We are back for another round of the FC Dallas Panic Index!
Our last look was back in June, before the World Cup. FC Dallas has made a few moves since then, which will be reflected in the discussion below. A couple of players who were at the bottom of the Index have made their way out of the roster (we’re looking at Enes Sali, Tsiki Ntsabeleng and Deedson).
Same rules apply as our first installments. Four tiers. An honest assessment of each first-team player.
Let’s get into it.
Low/None: There is little to no panic about this group. They’re performing at the level that we expect them to this season.
A Slow Simmer: The panic meter is starting to move a little bit, but not by a ton. Let’s just say we’re keeping an eye on this group for movement one way or the other.
Getting Warmer: The burners are clearly on with this group, something isn’t quite right at the moment.
It’s Hot In Here: The heat fully on with this group. Maybe it is an injury or maybe it is poor form, either way, something is off here.
Panic Level: Low/None
September Index: Petar Musa, Logan Farrington, Shaq Moore, Osaze Urhoghide, Kaick, Nolan Norris, Joaquin Valiente
Notes: If you are looking for the core group of players on the roster, it is right here. If I have any worries about this bunch, it comes down to their ability to not pick up an injury that keeps them out longer than a game.
- Petar Musa - In contention for the Golden Boot and still earning national team call ups from Croatia, what more could you ask for from Musa? The better FCD finishes this season, the more potential MVP votes he may end up with when it is all said and done.
- Logan Farrington - At some point, it is going to be expensive to hold on to Farrington. I have to think some other club in MLS is eventually going to offer Dallas a large cash transfer offer for Farrington that is going to make it tough to keep him here. Still, for this season, the Big Dawg has been very good. He’s got nine goals, one shy of what he says was his 2026 goal of double-digit goals.
- Shaq Moore - Arguably the most consistent defender the club has had in maybe a decade. Yeah, Moore has been on a different level this season and we’re not praising him enough.
- Osaze Urhoghide - I still am waiting for him to truly make that leap to MLS Best XI quality, but he’s nearly there. If he can stay out of yellow card trouble, it will go a long way.
- Kaick - Like Farrington, I think at some point another team is going to offer a lot of money for Kaick that will make Dallas jump on the move. Unlike Farrington, I think that offer will come from Mexico or somewhere in Europe. He needs to be the U22-type player FCD goes after from here on out.
- Nolan Norris - As he continues to earn more starts, we’re seeing the makings of our next great center back in MLS.
- Joaquin Valiente - I know we all complained that he wasn’t a DP addition, but after seeing him rack up 12 assists (the most for a single FCD player since Michael Barrios in 2019), I think he may be the best new addition to the roster this year.
Previous Index: Petar Musa, Logan Farrington, Shaq Moore, Osaze Urhoghide, Kaick, Nolan Norris