caleb’s focus is clear: finish strong and make a playoff run.
“There were a lot of ups and downs this year, and you can’t let that affect you,” he says. “Having a good mentality is everything. You can have all the talent in the world, but without the right mentality, you’re not going to get very far. Our goal is to go all the way again in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, and we’ll fight to the very end.”
