FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 18, 2026) — FC Dallas continued to shape its roster and long-term asset strategy Tuesday, announcing that Homegrown defender Malachi Molina has been loaned to Nashville SC for the 2026 MLS regular season with an option for a permanent transfer.
As part of the agreement, FC Dallas will acquire Nashville’s 2028 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick while sending its own 2028 third-round pick to Nashville. Molina will occupy an off-roster Homegrown slot with Nashville, giving the Eastern Conference side roster flexibility as it evaluates the young defender over the course of the season.
The move reflects FC Dallas’ ongoing balancing act between player development, roster competition, and future draft capital. For Molina, the loan provides an opportunity for consistent first-team exposure at the MLS level after developing within one of the league’s most respected academy systems.
Molina spent the past three seasons with FC Dallas’ MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, North Texas SC, where he steadily emerged as a reliable defensive presence. From 2023 through 2025, he made 34 appearances across all competitions, gaining valuable professional experience while continuing his transition from academy standout to senior-level contributor.
His professional debut came on April 16, 2023, when he suited up for North Texas SC as an FC Dallas Academy product, a milestone that underscored the club’s commitment to promoting internal talent. Molina’s growth accelerated during the 2024 season, when he made 18 appearances and delivered a defining moment on May 5, scoring the first goals of his professional career against Sporting Kansas City II.
That campaign proved to be a historic one for North Texas SC. Standing 6-foot-7, Molina’s physical presence and defensive range played a role in the club’s remarkable postseason run, which culminated in an MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship victory over Philadelphia Union II on Nov. 9, 2024. The title marked one of the most significant achievements in the affiliate’s history and further validated FC Dallas’ developmental pathway.
A Miami native, Molina joined the FC Dallas Academy on July 1, 2017, embarking on a long-term development track that saw him progress through multiple age groups. During the 2022 MLS NEXT season, he logged 12 starts with the U-17 Academy team and contributed three goals, an early indication of his aerial threat and attacking upside from the back line.
Molina’s development has also included international experience. In January 2024, he earned a call-up to the Jamaica U-20 Men’s National Team camp, adding to previous involvement with the Jamaica U-17 Men’s National Team. He featured prominently at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Guatemala, starting all three group-stage matches and logging 270 minutes as Jamaica finished second in its group. Molina also started and played a full 90 minutes in Jamaica’s Round of 16 match against host nation Guatemala.
From FC Dallas’ perspective, the loan represents both a developmental opportunity for Molina and a strategic roster move. By acquiring a higher draft pick in 2028, Dallas maintains flexibility for future roster construction while allowing a promising defender to gain experience in a new environment. The option for Nashville to make the move permanent adds another layer of potential long-term impact.
For Nashville SC, Molina offers size, athleticism, and upside at fullback, along with experience in a championship-winning professional environment. The club will use the 2026 season to assess his fit within its system and determine whether to exercise the purchase option.
As FC Dallas continues to prepare for the 2026 campaign, the Molina transaction underscores the organization’s reputation as a league leader in player development. Whether Molina’s future ultimately lies in Frisco or Nashville, his progression reflects the value of a pathway that emphasizes patience, opportunity, and competitive growth at every stage.
Transaction Summary:
FC Dallas loans defender Malachi Molina to Nashville SC for the 2026 MLS season with a permanent transfer option. FC Dallas acquires Nashville SC’s 2028 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick and sends its own 2028 third-round pick as part of the deal.
