The MLS NEXT Pro Cup trophy has arrived in Texas, and interim North Texas SC head coach Michel Garbini wants to make sure it doesn't leave Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.
“[There's] nothing better than to play at home. Our goal is to keep the trophy in Dallas.”
North Texas SC will aim to, not only lift their first ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup trophy, but also be the first ever MLS NEXT Pro team to remain undefeated at home all season when they take on Philadelphia Union II this weekend.
“This is the final now, a very exciting moment for us, for the club, for the organization. We’re very proud of the players, and we're ready to play the game,” said Garbini.
Facing one of the youngest and most talented teams in MLS NEXT Pro, North Texas SC know the challenge ahead.
Philadelphia Union II boast players that have garnered widespread national attention like 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI selections CJ Olney and Frankie Westfield, as well as USMNT Under-19 call-ups David Vazquez and Neil Pierre. And, of course, the uber-talented Cavan Sullivan.
“We know it's not going to be an easy game," Garbini said about Eastern Conference champions. "They're going to be hungry; they’re coming for the game. The players all know what to do, and they're going to work hard."
Still, North Texas SC has every reason to feel confident heading into the season’s biggest match.
With the pressure of being the top seed of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, they’ve pushed through tough moments but have shown resilience every step of the way.
Captain Nico Gordon shared insights from the locker room after their 3-0 extra time victory over St Louis CITY2 to clinch the Western Conference title: “The vibe in the locker room is really good. Obviously, we just came off a good win, so there are high spirits going around."
Despite their home-field advantage and having the best goal differential in the regular season, Gordon and the team remain cautious and focused ahead of Saturday’s final.
“Our organization has to be really good. We know Philly can obviously hurt us in some areas. So being organized, talking to the players before the game, and making sure we know our roles and responsibilities going into it," said Gordon.
To lift the MLS NEXT Pro trophy in front of an expected raucous crowd in Frisco would cement the work that not only Garbini and North Texas SC have done in 2024, but solidify what the entire FC Dallas organization is about: developing talent and winning trophies.
But in order to do so, Gabrini, Gordon and the rest of North Texas SC must pass one last test.
With everything at stake, Gordon summed up his mentality come Saturday:
"I'm ready to go to war."
