Sam Hale

I hope all who have enjoyed the amazing work of
@3rddegree.net in the last 30 years, will find their way to this event and wish well, "my Hero, your Hero, everybody's Hero." 🥲

A really good look at the situation between the posts in Frisco right now.

I apparently monkey’s pawed James to MLS. Just didn’t calibrate it properly.

With Maarten Paes officially an Ajax player, only 3 players under contract with FC Dallas right now were on the 2022 roster when Paes first signed:

-Paxton Pomykal
-Tsiki Ntsabeleng (currently on loan to Mamelodi Sundowns FC in South Africa)
-Bernard Kamungo (played 20 minutes in one game)

When Dallas announced he was entering FA I thought it was because there was a good amount of deserved interest. Lotta teams that made GK moves this winter could have saved hassle by signing him.

A good question. I theorized in my Paes write up that would be the easiest call. Maybe they feel Sirois is a better keeper. 150k GAM is basically nothing for a club with 4+ mil in it. Reserving judgement until more information arises.

Ah there we go. Dallas gets their GK2.

95% of my life been lived in Tarrant County. If you’ve lost those folks, objectively you have a big problem on your hands.

Some preseason thoughts post Portugal residency As the team gets ready for its return to Frisco from Portugal, Sam breaks down what he learned from the team's two weeks abroad.

FC Dallas closed out their Portugal camp with a 3-1 win over RSL earlier today. As they head back stateside, here are some takeaways about the squad’s time across the Atlantic.

torostalk.com/mls-fc-dalla...

Coming tomorrow to Toros Talk: As FC Dallas wraps up their time in Portugal, I had some thoughts inspired by what I've seen and heard about the team's residency. You'll get those in your inbox tomorrow if you're subscribed. If not, why not go ahead and do so. It's free!

torostalk.com

I fully acknowledge this is a bad idea, and would probably blow up quickly.

However.

If FC Dallas signed James Rodriguez I'd abandon my intellectual brain real fast.

BREAKING: FC Dallas transferring Maarten Paes to Ajax Multiple sources are reporting FC Dallas is sending former starting goalkeeper Maarten Paes to Dutch giant Ajax. Sam breaks down the move from all angles.

As we await for official confirmation from the club, here's what we know about Maarten Paes' transfer to Ajax that was widely reported yesterday along with some first blush reaction.

torostalk.com/fc-dallas-ml...

Colorado. Colorado never changes.

BREAKING: FC Dallas transferring Maarten Paes to Ajax Multiple sources are reporting FC Dallas is sending former starting goalkeeper Maarten Paes to Dutch giant Ajax. Sam breaks down the move from all angles.

Let's talk about today's breaking FC Dallas news, which is Maarten Paes on his back to European giant Ajax. What it means for him, the current roster, and his place in FC Dallas lore.

torostalk.com/fc-dallas-ml...

🇮🇩 Sources: Ajax finalizing a deal to sign Indonesia int'l GK Maarten Paes from FC Dallas.

Paes, 27, made 128 apps for Dallas. Returns to Netherlands after being signed from Utrecht.

Has 10 caps for Indonesia after debuting in 2024.

Am hearing the same. Emergency coverage coming to Toros Talk ASAP.

Former FCD player update

The FC Dallas Breakout Index: Preseason 2026 As preseason in Portugal rolls on, Sam rolls out the first edition of the Breakout Index as he looks at players who could see their stars rise as soon as the 2026 season.

Talked about that possibility and more in the latest Toros Talk post tracking the next breakout FCD player.

torostalk.com/mls-fc-dalla...

Is that Ricky Louis at wing back I see? 👀👀

I know it’s controversial but I will always side with “why should we change the idealistic symbols, they’re the ones who suck.”

The FC Dallas Breakout Index: Preseason 2026 As preseason in Portugal rolls on, Sam rolls out the first edition of the Breakout Index as he looks at players who could see their stars rise as soon as the 2026 season.

Over at Toros Talk: A new recurring series has debuted where I’m keeping an eye on who will be FC Dallas’ next star players. Introducing The Breakout Index:

torostalk.com/mls-fc-dalla...

GAM update

Oh man this is a huge loss for the soccer community.

As we gear up for the start of the MLS season, here's the current list of (almost all) MLS club content creators across the league. Information for each is on the website linked below. If we're missing anyone, please let me know!
stlsoccernews.com/club-content...

Three Players To Watch During FC Dallas Training Camp As FC Dallas heads for Portugal to start their preseason camp in earnest, Sam looks at a trio of players who for various reasons are worth keeping an eye on.

Today at Toros Talk: With FC Dallas preseason about to start in earnest, we look at three players worth watching closely as the team heads for Portugal tomorrow.

torostalk.com/fc-dallas-ml...

For the second straight preseason FC Dallas locks up a key young piece to a deal. Last year it was Farrington and Kamungo, this year it’s Nolan Norris. Smart business from the Burn.

Toros Talk Covering all things FC Dallas

Since I’ve seen a decent amount of new followers, a quick intro:

I’m the EP of the FC Dallas Radio Network, which is both our live broadcasts on YouTube and our podcast network: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

I also run Toros Talk, a website dedicated to FC Dallas: torostalk.com

BREAKING: Mark Briggs, head coach of the Birmingham Legion, is departing the club, sources tell me and @joeclowery.bsky.social.

Briggs is expected to join the staff at FC Dallas, where he’ll serve under former New Mexico United manager Eric Quill.

Miami Dolphins head coach Matt LaFleur

I’m convinced every NFL referee is given a different set of rules for end zone situations, and you only discover them once the situation occurs with each ref. Like some sort of cursed RPG.