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 October: More USMNT Call-Ups
Weston McKennie
In October, the Texas native Weston McKennie started for the Italian giants Juventus playing 182 minutes during four games in Serie A. He started all games except on October 19 against Lazio due to muscle fatigue. But he came back strong and made two assists against Inter and a goal against Parma. McKennie’s team also continued their play in the UEFA Champions League. He started two games for 145 minutes. Juventus won against RB Leipzig and received their first loss in the UEFA Champions League to VfB Stuttgart. On international duty, McKennie was on the bench for the USMNT for their win over Panama in an international friendly. The next game against Mexico he did not play due to his muscle fatigue.
In early November, Mckennie played a total of 24 minutes in two games for Juventus. During the Champions League, he played one game for 22 minutes in the draw against LOSC Lille. McKennie has been called up again for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica on Nov.14.
Alex Zendejas
Alex Zendejas had an amazing October with Club América. He played four games for a total of 343 minutes. Zendejas scored a goal in October against Club Tijuana. He also received two yellow cards, one against León in the 92nd minute, and the other was against Monterrey in the 80th minute. For the International Friendlies, he played both games against Panama and Mexico for a total of 50 minutes. He also received another yellow card during the Mexico game in the 75 minute.
In November so far, Zendejas has played three games for Club América for a total of 227 minutes. He registered an assist against Mazatlán FC and scored a goal during the Pachuca game. Zendejas also got called up again for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica on Nov.14.
Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi continues to be a threat off the bench for PSV Eindhoven. The 21-year-old played three games for a total of 123 minutes and scored three goals. He helped Eindhoven win all of their games in October against Sparta Rotterdam, AZ Alkmaar, and PEC Zwolle – scoring twice against Zwolle. In November, Pepi scored again and notched an assist in the 3-0 NAC Breda to bring his tally to seven goals on the season in all competitions.
Internationally, Pepi played 23 minutes against Panama in October and scored one goal in the 2-0 win and has been called up once again for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica on Nov. 14.
Tanner Tessmann
Tanner Tessmann hasn’t been a constant in October for Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1 since transferring to the team. Tessmann played three games in October for a total of 106 minutes. He played a little bit against FC Nantes and AJ Auxerre. He was on the bench during the 4-0 win against Le Havre AC. Tessmann also joined the United States to play in the International Friendlies against Panama and Mexico. He played 23 minutes against Panama and 27 minutes against Mexico. In November, Tessmann started on the bench for his team Olympique Lyon. In the next game, he played a total of 25 minutes in the 1-0 win against Saint-Étienne. Just like everyone above him, Tessmann got called up once again for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica on Nov. 14.
Chris Richards
Chris Richards is still working back from a hamstring injury so he didn't play for Crystal Palace or for the USMNT in the last month. Thankfully, though, Richards was seen on the bench against Fulham on Nov. 9. Plus he was called up again to play in the Concacaf Nations league quarterfinal against Jamaica on Nov.14, meaning he should be back to full fitness soon enough.
Bryan Reynolds
Fort Worth native Bryan Reynolds played two out of three games in October for KVC Westerlo. He played a total of 156 minutes and had to sit out for one game against Club Brugge due to a minor knock. But he was right back playing the next game and received a yellow card in the 52 minutes of the 2-0 loss against Sint-Truiden. KVC Westerlo began play in the Croky Cup in October. They ended up winning the first game against RWDM, and Reynolds played 90 minutes and scored a goal in the 2-1 win.
In November, Reynolds played 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over FCV Dender EH. He also played 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss against R Charleroi SC.
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.
