North Texas SC, the new USL-1 team being run by FC Dallas, played their first ever scrimmage against an opponent on Wednesday versus Swope Park Rangers, the USL-Championship feeder club of Sporting Kansas City. We've seen some NTXSC players and trialists in FC Dallas scrimmages and training, but this was the first full North Texas SC scrimmage.

While the results aren't important in this kind of preseason game, it was still a disappointment for the approximately 50 fans looking on as the hometown side dropped the 2-1 result. North Texas coach Eric Quill acknowledged he would have liked to have won, but stressed the game was more about getting looks at all the trialists and the players in his squad.

Let's break it down.

Tactics and Shape

In the first half, North Texas played a 4-3-3 just like the FC Dallas first team does including a "single-pivot" deep 6.

North Texas starting XI vs Swope Park Rangers. (2-13-19) (Buzz Carrick / 3rd Degree)

The NTXSC social media account drew it up as having two holding mids but the way Edwin Cerrillo played was as an 8. Arturo Rodriguez was playing a little higher and 10 like rather than as a dual 8 as FC Dallas now does under Gonzalez.

Swope Park played in a 4-3-3 as well. I don't have much to offer about them, as both teams were wearing blank training shirts. I was able to cobble together an NTX lineup and subs with the help of NTX's social posts and what I witnessed. I only know about half these guys by sight.

Quill made five changes to his team at half time bringing on Hector Montalvo at CB, Charles Renken at RB, Pollo Cortez in goal, Lucio Martinez and Anthony Bardon in central midfield. Unfortunately for Cortes he was injured about 1 minute into the 2nd half on a Swope Park goal and had to leave the game, so Carlos Avilez came back on in goal.

After another 10 minutes of play, FCD Academy star Dante Sealy subbed on at right wing with Mohamed Seasay shifting to right back and Renken to left back.

Then for the last 30 minutes of the game, Quill made five more changes giving North Texas a complete 10 field players changed: David Rodriguez, Cesar Murillo, Anthony Powell, Jose Olaya, and Alex Radilla.

The North Texas SC XI over the last 30 minutes against Swope Park Rangers. (2-13-19) (Buzz Carrick / 3rd Degree)

This second half NTXSC played more as the formation was drawn up on their social media with two holding mids (4-2-3-1). Not surprisingly they were a lot less effective going forward. Of course, there was also a 20 mph wind all game that North Texas was playing into during the 2nd half that I'm sure was a big factor.

Notes and Observations

The loan goal for North Texas SC squeaks past the Swope Park Ranger keeper. (2-13-19) (David Rachuig / 3rd Degree)

16-year-old Ricardo Pepi, who is signed to North Texas, scored the opening goal about 5 minutes into - the game. Making this the first goal (albeit in a scrimmage) scored in NTX history. Pepi hardly looks 16 given his size, range, and positional understanding. Massive upside here and as pure a 9 as you will find.

In addition to Pepi, there were two more Academy kids on the field late. Dante Sealy is a 15-year-old forward for the U19 side. He's got 10 goals in 12 games this year mostly as a winger. And David Rodriguez , the younger brother of NTX signing Arturo, is the playmaker of the U17s, he's got 10 goals in 13 games. Both are young players I've talked about as potential NTXSC or FCD Homegrown signings.





David Rodriguez may have had the best day of all, according to NTX coach Eric Quill who talks about him in the second half of this sound bite.

Side note: Although they had class at the time of this scrimmage, there are some other Academy kids who have training with NTX a bunch this week. Both striker Johan Gomez (U19, 12 goals, 13 games) and his younger brother Jonathan (U17 CB); Diego Letaf, the smooth U17 hold mid who recently had a Mexico U17 call up; Kevin Bonilla, an outstanding outside back with the U19s; and Nico Carrera (U17s CB) who is close to US citizenship and a potential US U17 call up.

Edwin Cerrillo looked really strong, box to box, sideline to sideline. Really impressive. He's probably heading to FC Dallas on a Homegrown.





Cerrillo, Bryan Reynolds , and Callum Montgomery were all sent to play with NTX by FCD head coach Luchi Gonzalez in order to get more PT. That's effectively how this relationship will work this season. If Gonzalez needs PT for someone they will come play for NTX and Quill will adapt his lineup around them.





One player of local interest playing for Swope Park Rangers was Camden Riley from Flower Mound. Good communicator, solid defender, started at center back. He played soccer at Pacific and was drafted in the 2 nd round of the MLS SuperDraft. His bright red hair was hard to miss.





Mohamed Seasy , aka Mo-Ha, is, so far, the find of the spring for North Texas, and maybe FC Dallas, looked good again. He completely skinned a double team at one point that tried to pin him against the sideline. He needs to work on turning all the chaos he creates into actual goals and assists, but he's fun as heck to watch.





Left-back Angel Enrique Elvira Paita , the owner of the longest name I can recall, was interesting at left back. He's got a really smooth, cultured left foot and knows how to play. He's maybe a little short in pace or he would really be something.





On loan from MFK Vyskov, Alfusainey Jatta is really tall, well over 6 feet. He's quite rangy and lanky. So lanky his feet occasionally get caught under him, he had a couple really rough turnovers early but settled down. At 19 he could still grow into his body, so he's for sure a project.





No sign of Ronaldo Damus (FCD Academy, Haitian U20), Abdoul Gaffer Ibrahim , the other player on loan from MFK Vyskov, or Bicou Bissainthe (another Haitian U20)





I continue to have some positive vibes about NTX Rayados holding-mid Lucio Martinez . He's a good organizer and controls the middle fairly well. That's a position FCD is stacked at but the kid can play a bit.





Cesar Murillo, out of the College of Charleston, also made a good first impression on me today with communication. He helped get the team straightened out in the last 30 minutes after he came in. That's something NTX needed at that point too.

A Couple of FC Dallas Items

I ran into Francis Atuahene and he's staying positive and upbeat, at least he's trying to. The club has him rehabbing already. This kid just can't catch a break on the injury front.





I spoke to Mauro Cichero , who I think will end up with North Texas, and it was indeed some scar tissue that broke loose in the last training session that I watched. The FCD trainers say he's on track in his recovery, right where he should be. That's good news.





Kris Reaves has left FC Dallas camp. I understand FCD wanted him to sign with North Texas but he wants to give it a shot at a higher level and try some other opportunities.





FCD late round 2019 draft picks Eduvie Ikoba and Sam Ebstein have also left FCD camp. Presumably to try other opportunities as well.





I had time to watch about 30 minutes of FC Dallas training. It was my first sighting of Bryan Acosta. He's clearly in "just arrived" mode, trying to pick up all the system and shapes.

That's all for today. Our Tucson, Arizona spring FCD camp coverage/road trip begins tomorrow.