Episode 17: How FC Dallas Has Created the Most Homegrown Players in MLS with Phil Gomez, FC Dallas U12 Academy Head Coach

The Rupeeball Show hosted by Yogi Maurya

In this episode, we interview my former college teammate Phil Gomez, currently FC Dallas U12 Academy Coach, U11/U12 Coordinator and U17 Assistant Coach. Phil Gomez is a member of the FC Dallas Academy Coaching staff. In 2019, FC Dallas was recognised as the MLS Academy of the Year.

"When it comes to player production, FC Dallas has been an undisputed leader in the United States. Over the past 15 years, FC Dallas Youth has produced more than 1,500 athletes to college programs, while signing 28 players to home grown, professional contracts since 2009, the most in Major League Soccer. Twelve current first-team rostered players were developed in the FC Dallas Academy, also highest in MLS. In the past 12 months, alone, FC Dallas has had 38 male players participate in US National Team camps and competitions from the U14 category through the Full Men’s National Team." [https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2020/05/05/fc-dallas-join-ecnl-boys-2020-2021-season]

Phil Gomez was an NCAA Division 1 College Soccer Player at Columbia University where he majored in Engineering. Phil represented the Puerto Rican National team for over 10 years (for whom he was eligible through his Mother) including caps in 1 World Cup Qualifier and 5 Gold Cup Qualifiers. Phil also played in the USISL Westchester Flames/Brooklyn Knights.

Tune in to hear why Phil believes the FC Dallas Academy is successful, the details of what training is like everyday at the academy, how they believe they can improve, and get an understanding of his personal journey into coaching, and the values that have led to his opportunities and success.