And yet FC Dallas does appear to fear USL, or at least fear exposing its top academy talent to the league.
August 30th, 2016 was a big day for Weston McKennie. Two days after his eighteenth birthday, the Texas native signed his first professional contract with the Bundesliga powerhouse Schalke 04. After being left off last year's US U-17 World Cup roster, McKennie has had a career year at the age of 17.
McKennie led his team from the midfield, scoring 12 goals in 23 games. He won USDA U-18 Player of the Year, on the way to leading FC Dallas to the national title.