FC Dallas and its Academy have produced some of the U.S.’s top players in recent years, many of whom have left the comforts of home to ply their trade in other soccer leagues. Although they’re no longer with FC Dallas, they’ll always be a part of its history. So, why not check in to see how they’re doing? This is Following FC Dallas Alumni Abroad, presented by MoneyGram.
As of now, we're following six FC Dallas Academy products playing in top leagues abroad: Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Bryan Reynolds, Chris Richards, Tanner Tessmann and Alex Zendejas. Each month, we’ll check in to see how they’re faring with their new clubs.
Note, you can read about all these players’ FC Dallas careers at the bottom of this article.
FC Dallas Alumni Abroad in September: Representing the USA
Weston McKennie
In September, the Texas native Weston McKennie featured for the Italian giants Juventus playing a total of 23 minutes in the scoreless draw against AS Roma. In his next two games in Serie A, McKennie played a total of 142 minutesincluding a scoreless draw against Napoli and a 3-0 win over Genoa CFC. Juventus also qualified for the UEFA Champions League where they won their first game against PSV Eindhoven 3-1. McKennie contributed to the win, scoring one goal and playing a total of 75 minutes. Looking ahead, McKennie will join up with the U.S. Men’s National Team for two friendly matches against Panama and Mexico.
Alex Zendejas
Alex Zendejas returned to the Club América squad in September from his leg injury that happened in July. In the three games he has played, he totaled 117 minutes. Since his return, Club América has won one game against Atlas, tied Necaxa, and lost against UNAM Pumas. Like McKennie, Zendejas was called up by new USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino for this month’s international window.
Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi continued to be an asset for PSV Eindhoven in September. In the Eredivisie, Pepi has started two times out of the four times they have played. He also played a total of 178 minutes in a span of four games and won all of the games. He contributed to one win against Willem II Tilburg by scoring two goals in one game. PSV Eindhoven also qualified for the UEFA Champions League with Pepi playing a total of 14 minutes during the loss from Juventus and a tie from Sporting CP. During his September season with PSV Eindhoven, Pepi got called-up to play for Team USA in the International Friendlies. He played a total of 94 minutes in two games against the loss of Canada and a draw from New Zealand. The 21-year-old has also been called up to the USMNT and will look to add to his tally of 10 international goals later this month.
Tanner Tessmann
The rumors were true. Tanner Tessmann left Venezia FC, Serie A league and is now with Olympique Lyon, Ligue 1. In September Tessmann played a total of 69 minutes in three games for Olympique Lyon and was on the bench for one of those three games. Olympique Lyon has played one game so far in the UEFA Europa League with Tessmann playing a total of 22 minutes in the win over Olympiacos Piraeus. Tessmann will join McKennie, Zendejas and Pepi in the USMNT squad as a late addition to replace the injured Johnny Cardoso in Pochettino’s squad.
Chris Richards
Chris Richards had a unfortunate end to his September. Richards played a total of 180 minutes during his two starts for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League. He sat on the bench during the Leicester game and did not play against Everton due to a hamstring injury. Crystal Palace did make the EFL Cup and played a total of 170 minutes in both wins. Richards also got called-up to play for Team USA in the International Friendlies where he started both games and played a total of 180 minutes. During the second game against New Zealand he was honored as being named as one of the Team Captains.
Bryan Reynolds
Fort Worth native Bryan Reynolds started all three games for KVC Westerlo in September with a total of 260 minutes. Reynolds got a yellow card against RSC Anderlecht in the 81 minute where they tied the game 2-2. His second yellow card was against Royal Antwerp FC in the 74 minute where they lost the game 2-1. They did get their only win in September against Standard Lîége 2-1.
FC Dallas Roots
You’ve read about how these players are doing now. Here’s how they got their starts with FC Dallas.
Weston McKennie is probably FC Dallas’ most well-known export, despite never playing for its first team. Although born in Washington state, McKennie grew up in Little Elm, Texas and developed in the FCD Academy from 2009 to 2016. After turning 18, McKennie signed for German club Schalke 04 where he’d go on to play four seasons before joining 36-time Italian champions Juventus in 2020. Apart from a half-season loan to Leeds United in the Premier League, McKennie has been with Juve for four seasons, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. The 25-year-old has been a mainstay for the U.S. Men’s National Team since 2017, earning 49 caps and scoring 11 goals.
Ricardo Pepi joined the FC Dallas Academy in 2016 from its El Paso affiliate club in his hometown. He signed his first pro contract with FCD’s second team, North Texas SC, in late 2018 as its first-ever player. Pepi famously scored a hat trick on his pro debut and went on to sign a Homegrown contract with FCD midway through 2019. Pepi enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021, becoming an MLS All-Star and winning MLS Young Player of the Year after a 12-goal campaign. He subsequently signed for German club FC Augsburg in FCD’s record outgoing transfer. After one season in Germany, Pepi went on loan to Dutch side FC Groningen where he scored 12 goals and earned a permanent transfer to PSV Eindhoven, one of the Netherland’s biggest clubs. Pepi debuted for the USMNT in 2021 and has 10 international goals in 22 appearances.
Chris Richards never played for FC Dallas’ first team, similar to McKennie (although Richards did sign a contract with FCD). An Alabama native, Richards joined the FCD Academy from Texans SC Houston in 2017 and signed a Homegrown contract in 2018. He was then loaned from FCD to FC Bayern Munich as part of the clubs’ now-defunct player development partnership, before joining the German giants permanently a year later. Richards played five games in the Bundesliga for Bayern before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan for two consecutive seasons. In 2022, Richards departed Bayern for the Premier League with Crystal Palace. Richards has played 14 times for the United States and scored one goal.
Bryan Reynolds joined the FCD youth system as a 12-year-old and signed a Homegrown contract in late 2016, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player at 15 years and 147 days old. In 2019, Reynolds helped North Texas SC win the inaugural USL League Title alongside a handful of FCD Academy products. Reynolds enjoyed a breakout 2020 campaign with FC Dallas, which earned him a transfer to Italian club AS Roma the following year. Seeking more game time, Reynolds went on loan to the Belgian Pro League, first with K.V. Kortrijk and then to KVC Westerlo – where he signed permanently in 2023. Reynolds has played seven times for the United States and scored one goal.
Tanner Tessmann moved from Alabama to join the FC Dallas Academy in 2016 at 15 years old. At 17, Tessmann helped reserve side North Texas SC win the 2019 USL League One title. Although originally committing to play soccer at Clemson, Tessmann decided to go pro at 18 and signed a Homegrown contract in 2020. After one-and-a-half seasons with Dallas, Tessmann secured a transfer to Italy with Venezia – then in Serie A. Tessmann has featured for the United States on two occasions.
Alex Zendejas signed a Homegrown contract with FC Dallas after joining its Academy via its El Paso affiliate club, a path Ricardo Pepi would follow a few years later. Zendejas signed as the club’s 13th Homegrown in 2012 and went on to make eight appearances. He subsequently joined Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara permanently before being sent on loan to Zacatepec. In 2020, Zendejas transferred to Necaxa where he enjoyed two successful years before being recruited by Club América, one of the continent’s biggest clubs. A dual national, Zendejas originally represented Mexico internationally before filing a one-time switch to play for the United States. The 26-year-old has seven caps and scored one goal.
