FRISCO - It’s been 50 days since North Texas Soccer Club revealed its name, crest, general manager and first player signing. In those 50 days, the club has been hard at work adding to its front office, coaching staff and roster. With the announcement of former Dallas Burn player Eric Quill as head coach, and preseason beginning on Feb. 4, the club is beginning to take shape.

So far, North Texas SC has three signed players from the academy of its MLS affiliate FC Dallas—Ricardo Pepi, Ronaldo Damus and Brecc Evans (who last year played at the collegiate level with Cal Poly). It also signed a player from overseas in Alfusainey Jatta on loan from MFK Vyskov, and has more player announcements coming soon. However, the club has also offered a chance for local players to earn a spot on the roster before the season opener on March 30 at Toyota Stadium.

Last weekend, North Texas SC held two-day open tryouts at MoneyGram Soccer Park in Dallas. To attend, players between the ages of 18 and 27 were asked to complete an online application as spots were limited—and they filled up fast.

Players from all backgrounds including former MLS, USL, collegiate and international players, 120 in total, attended the tryout to showcase their skills in hopes of impressing the coaches and earning a call-back. Of the original 120 contenders, nine were called back and offered the opportunity to join North Texas’ preseason starting Feb. 4. These talented nine have a chance to prove to head coach Eric Quill that they are deserving of a roster spot on North Texas SC and can compete in United Soccer League’s newest division, League One.

The nine players invited to the club’s preseason (who come with differing levels of soccer pedigree) will all be playing with the prospect of forging a career as a professional player. The competition is tough and professional contracts are on the line—this is their chance to prove they have what it takes.