MATCH NOTES
- Six players made their North Texas SC debut tonight.
- North Texas SC holds a 4-1-1 record in home openers.
- MLS NEXT Pro Box Score
Arlington, Texas (March 15, 2024) – North Texas SC (0-0-1, 1 point) opened its 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 0-0 draw against Whitecaps FC 2 (0-0-1, 2 points) on Friday night at Choctaw Stadium. Vancouver picked up the extra point by winning the shootout 4-2.
DEBUTANTS 2024
Five players made their North Texas SC debut in the starting lineup tonight: Michael Collodi, Nico Gordon, Nick Mendonca, Abdoul Zanne and Enes Sali. Additionally, Malik-Henry Scott made his NTSC debut as a substitute, coming on in the 80th minute.
SEASON OPENER RECORD
With tonight’s 0-0 draw, North Texas SC remains unbeaten in season opening matches. The club holds a 5-0-1 record when opening up league play since 2019 in all competitions.
OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL
John Gall led North Texas SC into his first season opener as head coach, after being appointed that role during the offseason. Gall posted a record of 4-3-2 last season as interim.
THE PIPELINE CONTINUES
Former FC Dallas Academy players Michael Collodi and Malik Henry-Scott made their professional debuts tonight, after spending several years in the collegiate pathway with Columbia University and the University of Tulsa, respectively.
SHOWING UP WHEN IT MATTERS
North Texas SC goalkeeper Michael Collodi showed off in front of the home crowd by starting off the season with a clean sheet. Collodi also saved the second Whitecaps penalty kick.
UP NEXT
North Texas SC takes on St Louis CITY2 from CITYPARK on Sunday, March 24 at 6PM CT. The match will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Lineups
North Texas SC — Michael Collodi; Tarik Scott, Nico Gordon, Carl Sainté, Nolan Norris; Diego García (Anthony Ramirez – 77’), Nick Mendonca (Dylan Lacy – 86’), Tomas Pondeca, Abdoul Zanne; Enes Sali, Diego Pepi (Malik Henry-Scott – 80’).
Substitutes not used — Victor Darub, Amet Korça, Turner Humphrey, Leo Londe, Lautaro Taboada, Alejandro Urzua.
Whitecaps FC 2 — Max Anchor; Finn Linder, Immanuel Mathe, Belal Halbouni, Mihail Gherasimencov; Jeevan Badwal, Malcolm Simmons, Eliot Goldthorp; Jay Herdman (Liam Mackenzie – 67’), Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (Cyprian Kachwele – 67’), Lowell Wright.
Substitutes not used — Trystan Read, Buster Sjöberg, Joshué Ndakala, Darko Ilić, Malek Mehri.
Misconduct Summary:
NTX: Diego Pepi (yellow card) – 37’
VAN: Belal Halbouni (yellow card) – 76’
NTX: Nolan Norris (yellow card) – 81’
Weather: Cloudy, 62°F
Attendance: 1,887
Post Game Quotes
Head Coach John Gall
On what was missing from tonight’s match…
“I think putting the ball in the back of the net. We had a couple of chances, the boys are trying, it’s early in the season. Sometimes those things take a little bit of time. When you don't get the result that you want after the penalty kicks, you look at what happened in the game. A concerning thing would be if we didn’t have the ball, if we were chasing the game, if we were not in control of the possession. We competed really well. The important thing is not to be too down. Penalty kicks are a coin flip, anyone can win, anyone can lose. It's just important that we played well today. We had some really proud performances and we’re really proud of the group.”
On the six players that made their North Texas SC debut…
“The guys that came in today, the new guys, from Enes, Nico Gordon, [Michael Collodi, Nick Mendoza, Abdoul Zanne]... Malik came in and did really well… I am just really proud of the group for pushing and for doing the things we ask them to do. Whenever you get new players in the group it takes time and I think those guys came in today and showed like they have been here for a long time.”
Defender Nico Gordon
On making his debut for North Texas SC…
“I’m delighted to make my debut for North Texas. I think the game was very good. Obviously a lot of things we’ve been working on in training came out. We were nasty to play against, winning second balls and competing. From the results we had in preseason, this was a great reaction and a good start to the season.”
On the team’s chemistry so far…
“In training the chemistry is definitely there. It’s a family bond. I was really proud of all the players today and I am very thankful to make my debut for the club. We play like we know each other, not just in training and on the pitch, but after training we’re always together. We try to communicate and talk to each other as much as possible. You can definitely see the chemistry for sure.”
