Eddie Munjoma appears to be the next great defender from the FC Dallas Academy.

A lot of college football programs try to market themselves as “Quarterback U” or “DB U” to indicate they produce the best prospects at that certain position. If that were the case for Major League Soccer academies, FC Dallas would surely have a claim for “Fullback U” because they’ve been developing some of the best full-backs. FC Dallas Academy alums Reggie Cannon and Chris Richards are thriving since leaving the development ranks. Cannon has been in the mix for the USMNT since last year and Richards made a move to FC Bayern Munich last year. Next up for the FCD Academy pipeline could be senior SMU defender Eddie Munjoma.

“Chris and Reggie are both good friends of mine and watching them become successful through FC Dallas has been inspiring,” Munjoma said. When I asked what it would mean to represent FC Dallas’ first team, he explained that his goal is to play professionally and that it would be a blessing to represent FCD. “It was a place where I learned a lot as a player and person and thankfully, we were very successful in our back-to-back U16 and U18 academy national championship victories,” he added.

Like the other two star defenders before him, Munjoma has appeared in the USMNT youth system. “My experience with the U-19 MNT was one that has contributed a lot to the player I am now,” Eddie said. “It was my first time playing with the national team at any age group and I was fortunate enough to play with and against a good amount of top-level players and when you are surrounded with these types of players, your level also goes higher and it made me a better player.” When it comes to the possibility of getting a cap someday with the senior USMNT, he said, “I think anyone would be a fool to not take an opportunity to represent your country at the highest level so yes it would a great blessing for me to play with the senior team if given the chance.”

Currently, he’s helping to lead the top-five ranked Mustangs of Southern Methodist University. “I think we have a special group this year for sure. Aside from talent, we have a good amount of experience across the squad since much of the group has already played in big college games in seasons prior, so we are not naïve to knowing what it takes,” Munjoma explained. “We also have close relationships with one another off the field which I think is influential to how we understand each other on the field. We all believe we can achieve something very special this year in going for a national championship and that has been the driving force behind our consistent performances thus far.”

After tallying two goals and seven assists as a junior in 19 matches, Eddie already has six goals and five assists this season. “As usual for any player before the season, there’s always a set of things that you want to touch on depending on your position,” he said.

94' | GOOOOOALLLL! AND STILL PERFECT! Munjoma finds the back of the net and the Mustangs win! pic.twitter.com/U99AuMTvvq — SMU Men's Soccer (@SMUSoccerM) September 22, 2019

“As an outside back my priority is to help our backline not concede any goals but I also consider myself attack-minded, so I want to get forward as much as I can and contribute my offensive qualities and I try to work hard to put myself in those positions in front of goal. Particularly, since the start of the calendar year, I’ve put a lot of time into training free kicks which are where half of my goals have come from. I’m thrilled that it’s been paying off up to this point in the season and I hope to continue this trend. However, as much as I’m aware that stats are present, my primary focus is to help my team succeed the best I can.”

Not only is Munjoma a product of the FC Dallas Academy and a star at SMU, but he’s also a McKinney, Texas native. He doesn’t eat BBQ as often as most people, but his go-to BBQ spot is Rudy’s BBQ. “I personally think it’s an underrated restaurant and my go-to order generally consists of a sausage or pork loin sandwich with a side of potato salad and baked beans,” he said.

You will want to have the food ready and be tuned into the American Digital Network this Sunday when SMU takes on a top-15 ranked UCF side in American Athletic Conference action. Kickoff is set for 7 PM Central Time from SMU’s own Westcott Field.