FC Dallas 2026 Season Preview

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Hooligan Soccer

·6 February 2026

FC Dallas 2026 Season Preview

This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘ FC Dallas preview for the 2026 MLS Season with special guest Jose Tellez from “Golz TV.” You can find that video on Spotify below.

2025 Recap

FC Dallas had an interesting 2025. They finished 7th in the Western Conference with a 11-11-12 record, but were eliminated by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first round of the playoffs. In fact, their “Decision Day” matchup was also the Whitecaps, making the Whitecaps Dallas’s last three matchups of 2025.

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Dallas’s season started with the surprise acquisition of Luciano Acosta from FC Cincy, which started a flurry of #10 signings (Cincy then added Evander, while Portland added da Cosa). They also added 20 year old Kaick midseason from Gremio.

On the scoring side, Petar Musa continued his development into a top MLS striker, adding 18 goals and 6 assists. Luciano Acosta never got off to the start he wanted. He finished the season with 5 goals, 1 assists, and a one-way ticket to Fluminense.

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Besides Luciano Acosta, FC Dallas also lost star goalkeeper Maarten Paes who will spend 2026 at Ajax. They declined the option on both Pedrinho and Diego Pepi, and loaned Enes Salí to Al-Riyad.

Incoming players include Herman Johansson, a Swedish right back who won the Swedish Allsvenskan with Mjällby AIF last season. He should be a day one starter.

For depth they brought in Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois and Tel Aviv midfielder Ran Binyamin.

In traditional FC Dallas fashion, they also brought in 2 Superdraft picks and 4 player on Homegrown deals. They will hope to follow in a traditionally strong Dallas youth development that gave us Weston McKennie, Kellyn Acosta, Jesus Ferreira, Ricardo Pepsi, and Paxton Pomykal.

Depth Chart

This season FC Dallas and coach Eric Quill should be trying a five man backline look, with Bernard Kamungo and Herman Johansson as the wingbacks. They have five center backs, and I project Nolan Norris, Osaze Urhoghide, and Shaq Moore to fill those positions at opening kickoff. Urhoghide, at age 25, came up playing youth soccer with Sheffield Wednesday before journeying through Celtic, Belgium side Oostende, and Amiens in France. He will anchor whatever backline Quill eventually chooses.

Into the midfield, we have a set of box-to-box midfielders where I think Kaick and Christian Cappis will be day-one starters. There is a surplus of talent at midfield, with Paxton Pomykal, Ramiro, Diego Garcia, and Ran Binyamin for depth.

We have Patrickson Delgado as the #10 now, but players like Christian Cappis or Paxton Pomykal could get a shot. There is no true #10 on this team, as Luco Acosta’s departure leaves a big hole. The #10 could be upgraded at some point in 2026.

At the top of the attack, Petar Musa will hope to have another great season, which should (and should have already) earned him serious looks from Europe. Logan Farrington has a bunch of upside, and Anderson Julio as a sub brings energy late in the game.

Questions

Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job? Paxton Pomykal. He is the only real creative midfielder on the roster. He could slot in nicely as the #10.
What are some realistic expectations for 2026? Playoffs should be a goal for the club. Beyond that, maybe solidifying the transition to the five man backline and developing more identity.
What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season? Petar Musa has done more than enough to earn a move to Europe. On any other team, he would probably already have been sold.
What styles does this team match up well against? Dallas could beat up on teams that want to control play and give any space on the wing; they would be looking to get countered on.
What styles does this team match up poorly against? Teams that transition well can beat FC Dallas at their own game.
What player improves the most in 2026? Michael Collodi. He will get his turn at goal with Paes going to Ajax. However, he is a skilled keeper in his own right, and should get attention and appreciation in 2026.
Which player regresses in 2026? This depends on your definition of “regression.” Petar Musa might come down to earth on the scoresheet, not because of physical regression, but because of lack of service. He could even improve parts of his game but contribute less scoring.