Some preseason thoughts post Portugal residency

By the time you're reading this, FC Dallas will be close to returning home after two weeks in Algarve, Portugal. They'll play another Atlantic Cup game against Real Salt Lake before boarding the big bird west. Once they return, it's a few more preseason matchups against US based foes before the big day on February 21st.

While there's still time to learn more about this squad ahead of Toronto's arrival in late February, the club's Portuguese residency did show important developments in Eric Quill's second year as manager.

Let's talk about it.

The wingback situation for Dallas is stronger than ever

In the waning days of Nico Estévez' administration in 2024 he spoke to the radio team ahead of what would be his final game, a road draw against a Minnesota squad decimated by international duty. In that conversation Nico talked about the shift to wing backs during that season, saying it was less a stylistic choice and more out of necessity. Despite that, he also mentioned how he didn't really have wing backs on the roster. For the attentive, this was the preseason where Bernard Kamungo struggled at converting to wing back while Herbert Endeley excelled before being demoted out of the starting lineup after Opening Night.

Fast forward from early June 2024 to late January 2026 and the roster is full of viable wing back options.

It's expected that Kamungo will take up the left side and new signing Herman Johansson the right at season's beginning. If they don't for whatever reason, Quill has depth upon which to fall back. On the left side Homegrown Josh Torquato earned his way onto the senior roster last season, while 2026 #2 overall pick Ricky Louis has deputized at that spot also.

Meanwhile on the right hand side Shaq Moore can play both center and wing back when called upon. Ramiro also played the position with surprising competency in 2025. In Dallas' 5-2 over Brondby, even last season's starlet Sam Sarver played the second half at right wing back.

It's not just the players however, it's the tactics they're employing. In the two games to date we've seen the Burn's wingbacks get more aggressive, sending in crosses and inverting to put numbers in the box. The newfound aggression and complexion shows the roster feeling more comfortable with their instructions.

2025 was about foundation for the wing back spot. The players who took their turns at the wheel balanced offensive firepower with defensive solidarity, often choosing the latter when pressed. That led to Dallas' rock hard defense down the stretch, but limited the ability to create chances out wide.

2026 appears to be the year where that next step will be taken, and while it does Dallas will have plenty of people to walk that path.

This might be the year of Logan Farrington

Last week I debuted the Breakout Index, talking about young players who are on the cusp of making their star turn. Based on his preseason performances, Farrington could achieve his next level of stardom this season.

The Big Dog has 17 goal contributions in 61 MLS regular season games to date. Every year we've seen him adapt to the professional game, adding more tools to his chest. Last year his chemistry with Petar Musa created a two man game that caused living nightmares for opposing center backs. They became one of the league's best strike duos, even as Musa bagged most of the goals.

2026 is shaping up to be the year Farrington ramps up the scoresheet damage, especially if Dallas signs the Designated Player #10 they desire. It wouldn't shock me at all if Farrington and Musa both have double digit goals this campaign. Some of that is from what we talked about above, the increased presence and width of the wing backs. The rest is maturity and growth on Farrington's part, as the game slows down and he ramps up.

Opposition quality aside, Dallas' high scoring output is encouraging

I'm not going to try and convince anyone that Portimonense and the U19s of Brondby are stiff competition. Even so, they're still professional players who want to do their best against a high quality opponent in Dallas. They've got incentive to play their best, be it to impress their current bosses or inspire a future transfer.

Even so Dallas scored nine total goals across both games, most of them coming in the second halves. Regardless of when and how the Toros scoring in bunches is something to celebrate. For a team last year built on defense, putting on a show in front of goal is important. Scoring and winning are both learned abilities, and learning to do it before the season is better than doing so in-season.

It's a trend worth monitoring as the Burn return home for their final preseason tune ups.

It's Michael Collodi's team now

With the impeding transfer of Maarten Paes to Ajax, it leaves Collodi as the only senior keeper on Dallas' roster. While its expected that a second keeper will emerge in time, be it internal or external, the focus is now on the 24 year Homegrown between the posts.

There's every reason to believe this will be a smooth transition. His 12 starts last year saw 14 goals allowed, two clean sheets, and three games with more than one goal allowed. Put another way: Collodi has just as many five plus save games as he did multi goal games. His shot stopping isn't in dispute, and his feet are an asset that can help unlock the attack in different dimensions.

What will be curious to watch as 2026 unfolds is how the team continually adapts to Collodi. Like all keepers his leadership and organization will be crucial, almost as much as his physical talents. His first full season as the number one will show us Collodi's overall ceiling.

Even though it feels a safe bet that Collodi will continue to shine, there is an inherent gamble in this decision. Paes had triple digit starts with Dallas and was a known commodity. If for whatever reason Collodi doesn't replicate his 2025 performance, there will be people second guessing this decision. Not for any fault of his, just due to circumstance.

Dallas essentially replaced one storyline with another. How it turns out could be a substantial determining factor in this campaign's outcome.