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ANALYSIS: What Might North Texas’ 2020 Roster Look Like?

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 10/23/19, 5:09PM EDT

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Dallas Morning News tips moves to Major League Soccer for Rodriguez, Damus, Evans, Jatta


North Texas SC's Arturo Rodriguez claimed League One Final MVP honors on Saturday. Is a move to Major League Soccer next for the young playmaker? | Photo courtesy North Texas SC

North Texas SC’s successful first campaign wrapped up with the League One title in hand this past Saturday night, but with FC Dallas’ season also having come to an end the same day the Dallas Morning News’ Buzz Carrick has quickly shifted into offseason mode and looking ahead to 2020.

And for League One Final MVP Arturo Rodriguez, League One Golden Boot Ronaldo Damus, key center back Brecc Evans and All-League midfielder Alfusainey Jatta, the news could be good as Carrick believes all four should have a shot at a spot at a Major League Soccer squad next spring.

Rodriguez – who in addition to Saturday’s silverware is also nominated for League One’s Young Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, where the winners will be announced next week – is at the top of Carrick’s list with the playmaker’s rise throughout the season after starring for the FC Dallas Academy previously catching plenty of attention. The question for Rodriguez is whether that chance will come in Dallas – which has depth at Rodriguez’s position – or whether another side will jump in to try and sign the talented 20-year-old.

Damus – who is also nominated alongside Rodriguez for both Young Player of the Year and MVP – could have a better chance at a spot with FC Dallas’ squad with his speed and goalscoring eye a potential boon for the squad’s attack. FCD was led by another young standout in Jesus Ferreira this season, but his eight goals were part of a balanced attack that didn’t feature a standout finisher. Damus could find a place in that forward rotation while continuing to rise in the international ranks with Haiti.

Evans looks the most likely to make a move onto Dallas’ squad, according to Carrick, with his skillset at center back a position of need for the side. With Evans comfortable playing in either the left or right center back role he could become solid cover to the likes of current FCD standout Matt Hedges and look to grow into a starting role in the years to come.

Jatta, meanwhile, appears to be another candidate for a center back position with FC Dallas moving forward, although his ball-winning skills in the center of midfield saw him earn All-League honors in League One this season despite not recording a goal or assist in the campaign. Jatta would have some strong competition for regular minutes as a holding midfielder, which could mean a position change for the 6-foot-2 standout.

For more insight on what 2020 might hold for those that should still be central players in North Texas’ title defense, and those that could be moving on, read Carrick’s full story on the Dallas Morning News website.


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