In what is now an annual tradition for FC Dallas, their new U17 side for 2019/20 is taking part in the 2019 Torneo Sub Internacional de la LIGA BBVA MX. The tournament is taking place at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento (or High Performance Center) in Mexico City from August 15th to the 24th. The final will take place at Azteca Stadium.

2019 Sub International Tournament Clubs

Cruz Azul

Guadalajara (a.k.a Chivas)

Pachuca

Club Tijuana (a.k.a. Xolos)

Atlético de Madrid

FC Dallas

Seattle Sounders

CD Universidad Católica.

FC Dallas is scheduled to play all seven of the other teams in the tournament.

About the FC Dallas U17s

The U17s are the first age bracket in the US Development Academy where two age groups are combined and are officially called U16/17. In usage, it's just commonly referred to as U17s just as the U18/19 is just U19s.

This year's FCD U17s are made up of the 2003s - who were part of the U17s last year and finished 1st in the Frontier Division - and the 2004s, who were U15s last year where they finished 4th in the Frontier Division. There aren't a lot of returning 2003s and they have already "lost" Ricardo Pepi and Dante Sealy to Homegrown contracts.

You can see the complete roster FCD has in Mexico City here.

I don't know a ton - yet - about the kids coming up from the U15s. I do pay attention and see them some, notably at the Dallas Cup when they were U14s, but I don't really dig into the Academy kids until they hit the U17 level and start to physically mature.

In short, I'm still learning about most of these kids and this roster listed on the Liga MX website is not what I expected as teams can only bring 20 players.

I'll break down the roster with what I know and try to fill in some missing pieces. I'll start in the back.

Goalkeepers

Antonio Juan Carrera (2004) is the younger brothers of FCD's standout center back Nico Carrera who moves up to the U19s and maybe North Texas SC. Antonio is highly rated and I think he's got pro potential.

William Watson (2003) is a newer goalkeeper having joined FCD earlier this year. He's from Asheville, NC. I haven't personally seen him play yet but I hear he's pretty good.

Defenders

Jonathan Gomez (2003) was a U17 last year. A 15-year-old natural left back, he's top of my list for a Homegrown or North Texas SC contract right now. He's got all the tools for the pro game and will probably play for NTX and the U19s more than the U17s this year.

Ty Reynolds (2004) is the younger brother of Bryan Reynolds. Just like Bryan, Ty was a flank wing/mid and has been converted to right back.

Philip Akem (2003) and Reece Fragle (2003) were backups with the U17s last year. Micah Kelley (2004) was a sometimes starter with the U15s.

Slade Starnes (2003) is a center back from FCD Premier 03 but used to play for Dallas Texans. Luis Medina-Ramirez (2003) is unknown, but might be a transfer from Texans. Jonathan Dadzie (2004) looks to be new player coming in from Sacremento Republic.

Who's missing?

Justin Che (2003) was usually the starter at right center back next to Nico Carrera. I expected to see him in Mexico but I believe he's injured. He's had some US Youth National Team camps.

George Medill (2004) is the other player I expected to see starting at center back. He's also had US Youth International callups. He's moving up from the U15s.

Carlos Sanchez (2005) is a player I don't know much about yet, but he played up with the U15s last season making 16 starts in 20 appearances. I'm told he's staying with the U15s.

Midfielders

Ivan Villatoro (2004) was a frequent starter for the U15s last year.

Joshua Milla (2003) was a backup player for the U17s last year and is also an FCD Premier 03 player.

Alex Alvarado (2003), Alcibiades Duran Jr (2003, his name popped a Louisanna Fire Juniors link), and Amjot Narang (2003) are unknowns.

Who's missing?

Pretty much everyone I expected.

The names I thought I would see on the midfield roster and expected to be your starters for 2019/20 are Santiago Ferreira (2004) - yes, brother of Jesus, son of David - Bartek Zabek (2004), Michael Morales (2004), and Cesar Elizalde (2004, recovering from an ACL, 3+ months still to go). All of whom have impressed me at one viewing or another.

Victor Fimbres (2004) did not return to FCD and has joined Xolos. That kind of movement happens at lot in the Academy.

Forwards

Collin Smith (2003) is a vertical type striker with a ton of pace. He was new to the FCD program as a U17 last year scoring 5 goals with 25 starts in 28 appearances. He should be taking on a big role this year and is team captain.

Eduardo Ruiz (2003) was a reserve for the U17s last year scoring 1 goal in 12 games & 4 starts.

Diago Gamez (2004) was a part-time starter - 21 games, 11 starts - for the U15s with 7 goals. 2nd highest scorer with the U15s.

Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas (2004) was a similar type line - 23 games, 16 starts, 5 goals - with the U15s.

Jose Gutierrez (2004) is from Dallas Texans. 9 goals in 24 games last season, 19 goals in 30 during 2017-18, and 14 goals in 26 games in 2016-17. That's a quality addition.

Who's missing?

Berin Droemer (2004) has been FCD's big gun #9 for this group for the last two seasons. 12 goals in 19 games last year; 17 goals in 25 games the season before. He apparently moved to Germany.

Christopher Sanchez (2005) is the bother of defender Carlos listed above. Also a 2005 (twins, I assume), Chris made 11 starts in 19 appearances scoring 1 goal while playing up an age bracket. Like his brother, I'm told he'll stay with U15s this season.

I'll keep updating as I get more info as the tournament progresses. At me, if you know anything about the new kids (@3rdDegreeNet).

FC Dallas U17s heading to the 2019 Liga MX Sub International Tournament. (Sub International Tournament. / Liga MX)

Pachuca are the defending Liga MX Sub International Tournament Champions having defeated FC Dallas in the final.