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 August: The European Soccer Season Begins
Weston McKennie
Fresh off signing a new contract, Weston McKennie remained on the bench for Juventus' opening win against Como 1907 on August 19. Internationally, the midfielder played for the United States in this year's Copa América, playing a total of 258 minutes this summer while starting all three group stage games.
Alex Zendejas
After signing a new contract with Club América in July, Zendejas started the season well with two starts and an assist before injuring a bone in his leg that will keep him out for a few weeks.
Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi continues to be an asset for PSV Eindhoven, making four appearances and scoring two goals. He is averaging a goal every 58 minutes as a super sub. Pepi also played 92 minutes for the United States during Copa América.
Tanner Tessmann
Tessmann captained Team USA to the quarterfinals in the 2024 Paris Olympics while starting and playing 90 minutes in all four games. At the club level, he helped Venezia FC earn promotion to Serie A last season but has since transferred to Lyon in Ligue 1 (France's top division).
Chris Richards
Chris Richards made two appearances in the English Premier League so far this year, playing 166 minutes in Crystal Palace's losses against Brentford FC and West Ham United. Richards also played 270 minutes for the U.S. during Copa America.
Bryan Reynolds
Fort Worth native Bryan Reynolds is already starting hot for KVC Westerlo with four appearances, one goal, and one assist in 347 minutes.
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.
