With the news that FC Dallas is finally bringing in a USL team, subsequently identified as a USL III team, I thought it might be worth discussing who FC Dallas might target to sign from their Academy as MLS homegrowns or to the USL.

Now I'm very aware there are a LOT of names here on this list. But we are talking about stocking an entire USL III team. The U19s alone may provide a handful of players for that process. But I'm also listing here players that might be signed as homegrowns or USL players over the next two or three seasons.

As you read this, you may also wonder why I'm talking about more U17s than U19s. That's because the current U19 class had already had multiple signings thin its ranks. Chris Richards was just signed to a homegrown deal and will join FCD's senior roster when then Developmental Academy ends in July. (The 2018 Academy Championships are July 8-11, 2018. With the boys U19 final on July 10th.) Jesus Ferreira, Bryan Reynolds, Paxton Pomykal, and Brandon Servania are already homegrowns and are all still DA U19 eligible.

Current Homegrown Targets

Based on developmental academy play and Dallas Cup games, as well as senior team training participation, these are the players I would like to see FC Dallas signs as homegrowns right now.

I expect only one, the first one, to be added to the roster this season. The next four may

sign this year, maybe even very soon, but if they do it will be for next year's MLS roster.

The Senior

Chris Cappis - A 6 foot 1 inch, box to box type player who can play defense, score goals, has terrific vision, good feet, and is a really strong passer. He controls and dictates games. If you want an old school FC Dallas reference think Chad Deering. I've predicted Cappis would be signed homegrown since late last year. He can't be signed until after the DA season ends but he will be activated, I'm confident in predicting, along with Chris Richards.

Two Underclassmen U19s

Chris Richards (left) and Thomas Roberts (right) preparing to play with Bayern Munich in a youth friendly. (Chris Richards)

Edwin Cerrillo

- 17 years old (18 later this year), 5 foot 9. Cerrillo is a dominant holding mid. I've seen him play as a linking

attacking mid, but his grit and resilience combined with outstanding defensive game reading make him an awesome 6. Above average passer and dribbler compared to his contemporaries.

Thomas Roberts - Roberts just turned 17 and has been the #10 attacking mid playmaker for the U19s all year. He could have led the U17s but credit to FCD for pushing his development by starting him in such a vital role for the 19s. He just got back from a training stint with Bayern Munich (see pic on the right). Roberts is a phenomenal talent and needs to be signed ASAP even if he won't be rostered until next year.

Two Players from the U17s.

Beni Redzic on the ball for FC Dallas against AS Monaco in the 2018 Generation adidas Cup opening match. (3-23-18) (Carter Baum / FC Dallas)

Beni Redzic - Redzic is a special player, a difference maker but not a #10. For the U17s he plays mostly as a wing forward. He makes things happen and creates chaos in the opposition back line. Currently 5'5" but he's only 15 (turns 16 in August) so that's not a worry. He's already been in a US U17 camp for the next cycle. He's scored 15 goals in just 18 games for the 17s so far this year.

Dante Sealy - The son of former FC Dallas striker Scott Sealy, Dante is a U15 by age (just turned 15 in April) but plays up with the U17s. He's scored 9 goals in 15 games (12 starts) with the 17s this season. He's already been in US U16 and U17 camps. He's really young and signing an '03 now is pushing it, but with his pedigree and the way he's already showing potential against much older players, he's worth the risk.

I Need to See More

Next are the players that may have a pro future, but I'm not ready to say should be signed as homegrowns yet.

These are the players that could see some time in college ball and then get picked up, or maybe they could be the "signed for USL" types like Carlos Avilez already is. Perhaps they could be signed straight to the USL side to see how they develop in the future, that is partially what this USL side is for after all. Or maybe with a season or two of progression the youngest of these kids might be homegrown targets of the next few seasons.

Two Seniors

Brayan Padilla of FC Dallas (right, shooting) playing in the 2018 Dallas Cup against Red Bull Brasil. (Doug Fejer / Dallas Cup)

Brayan Padilla - A forward or attacking mid, Padilla was the 2017 US Soccer DA Co-Central Conference Player of the Year (along with Cappis). Padilla has been really banged up this year and missed quite a bit of time. He's notched 8 goals in 14 games, but only 7 starts. He's heading to the University of Maryland for college ball. Padilla needs to get healthy, get a run of games, and we'll see what happens.

Holland Rula - Rula is the starting left back for the U19s and is headed to Wake Forest. I've also seen him play left mid, where I liked him, and center back, which I didn't think much of. On the wing, he reminds me in style of a Mark Santel. If his game progresses he will be worth keeping a watch on.

Two Underclassmen 19s

Gibran Rayo - Another 16 year old who plays with the 19s. He's a small and quick attacking wing. Great range, great motor. He's been in senior training a bit this spring. He drives his crosses rather than floating them, which I love. Still some rawness here, but I see the potential.

Jorge Almaguer playing for FC Dallas in the 2018 Dallas Cup (Doug Fejer / Dallas Cup)

Imanol "Jorge" Almaguer - The U19s starting right back, he's already pretty good at getting forward with 4 goals this season. He's 17 but is a little on the small side at 5'7" and 130 lbs. A good defender, he has the tools, he just needs to mature physically.

The '99s

Almost any of the current crop of U19s that are seeing substantial playing time may fall into the final category of straight up USL III signings for FC Dallas if they pass on playing college ball.

These will be the guys who could fill out the roster and perhaps develop with time. Here are a few names that might fight this category from their last year with the Academy: Brecc Evans, Rolando Damus, Emmanuel Paga, Seidi Oukpedjo, and Daniel Evans.

Thomas Roberts (left) and Brayan Padilla (center) celebrate with Rolando Damus (right) after he scored against Red Bull Brasil in the 2018 Dallas Cup (Billy Johnston / Dallas Cup)

Six Players in the U17s

Perhaps these are homegrowns down the line? I will watch closely, but realistically these kids are all at least a year, maybe two or more, away from being potential targets.

Johan Gomez - 16 years old. Despite being listed on the U19 roster on FCD's site he plays with the 17s in the DA. He's fast and has scored bags of goals for the 17s (18 goals in 19 games). There was a lot of buzz about him after the GA Cup. He has a knack for goals but is a very direct player. Will he have enough when he gets to the level where everyone is fast?

FCD Academy U17s face off against AS Monaco in the 2018 Generation adidas Cup. Left to right: Luis Cruz, Tanner Tessman, Beni Redzic (half hidden), and Cesar Garcia. (3-23-18) (Carter Baum / FC Dallas)

Tanner Tessmann - At 16 he's already 6'1" and has a nice set of skills for a big man. Plays as a two-way linking mid. I've seen him dominate a game like he did vs AS Monaco in the GA Cup, and I've seen him disappear too. I have high hopes for more of the former as he matures.

Julian Hinojosa - Left back. He's actually listed in the U19 roster on FCD's site but plays with the U17s. 21 starts in 23 games this season. He got some time with the senior side this offseason (when he had just turned 17) and didn't look out of place. He's been in some U16 US camps.

Seth Wilson - A goalkeeper I've already seen training with the FCD senior side. 16 years old and already 6'3" 180 lbs, he's got the body and skills for a pro career. Keepers mature later than field players, so he would be one for a few more years down the line probably.

Luis Hernandez - The pure destroyer holding mid for the Academy U17s, Hernadez was called into US U18 camp late last year along with Thomas Roberts. The skill that separates him from most holding mids is the ability to win the ball, keep it, then find and distribute to his teammates.

Ricardo Pepi - He's only 14 and won't be 15 till August, but Pepi is already playing with the U17s and is already 6'1". A two-way midfielder that has been in national team camps for both the US and Mexico. I haven't personally been able to see him play yet for more than 30 seconds, but multiple people have mentioned him to me as a big-time talent to watch so I am including him here.

If you didn't see your favorite U17 in here, don't worry. It's up to four years till some of the players will be up for the college/USL/homegrown decision.

Below the U17s

Let's be honest, anyone younger than this is absurd to start talking about signing, so I'm not even going to mention any names. Heck, a few I mentioned might be absurd.

There are boatloads of players to watch over the next decade and beyond in the FCD Academy already. Some will have pro careers, a few maybe even become stars, but just as many will fail to progress and you won't hear of them at all.

A Few Players Who Might Return?

Just for grins, I'm gonna tack this on at the end. Might we see some ex-homegrowns who already play in the USL come back for a chance to play for their hometown team? How about Aaron Guillen and Coy Craft? He's not a homegrown, but maybe Walker Hume might return? Someone needs to help fill up a USL III roster.

SuperDraft picks that FCD liked but didn't sign perhaps; players like Chris Lema, Amer Sasivarevic, and Noah Franke? Maybe last year's 3rd keeper "Pollo" Cortes?

I bet Ruben Luna would answer the phone if Pareja were to call. If FCD was in the market for a hard-working veteran leader that is. Ok, maybe not.

This going to be fun.