STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | July 23, 2026 — FC Dallas has added another promising academy product to its professional ranks, signing 15-year-old forward Benjamin “Benji” Flowers to a Homegrown contract through the 2030-31 season with a club option for 2031-32.
Flowers becomes the 49th Homegrown signing in FC Dallas history and the youngest player to sign a professional contract with the club. The Longview, Texas, native joined the FC Dallas Academy in 2021 at 10 years old and has steadily progressed through one of Major League Soccer’ most established player-development systems.
FC Dallas President Dan Hunt described the signing as another significant moment for the organization and its academy. Hunt praised Flowers’ work ethic, determination and family support while emphasizing the club’s commitment to creating a clear pathway from youth soccer to the professional level.
FC Dallas: A Leader in Player Development
Flowers has already begun gaining experience beyond academy competition. The forward received his first opportunities to train with the FC Dallas first team during the 2026 season and has appeared in three matches for North Texas SC in MLS NEXT Pro.
His most recent appearance came in North Texas SC’s 3-0 victory over St. Louis CITY2 during the club’s inaugural match at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. Those opportunities have allowed Flowers to train and compete against older, more physically developed players while continuing his transition into the professional game.
FC Dallas Chief Soccer Officer André Zanotta called Flowers a special talent but also stressed that the signing represents the beginning of his professional development rather than the completion of it. The club plans to continue challenging Flowers through its academy, North Texas SC and first-team environments as he develops technically, physically and mentally.
Flowers made his professional debut for North Texas SC as an academy player on March 21 against Houston Dynamo 2. He was 14 years, 11 months and seven days old at the time, making him the second-youngest player to appear in North Texas SC history.
He also became the 38th FC Dallas Academy player to make an MLS NEXT Pro appearance, further demonstrating the organization’s consistent ability to move young players into meaningful professional competition.
Before signing his Homegrown deal, Flowers built an extensive academy résumé through domestic and international events. He competed at the MTU Cup in Germany in 2025, Copa Cronos in Guadalajara in 2023 and 2024, the 2026 Generation adidas Cup and three consecutive Dallas Cup tournaments from 2023 through 2025.
Those events exposed Flowers to different tactical styles and levels of competition while helping establish him as one of the academy’s leading prospects.
The 5-foot-9 forward has also received international recognition. Flowers has represented the United States at the under-15 level, earning multiple call-ups and scoring two goals in three appearances this year.
Because he holds United States and Mexican nationality, Flowers remains eligible to represent either country at the senior international level. His dual eligibility could make him a player of interest for both national-team programs as his career progresses.
Flowers’ signing continues FC Dallas’ long-standing investment in Homegrown talent. The club has earned a reputation throughout MLS for identifying players at an early age, developing them within a structured academy environment and providing opportunities through North Texas SC and the first team.
For Flowers, the contract rewards five years of development within the organization while creating a foundation for the next stage of his career. He will now continue working toward additional professional minutes and, eventually, an opportunity to contribute at the MLS level.
The contract runs through the 2030-31 season, with FC Dallas holding an option for 2031-32.
