Three Players To Watch During FC Dallas Training Camp
As FC Dallas heads for Portugal to start their preseason camp in earnest, Sam looks at a trio of players who for various reasons are worth keeping an eye on.
FC Dallas' 2026 training camp has some drastic differences from 2025. Manager Eric Quill is in his second season and he's gone from learning the ropes to building upon a foundation. The specter of franchise altering transactions aren't looming, instead stability and familiarity rule the day. 2026's theme isn't rebuilding, it's fine tuning.
Even though we know the formation (the 3-4-1-2 is here to stay) and plenty of players have their roles set, not all is solidified. There are still players in camp with things to prove for one reason or another, creating intrigue ahead of the 2026 opener against Toronto at Toyota Stadium.
Let's examine the top three names demanding our attention over the next month plus.
Paxton Pomykal
The good news first: Paxton is working in full early in camp. I saw it with my own eyes Wednesday where he went through every drill in their morning session. Boots on the ground say he's in full contact, and based on current information he should be fully ready for the opener.
Even with that positive outlook, Paxton's health will be a continued storyline. It's going to take time on the grass for everyone to be convinced this health nightmare is over. A healthy Paxton is great first and foremost for the person but also for the club. Especially in a contract year, Paxton deserves the chance to define his career and future on his terms. It'd be cruel if he didn't, but cruelty has been too frequent a passenger of the Dallas talisman lately.
Taking the path that Paxton is indeed clear of injury, there's a second question worth considering: Where does he play?
In the aforementioned 3-4-1-2 formation, Paxton's traditional central midfield spot (aka 8) is absent. It's replaced by two defensive midfielders (aka 6s) and an attacking midfielder (a 10). Paxton is slightly a man without a country in theory.
That doesn't mean Paxton CAN'T play those positions. I'm confident he'd succeed at defensive midfield. At his peak powers nobody outpaces Paxton, his ground coverage and defensive tenacity are unmatched. The concerns about him at this position are twofold: utilization and congestion.
Paxton's superior cardio and coverage could be wasted playing so deep on the pitch. The team's defensive shape relies on the back seven doing a lot of defensive work, which means getting up field is a calculated gamble. If Paxton advanced up field, it could create holes in the system's defense. The position's requirements could keep Paxton restrained, which isn't his optimal deployment. If you need a refresher on what this looks like, my piece in D Magazine from 2023 about Paxton details it.
This coin's other side is Dallas' midfield depth, once a huge liability, is now an organization strength. In addition to both Paxton and Cappis, Dallas also has the following in their midfield depth chart:
- Ramiro
- Kaick
- Ran Binyamin
- Diego Garcia
That creates a log jam of six players for two spots. Garcia might not be a big factor in 2026, so at best that's five players for two spots. With Cappis' name inked in the lineup after his strong 2025, that means four midfielders are competing for one starting spot.
While Paxton has the most MLS experience of the remaining players, both Ramiro and Kaick spent time playing with Cappis in '25. Their chemistry could give them a leg up in the race to be Cappis' partner. Early reports on Binymain are that he's a cardio monster, but adjusting to MLS is a process. Either way, the competition for this spot is monstrous.
Which leads us to an interesting proposition: Paxton Pomykal, future #10?
It's not off the table.
In talking with Eric Quill earlier this off-season I asked if that was something they could explore with Paxton if the defensive midfield is full. Quill didn't shut that idea down, which leads one to think they could try it. That position is much less populated as of press time, with just Patrickson occupying the depth chart.
That could change drastically however. During his appearance on the FC Dallas Agenda podcast Wednesday, Andre Zanotta said the team is working on a DP #10 and hope to have good news "soon." It's worth noting the MLS Primary Transfer Window doesn't open until January 23rd, so even if Dallas had a deal with a contracted player he couldn't join the team at best until that date. Even then, he'd need to get his visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC) before he could do anything official with the club.
That could open the door for Paxton to re-invent himself while giving Dallas something to think about with that DP spot. Is it likely? I am skeptical, but I'm also not one to bet against Paxton. The dude is a warrior, and telling him he can't do something is probably the best way to get him to do it.
All of this makes Paxton the top storyline of FC Dallas' camp as it stands. So much of his and the club's future relies on what happens in 2026, and that begins now.
Maarten Paes
You could argue Michael Collodi should be in this place, or that maybe both should. However Collodi established himself in Paes' injury/international absence as a starting level MLS keeper. When Dallas went to the playoffs it wasn't Paes but Collodi between the posts for both games including the eventual elimination game. As 2025 ended, there was all reason to believe that the 2026 starter would be Collodi.
Fast forward to now and for the first time in forever there's an actual keeper competition in Frisco. Paes to his credit, and the front office's detriment, has never faced strong competition since arriving at Toyota Soccer Center. With respect to Jimmy Mauer, once Paes took the job in 2022 he had it for three plus seasons. Collodi's emergence finally meant someone could challenge him, push him, and hopefully help him grow through competition.
Not unlike Paxton, Paes' future in Frisco is tied to his 2026 performance. The Burn hold two club options on Indonesia's number one after 2026, meaning this is Paes' last guaranteed year in Dallas. Meanwhile rumors in Indonesia have exploded about Paes being transferred to Persib Bandung, the reigning Indonesia Super League champions and one of the country's oldest clubs. (For what it's worth I haven't heard anything about that being true as of this writing.)
Could it be possible that come February 21st Collodi wins the starting job and Paes would then want to leave? Sure. Per Wikipedia however the Indonesian window closes on February 28th, so if a Persib deal is on the table it would need to come together quickly. Coupled with the fact that Dallas does not have a defined third keeper right now, a Paes transfer feels a hard needle to thread.
All of this means Paes' preseason performances are going to be worth watching. Whether it be reclaiming his #1 job in Frisco or joining the undisputed top team in Indonesia, the intrigue around Paes will remain high all throughout camp.
Geovane Jesus
One of the most mentioned names in the off-season heading into training camp, Jesus' career has been as fraught as Paxton's. Knee surgeries have kept the Brazilian out since late 2023. That hasn't deterred Jesus, who from all reports has worked his buns off during rehab. His Instagram backs this up, as we've seen him working out and looking jacked.
from all reporting Jesus is healthy enough to participate in team activities. It's a reasonable expectation that the club will ease in someone who hasn't played a competitive game in over two years. When Jesus is ready to go, it's expected that he'll compete for the right center back job. Quill has cited his athleticism and explosiveness as something he wants to see at that position. Playing next to Osaze Urhoghide will help the U22 signing, as it does literally everyone. You, dear reader, would be a better center back if you got dropped into a game next to Urhoghide.
There's a scenario that if everything goes right Dallas' three center backs are (left to right) Nolan Norris, Urhoghide, and Jesus. I'd even be so bold as to say I think that's the preferred outcome for Quill and company. There's plenty of hurdles to clear for that to happen, and I'd expect players like Sebastien Ibeagha and Shaq Moore to take up RCB as Jesus finds his way back into things.
Should the endgame presented above come to pass, Dallas' defense will go from aging and uncertain to young and stable. With two promising alongside a Best XI caliber player, the Burn could be a brick wall to opposing scorers. So much of that will rest on the knee of the young Brazilian to help make that a reality.