North Texas SC announced today the signing of midfielder Umberto Pelà to a two-year MLS NEXT Pro contract, with a club option for a third year, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Pelà became the second Cavalier drafted by FC Dallas in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft with the 44th overall pick.
At Virginia, Pelà appeared in 57 matches, scored five goals, and added eight assists. He captained the Cavaliers in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, leading them to an ACC regular season title (2024), two ACC semifinal appearances (2024, 2025), and one appearance in the ACC championship game (2025). He earned United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American honors in 2025.
Before his senior year at Virginia, Pela competed for now-defunct Lane United FC of USL League Two. In 2025, Pelà helped the club set a club record for most wins (7) and points (25) in a season.
A Milan, Italy, native, Pelà played club soccer for Serie A side Como 1907. He captained the club in the 2021-22 season and made his debut with the club on Nov. 20, 2021, against Entella U-19.
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