When you produce talent at the level the FC Dallas Academy does, one problem you face is the inability to keep all the talent. FCD can realistically sign one or two Homegrowns a year and the current crop of U19s has six or more pro prospects in it. One of those prospects is 6’2″ 18-year-old center back Nico Carrera.
Carrera had previously committed to play college soccer at Louisville but has instead signed with Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga 2. He is eligible for both the US and Mexico but chose to represent the US in the U17 World Cup last year.
Carrera had offers from North Texas Soccer Club (the development affiliate of FC Dallas), Santos Laguna, Pachuca, Tigres, and Pumas but has spurned those offers for a club where his advisors see a pathway to the first team and a possession-based style.
Carrera will likely begin playing with the Holstein Kiel U19s in the U19 Bundesliga 1.
3rd Degree’s take: Carrera is a bit raw at this time, but has lots of upside with his pro-ready physique. A very aggressive defender who likes to pass and get forward; Carrera has the tools for the modern game he just needs experiences, wisdom, and polishing to break through as a pro. High-level U23 or reserve team play should see him ready for the first team in a couple of seasons. Moving to a club that will invest game time in him is a good choice.
This is the first of several Academy U19s FCD may lose out on this season as they have thus far been unable to convince most of them to sign with North Texas SC. Seth Wilson has been linked to both Austria Wien and Real Betis, Kevin Bonilla is heading to the University of Portland, Jonathan Gomez signed with Louisville City, Diego Letayf transferred to Tigres, and Cesar Reyes Garcia is heading to SMU.
Would FC Dallas receive a solidarity payment bc of his move now that MLS is enforcing them?
I’m sure they will seek one. We’ll see if they get it.
I feel like this has been brought up before, but I feel like we are extremely close to being able to field a “Team McKennie” best XI (aka Academy players who went on to great things without playing a second for the senior team) and a “Team Pomykal” best XI (aka Homegrown signings who actually made a roster). I could see Chris Richards being in either spot, but tend to think of him as a Team McKennie player.
They aren’t all misses because a couple are from before there was a Homegrown system… but here you go…
https://3rddegree.net/fc-dallas-history/all-time-fc-dallas-academy-product-best-xi