Thanks to the tremendous success of their academy in producing local talent, FC Dallas are the most Texan team in all men’s professional sports in the United States.
FCD’s nine first-team players raised in Texas are more than any other team in the state, and all of North America, for that matter.
Lone Star pride will be on the line this weekend when Dallas visit their rivals the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday for this year's first installment of the Texas Derby (4 pm ET | Univision, Twitter — Full TV & streaming info).
All nine Texans on the FC Dallas roster hail from the club’s academy, and were signed to Homegrown Player contracts to begin their careers, including five who are regular starters. Currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference, Dallas have notably relied on their young academy products this season, thanks in large part to 18-year-old forward Jesus Ferreira (three goals, two assists) and 19-year-old midfielder Paxton Pomykal (two goals, one assist).
Other Texas-raised academy products regularly in the starting lineup for FCD in 2019 include 23-year-old goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, defender Reggie Cannon, 20, and midfielder Edwin Cerrillo, 18.
The Dynamo boast their own Homegrown Texan in midfielder Memo Rodriguez, 23, who is tied for the team lead with four goals scored this season.
Most Texans among men’s professional sports teams in Texas
Team |
Texas-born players |
% of roster |
|---|---|---|
FC Dallas (MLS) |
9 |
30% |
Texas Rangers (MLB) |
3 |
12% |
Houston Rockets (NBA) |
2 |
11.76% |
Houston Dynamo (MLS) |
3 |
11.54% |
Dallas Cowboys (NFL) |
6 |
11.32% |
Houston Astros (MLB) |
2 |
8% |
Dallas Mavericks (NBA) |
1 |
5.88% |
San Antonio Spurs (NBA) |
1 |
5.88% |
Houston Texans (NFL) |
3 |
5.66% |
Dallas Stars (NHL) |
0 |
0% |
