What Leagues Cup Taught Us About FC Dallas

Despite not advancing in the 2026 Leagues Cup, FC Dallas need not feel shame about their performance across three games. With two wins, including one against Mexican giant Chivas in enemy territory, Dallas managed to exceed pre-tournament expectations with their results.

With MLS play resuming in Texas' capital city on Sunday Night Soccer, there's a few lessons the Burn and their supporters can take into Q2 Stadium against their in-state rival.

Eric Quill Has Proof Of Concept

Judging coaches in MLS is more art than science. Consider former FCD manager Nico Estevez: he logged three full seasons as a manager across two franchises, made the playoffs in all three, yet is regarded as a bad head coach. On just those facts it feels an odd claim, but we all have eyes. His teams underperformed in all but one season across Dallas and Austin, which is why he's returned to a top assistant role in Chicago under long time mentor Gregg Berhalter.

Despite a strong second half last season and a surprising pre World Cup performance this year, Quill's status as coach felt positive but not absolute. There was plenty to like, but at least in this writer's opinion he wasn't yet locked in as THE guy yet.

This trio of games has me convinced: Eric Quill is the right man for the FC Dallas job now and the immediate future.

It's not just about the results, which are playoff caliber. It's about seeing the team's growth on and off pitch. Since Quill arrived Nolan Norris has gone from fringe player coaches were split on to top half MLS center back. Bernie Kamungo went from unplayable and position-less to starting wingback for a playoff team. Michael Collodi went from fringe MLS player to starter to now reliable MLS player. Logan Farrington continues to grow and improve, Kaick has shown new abilities and greater consistency, and the list goes on and on.

MLS is a league where player development is paramount to success. Most teams don't spend big bucks, and even the ones that do must surround those high priced stars with low cost gems. Dallas specifically is a long time development minded club, and Quill's taken on that mantra with great enthusiasm. Not since Oscar Pareja prowled the touchline have we seen a Dallas manager produce improvement in his players like Quill has so far. If this trend continues, the future of Dallas both on pitch and in the transfer market is secure.

As big a bullet point as that is, seeing how the group is meshing as a unit is even bigger. Go look at how the team celebrated after the three goals scored versus Queretaro and Chivas. Look at their reactions after the match, the energy and vibes are immaculate. Quill has cultivated a healthy team atmosphere where guys fight for every blade of grass, who play for each other, and go into every match ready to scrap for points. This fight for the badge mentality is what Quill promised when he was hired, and he's delivering.

The day may come where this ceases to be the case because MLS constantly shifts, with what works today often not working tomorrow. In the Toros' specific situation however, Quill is the right man for the job and this Leagues Cup run proves it.

Logan Farrington Needs A Defined Role

I mentioned Farrington above as one of the players Quill has helped grow and improve. This season he's got seven goals and a pair of assists across all competition, with the goals a new career high and just two goal contributions away from matching his single season best. The arrow on Farrington is undoubtably pointing up.

That makes the next stage of his development crucial: deciding what he's going to be long term. Farrington's jack of all trades role has served the team well since he arrived; being able to deputize for Petar Musa both together and in place of gives Dallas the best 1-2 striker punch in MLS. That's valuable, but it doesn't best serve the player.

If the club wants him to be just Musa's replacement, then commit. Bring him off the bench and train him to be a traditional big body nine. Work on his hold up play, his positioning, and his ability to drop in to help progress the attack. Basically make him as close to a Musa clone as he can get while understanding that Musa is a one of one.

Otherwise train him to be a true secondary striker, where his goal is to help set up Musa as they play together. Work on his passing, his vision, and his poaching for him to score while Musa occupies the primary defenders. If you do that well enough you might be able to mitigate the need for a true #10, because Farrington can do enough of that for you.

Regardless of what Dallas selects, they need to pick a path and walk it. It'll help Farrington grow into his final form, and it'll help Dallas' roster construction by giving them clarity on his skills. The more you know, the further you'll go.

This Dallas Squad Should Be Invested In, Especially In Midfield

Dallas resumes MLS play sitting in 6th in the Western Conference, five points out of home field advantage in the West. Their recent form has shown the front office that they deserve upgrades via the still open summer transfer window. Specifically: Dallas should improve the midfield as best they can.

It's not gone unknown to Andre Zanotta and company that the midfield needs buttressing. Through the grapevine I've heard that Dallas had offers out to not one but two midfielders who played at the 2026 World Cup that were ultimately declined. The ambition is there, but they've yet to cross the finish line.

That shouldn't deter the Burn's brain trust, who should be working the phones in every way possible to find Dallas' next great midfielder. Whether it's a high level defensive midfielder, a game breaking central mid, or the long sought after string pulling attacking mid, Dallas should prioritize a high-end signing in midfield before the window closes.

A suggestion of a reasonable Dallas target: Porto's Stephen Eustaquio, who spent time on loan recently with LAFC. His contract in Portugal expires next June, and there's rumors Greek side Olympiacos wants to bring the Canadian international to the Athens suburb of Piraeus. Dallas should be able to compete with them on a transfer fee, and with Eustaquio's MLS experience his adaptation period should be minimal if any upon re-arrival to the States.

Whoever it is, I plead to the Dallas front office: Find that high quality midfielder and lock them down. This squad deserves the help, and improving their quality will reward the investment with more points and playoff success. At minimum it'll show the rest of the players that this front office believes in them, and that's just as important as anything else.