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 November: USMNT Call-Ups and Player of the Year Nominations
Weston McKennie
During November, Texas native Weston McKennie played a total of 267 minutes in Serie A for the only unbeaten team this season, Juventus. But the highlight of McKennie’s month was on the international stage with the United States. The 26-year-old contributed two assists in a 4-2 win over Jamaica in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Nov. 18. Since returning to his club, however, McKennie has only featured once (against AC Milan) before being sidelined with muscle fatigue. He’ll look to get back on track this week when Juve hosts Manchester City in the Champions League – health permitting.
Alex Zendejas
Zendejas played three games for Club América in the Liga MX Apertura in November, where he registered an assist against Mazatlán FC and scored a goal against Pachuca. Now in the Liguilla Apertura, Zendejas has started five straight games and scored in the second leg of the semifinals against Cruz Azul. They’ll face Monterrey in the two-leg final on Dec. 12 and 15. On the international side of things, Zendejas joined up with the USMNT and was a late sub in both games against Jamaica.
Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi dominated November by scoring seven goals and adding one assist in just 472 minutes. The El Paso native scored one goal and registered an assist to win against NAC Breda (Nov. 9) before knocking in three goals in the 5-0 win over FC Groningen (Nov. 23). In the Champions League, Pepi made headlines by scoring a late winner in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Last time out in the Eredivisie, Pepi both scored and assisted in a 6-1 outing against FC Twente. The 21-year is also flourishing with the United States on the international stage. During the November window, Pepi scored in both legs of the Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica to send the U.S. to the semifinal where they’ll face Panama on March 20. His form over the calendar year earned him a nomination for US Soccer’s Male Player of the Year.
Tanner Tessmann
Tanner Tessmann is still fighting for a place in the Starting XI since signing for Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1 this summer. The 23-year-old made three substitute appearances in the league during November/December but was left on the bench twice. He has earned more playing time in the Europa league, however, starting twice in a draw against Hoffenheim and a win against Qarabag. Tessmann also made waves on the international stage by making his competitive debut for the USMNT during the Nations League quarterfinals. His performances over the last 12 months also earned him a nomination for US Soccer’s Young Male Player of the Year.
Chris Richards
Chris Richards is slowly working back from a month-long injury absence. The 24-year-old returned with a one-minute cameo for Crystal Palace against Aston Villa on Nov. 22 and followed it up with 9 minutes off the bench against Ipswich Town on Dec. 3. Despite his lack of game time at the club level, Richards was called up to the USMNT for the Nations League quarterfinals but was an unused substitute in both games.
Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds continues to be a week-in-week-out starter for KVC Westerlo in the Jupiler Pro League (Belgium). He played all 90 minutes in all five of Westerlo’s game since our last check-in and has helped the club reach 9th place, comfortably midtable.
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 26-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 been nominated for US Soccer's Male Player of the Year twice.
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 been a mainstay for the USMNT since his debut in 2020.
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 where he played three seasons before transferring to Olympique Lyon in France's top division.
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.
