With FC Dallas' 2019 opening day this weekend, I thought it was high time I updated the depth chart. There are a lot of starting spots that were essentially decided before camp even began and the play in the spring reinforced those. There are however four key battles that were fought and we have winners in all but one of those spots.

As we expected prior to camp, we now know for sure that FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez will play a 4-3-3 as he used that formation exclusively in the preseason. This formation includes a goalkeeper, a back four, a single pivot 6, dual 8s, two higher wingers, and a no. 9.

Let's talk battles

Dual 8s

This was the position most up for grabs when camp opened and it remains so even today. Two weeks ago Paxton Pomykal had all but locked up one of these two spots... but that's no longer the case.

Instead, new signing Bryan Acosta has played his way into a starting spot. That's not surprising really. When the club breaks their transfer record for a player they will do all they can to get said player ready. It was always going to be Acosta if he was close. And Acosta is not just close, he's ready and will only get better as he plays with this group.

Prior to the game last Wednesday against RSL, as I mentioned, it seemed Pomykal was a lock. Then against the Saints, Pomykal (paired with Brandon Servania and Acosta) struggled in the first half and Jacori Hayes (paired with Acosta and Edwin Cerrillo, with Thomas Roberts later replacing Acosta) went out and had one of the best outings all spring in the second half. Hayes wasn't having a great spring until that point - so much so I was concerned about the body mass he added - but he came alive from there on out.

Perhaps most tellingly, after the RSL game, Hayes seemed to be getting more looks paired with Acosta in Tucson training. Then in the all-important "final tune-up" last Saturday - admittedly with no Carlos Gruezo - Acosta and Hayes were paired together again. And from what I witnessed in training that seems to be continuing this week back in Dallas.

Coach Gonzalez said on Wednesday that there are battles still being decided and I think this is the main one he meant. For me, it's the only opening day battle still ongoing.

I can clearly say it's three guys for two sports - but from the patterns and my observations, it's going to be Hayes and Acosta opening day.

There's still a chance it's Pomykal and Acosta, of course, or even Pomykal and Hayes. But if I were a betting man I'd plunk a 5'er on Hayes/Acosta against New England.

Left Back

Coming out of last season this one would have been Marquinhos Pedroso all the way. But Pedroso had offseason core muscle repair surgery so he's been in recovery mode all spring. He's almost back to 100% but he's still not back to his usual form.

In the meantime, Ryan Hollingshead staked a claim to the left back position. He's stepped up play and his leadership both on and off the field. Hollingshead is still the weakest starter in terms of pure defense but the Gonzalez 4-3-3 requires a lot going forward from the outside backs and Hollingshead has that in spades. The two goals he scored in the final scrimmage is just one example.

So Hollingshead is your opening day starter at left back. Will he hold it all season? That's probably a tall ask. But he's the man for now.

No. 9

Coming into the year a high striker was perhaps need #1 for FC Dallas. So in the offseason, the club went out and got one in Zdenek "the Cobra" Ondrasek to compete with incumbent Dominique Badji.

All Badji did in response was dominate in the spring with a team-leading 6 goals. He's completely different from that year. Badji's confidence is soaring, his body language is vastly improved, he's now part of the team and the front line leader.

So this battle wasn't even close. In fact, on my depth chart 18-year-old Jesus Ferreira has outplayed Ondrasek as well.

Goalkeeper

With both Jesse Gonzalez and Jimmy Maurer having been the starter at some point last season, it seemed this was another spot with some competition. Not shockingly Jesse Gonzalez has come out of the spring as the #1. Most coaches that see Gonzalez's natural shot-stopping ability and lateral quickness will go with him. Gonzalez has noticeably improved his communication, that's long been a weakness of his.

But Coach Gonzalez's system requires the keeper to play with the feet a TON and make smart decisions in possession. Quality passing matters. So while it's Jesse Gonzalez today, this position may stay hot all year.

2019 FC Dallas Depth Chart - by 3rd Degree

Here it is, what you've been waiting for. The FC Dallas depth chart as seen by 3rd Degree.

2019 FC Dallas open day depth chart by 3rd Degree. (Buzz Carrick / 3rd Degree)

Final FC Dallas 2019 Spring Goal Tally

(unofficial)

Badji 6

Mosquera 5

Aranguiz 4

Ferreira 2

Cobra 2

Hollingshead 2

Hayes 1

Ziegler 1

Barrios 1

Montgomery 1

Hedges 1

Cerrillo 1

3rd Degree

Roberts 1