If North Texas SC were hoping to ease into the 2026 season, the schedule and their results had other ideas. Four matches in, the club has managed just one win, with back-to-back losses against in-state rivals Austin and Houston. Not exactly the kind of statement you’d hope the club could make in the opening month of play.
It hasn’t been all doom and gloom for the MLS NEXT Pro side. Early signs point to a team that is still trying to find its footing on both ends of the field. Let’s discuss the first month of play, who has stood out, and some players we should be concerned about after the first four games.
March Game Recap
Real Monarch (Draw, Shootout Loss)
NTSC opened the season with a draw on the road against Real Monarchs, but couldn’t grab the extra point in the shootout. The club showed some attacking promise but lacked the sharpness needed to put the game away in regulation. A decent start that still ends with an “L” in the column where it matters.
Colorado Rapids 2 (3-1 Win)
The lone bright spot in the month came in the only home game of the month, against the Colorado Rapids 2. Edu Nys came alive in this one, with his hat-trick performance to seal the win. Defensively, the club was more organized and avoided mistakes seen in other matches.
Austin FC II (1-0 Loss)
Some will say that the wind was the real enemy in this one. But against Austin FC II, NTSC found themselves in another tight battle that ultimately slipped away.
Houston Dynamo 2 (2-0 Loss)
NTSC closed out the month with a 2-0 loss to rivals Houston Dynamo 2. The hosts took control with some early goals, thanks to defensive and goalkeeper miscues. North Texas never really found a rhythm in their attack and were shut out for the second game in a row.
Players to watch
Edu Nys - The FC Dallas SuperDraft pick has been stellar so far in an NTSC uniform. I said before the season began in my roster breakdown that Nys is one to watch as a potential second coming of Sam Sarver. Nys went a bit quiet in the two Texas games to follow. He’s still one to keep an eye on this season.
Enzo Newman - After picking up an ACL injury last spring, Newman is now back with NTSC this season, earning his first minutes in the win over Colorado. By the time the Houston game rolled around, Newman was back in the lineup.
Nicholas Simmonds - While Ricky Louis is picking up MLS minutes, his fellow first-round pick, Simmonds, is doing some solid work with NTSC. He scored a goal in the season opener and has shown some solid promise. The big question remains: Can he eventually do enough to get first-team minutes?
Academy Watch
If you are watching North Texas, you are likely looking for that ‘next guy’ who is coming out of the Academy.
This past month, NTSC had ten academy players featured, including Benji Flowers, making his professional debut against Houston. At 14 years, 11 months, and seven days old, Flowers is the second-youngest player to play for North Texas in club history.
Time for a change
While there is something to be said about Diego Garcia picking up the club’s all-time appearances record at the beginning of the season, you have to wonder if this is as good as it gets for him. With fellow HGP midfielder Caleb Swann picking up chances to be on the FC Dallas game day roster in recent weeks, Garcia is still ‘stuck’ with NTSC.
I think it is high time that the club figures out a way to get him a loan with a USL-Championship club, or even a club, maybe in Liga MX. Basically, anywhere that is a higher level than MLS NEXT Pro that can get him minutes would be ideal.
The one saving grace here for Garcia, he’s still picking up national team call ups here, as he earned a spot at the upcoming U20 USMNT camp in Argentina.
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