STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | Jan. 5, 2026 — On a day that has become a hallmark of the club’s identity, FC Dallas once again leaned into its developmental roots. During its annual Homegrown Day, the club announced the signings of academy products Jaidyn Contreras, Kaka Scabin, Slade Starnes, and Caleb Swann to Homegrown contracts, further extending its league-leading total to 48 such signings.
The milestone underscores FC Dallas’ long-standing reputation as Major League Soccer’s most consistent pipeline for young talent. While clubs across the league have increasingly invested in academies, Dallas has continued to set the benchmark—developing, promoting, and trusting players produced within its own system.
Contreras’ rise has been one of steady progression. The forward joined the FC Dallas Academy in 2022 after relocating from the Houston area and quickly emerged as a promising attacking option. He made his professional debut with North Texas SC on July 27, 2024, becoming the 24th academy graduate to appear for the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side. During the 2025 season, Contreras logged 26 appearances, scored two goals, and added two assists, while contributing to championship success with titles at the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup and the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational.
His development has also translated to the international stage. Contreras earned multiple call-ups with the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team in 2025, scoring twice and helping the squad capture the UEFA Friendship Cup. He later received his first U.S. U-19 call-up before representing Honduras at the U-19 level in the UNCAF FIFA Forward tournament—an indication of his growing profile and versatility.
Scabin’s path to Frisco has been more global. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, he began his youth career there before moving stateside and joining the Inter Miami Academy. He helped Inter Miami win the 2022 U-15 MLS NEXT Cup at Toyota Stadium before joining the FC Dallas Academy later that year. A composed defender with strong physical tools, Scabin signed his first professional deal with North Texas SC in July 2024 and made his pro debut that September, continuing to climb the ladder toward MLS minutes.
Starnes represents a different but equally valued avenue into the Homegrown program. A Dallas native, he transferred to SMU Mustangs for his senior season in 2025 and captained the Mustangs to their first ACC championship. His impact was undeniable, earning tournament MVP honors, United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American recognition, and a spot as a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. Prior to SMU, Starnes spent three productive seasons at Furman, where he established himself as a reliable two-way defender and leader.
Swann, meanwhile, has already built a reputation for durability and consistency. After joining the FC Dallas Academy in 2022 from Solar Soccer Club—where he won the prestigious U-15 Dallas Cup—Swann signed his first professional contract with North Texas SC in December 2024. During the 2025 season, he became just the sixth player in club history to appear in every regular-season match, logging 1,711 minutes, scoring twice, completing 82 percent of his passes, and helping North Texas lift the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational trophy.
With these four signings, FC Dallas now has 35 players under contract for the 2026 season, including a core heavily shaped by its academy. As MLS continues to evolve amid global competition for young talent, Dallas’ commitment to development remains both its calling card and competitive advantage.
For FC Dallas, Homegrown Day is more than an announcement—it is a reaffirmation of philosophy. And with Contreras, Scabin, Starnes, and Swann now officially part of the first team, the club’s future once again looks homegrown.
