This is one of my favorite weeks of the season when Major League Soccer teams enter into the US Open Cup. FC Dallas hosts frequent local opponent - the USOC uses regional matchups - OKC Energy FC of the USL-Championship. The Energy used to be FCD's USL affiliate and the two teams have met a couple of times in the Open Cup.

One of the more interesting aspects of this 4th Round matchup is the ability of FC Dallas to get some minutes for younger players, perhaps even players from their USL-1 side, North Texas SC.

FCD can bring in as many North Texas players as they want for the Cup, although NTXSC has a game on Wednesday as well, at Toronto FC II. North Texas SC isn't in the US Open Cup for this very reason as they are considered one organization with FC Dallas.

This is Luchi Gonzalez's first USOC game as a head coach, so we don't have any history with him to base our roster talk on. There is also a limit of 5 internationals in the 18 man game day roster, so we'll keep an eye on that. Since FCD is green card heavy it shouldn't be a problem.

OKC is in 6th place in the West of USL-C. They are a quality team. Although they are missing 4 players with international call-ups - Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica), Cordell Cato (Trinidad & Tobago), Alvin Jones (Trinidad & Tobago), and Mekeil Williams (Trinidad and Tobago) - and they play again 3 days later.

If FCD rolls out a 100% reserve/NTX side they will lose.

So it's important for FCD to start with mostly their first team and just change a couple of players. They are still missing four players in midfield themselves - Bryan Acosta (Honduras), Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador), Pablo Aranguiz (Chile), and Santiago Mosquera (injury).

FCD does have a week and a half off after the Cup game before their next MLS game, against Toronto FC on June 22nd, so there's lots of recovery time afterward.

Update 6/11: If FCD wins their USOC game against OKC, then the 5th round takes places between June 18-23, so probably the 18th or 19th, in Dallas' case.

So let's build an FCD game day XI and 7-man bench for the US Open Cup. And let's start at the top with one big, massive call-up.

FC Dallas should start Ricardo Pepi

The hype is real on this one, people.

El Tren, as we call him in these parts, has 7 goals in 6 games to lead USL-1 in scoring. At 16 years of age, Ricardo Pepi is the leading candidate for the USL-1 MVP and Young Player of the Year awards. FCD should give Jesus Ferreira the game off, bring Pepi in and start him as their 9.

And based on training this week, FC Dallas is actively considering the Pepi option.

Pepi is as big a prospect as FCD has. Blood him, see what he's got. See how close he is to MLS ready. With the open roster rules for the USOC, playing against a USL-C team, it's the perfect opportunity. If it goes wrong, sub in Ferreira or Zdenek Ondrasek.

The rest of the front line should be the normal two choices of late: Michael Barrios and Dom Badji. There's no reason to sit either player with the break afterward.

If you wanted to see Francis Atuahene or Ema Twumasi this week, then you are out of luck. Both were loaned to Austin Bold on Monday and have already departed.

In the midfield, FC Dallas will be bolstered with the return of their three US U20 internationals: Paxton Pomykal, Brandon Servania, and Edwin Cerrillo.

All three arrived back in Dallas Sunday night. Since that means two days of training heading into Wednesday to shake off the travel fatigue, I expect both Cerrillo and Servania to be involved. Pomykal worked his tail off at the World Cup - starting 4 of the US games and coming off the bench in the other - so I don't anticipate seeing him against OKC.

That leaves a midfield of Thomas Roberts, Jacori Hayes, and Cerrillo against the Energy. That's a threesome of younger players you'd potentially want to see anyway even if FCD had a 100% full roster.

I'd also like to see Servania off the bench for Hayes in the 60th minute or so if all goes well.

In the back, I'm expecting a relatively standard back four. Reggie Cannon and Matt Hedges with Reto Ziegler - who just had a couple of weeks out with injury - and John Nelson. That gives you some veteran experience in the middle and some youth outside.

And at goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, who missed this weekend with ankle trouble, should also be a no-go. No MLS = No USOC in my book. Jimmy Maurer should maintain his spot after the solid SJ game.

Ziegler is the only "international" in this lineup with all the green cards FCD has.

3rd Degree's FC Dallas predicted USOC lineup

3rd Degree's prediction for FC Dallas' starting XI on Wednesday in the US Open Cup against OKC Energy. (3rd Degree / Buzz Carrick)

FC Dallas predicted USOC bench

1. Kyle Zobeck

2.

3.

4.(international 2)

5.

6.(international 3)

7.

I did consider suggesting Arturo Rodriguez, who has a green card, should also be called up from North Texas. He too is an interesting young talent, one that can play either wing, as a 10, or an 8. At the age of 20, he might be in consideration for a midseason FCD singing.

But NTX has a game on Wednesday as well and Rodriguez is also a USL-1 MVP candidate. I already took Pepi out of their team, so, for now, I'm suggesting A-Rod stay with the Texans.

If you're wondering about FCD's 2019 SuperDraft pick Callum Montgomery. Yes, he needs playing time. In my scenario, I'm sending him to start for North Texas against Toronto FC II. Could he be on the FCD bench over Bressan? Sure. But I'd rather he get a full 90 minutes against the Canadians.

So there you have it. Pepi in. I can't wait.

North Texas SC forward Ricardo Pepi was the first player signed to the USL team in early 2019. He is pictured here in a March 30, 2019, game against Chatanooga at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Pepi scored three times in a 3-2 win. (Courtesy/FC Dallas) (Sarah Pyatt / FC Dallas)