Bayern Munich partnership gives FC Dallas youth stars hope

The path that Chris Richards took to Bayern Munich featured a short stint with FC Dallas. The partnership forged between the two clubs helped open the door for the Hoover, Alabama native and in doing so also gave other youth players with FC Dallas something to strive for.

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, FC Dallas prospect Thomas Roberts talked about seeing his former teammate living the dream in Bavaria.

Chris is my best friend. He was going to live with me this year. Going over there and seeing him thrive like that, it’s unbelievable and it makes me want to get there even more. Every day, just work harder here and hopefully get back over there soon and prove why I should be over there.

Roberts detailed how his own visit to Säbener Strasse gave him a bit of belief in his own game.

I was a little nervous. Then, when I got out there and started playing I realized I could play with these guys. Once I touched the ball, all the nerves went away and I just played my game.

Roberts, along with Brandon Servania and Paxton Pomykal, spent time training in Munich, while former FC Dallas youth player Chris Cappis also trained with Bayern before signing a deal with Hobro IK of the Danish Superliga.

Servania noted how seeing Richards make it has impacted how the players view their own futures.

Seeing him sign that contract is amazing and proves we also have that ability and if we keep working hopefully we’ll meet him over there some time soon.

FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez thinks the opportunity to train in Germany gives his players confidence and a sense of just how expansive the game is.

You see a growth in confidence and maturity and the idea that, ‘Hey, we have good players here and good concepts there and we can compete over there.’ I think the players that have that experience come back more cultured, more aware of how the game works globally.

With Richards as the shining example of what can happen, there is no doubt that FC Dallas is presenting its youth with options that go beyond what many other MLS clubs can offer.