3rd Degree the Podcast

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your DFW soccer buddies... A.k.a. your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - get to celebrate an FC Dallas victory pod. What a fantastic win in New York, the first time since 2007.  Great collective defense, in a back four!!  Binyamin was excellent, Kiack is starting to cook, Musa was Musa, Valiente and Johansson were flexing, and everyone feels good at the moment. Although the commentator dropping racial epithets instead of Kaick's name was triggering. RSL and Diego Luna are up next.  Dallas Trinity got a point, keeping themselves in the final playoff spot. But they did it by dropping Missimo and Ubogagu, and at least Ubogagu got subbed in with time to make an impact.  North Texas SC lost again, but interestingly, they too played a back four. And Nico Montoya made his first start of the year with 6 quality saves.  Music by Pappy Check.

5/5/26 • 69:12

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - have to deal with a bunch of losers. FC Dallas were losers (twice), North Texas SC were losers, and Dallas Trinity were losers... nope check that, sorry, Trinity tied... but in a playoff race, a tie might as well be a loss.  The struggle was real for FC Dallas vs Minnesota, why exactly was that? Then the team rotated a ton at Seattle Sounders, not a bad idea since FCD has won there once in its entire existence and that was 15 years ago.  Thankfully there are couple positives from the both games, here and there. But this is what this team is. Up next are the MetroStars...opps, Red Bulls.  North Texas SC continues to struggle without the FCD pieces: Caleb Swann, Ricky Louis, and Nick Simmonds. Edu Nys is a baller though. Biggar and Starnes are holding it down in the back.  And Dallas Trinity again struggeled at Brooklyn, although at least they got a point this time in the porring rain. Three games left, it's going to be tough. Music by Pappy Check.

4/28/26 • 87:57

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, Dan Crooke is back!  The jovial Englishman joins Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick to break down the latest FC Dallas... um... breakdown. It's not like Los Toros lost, but they need to be piling up wins in this first part of the season, not ties. So there's lots of FCD talk: FCD switched off, Valiente & Musa excel, Oz doing too much, bad miss on offside, Johansson injured, Cappis better... now is it time for Moreno to start against Minnesota? Plus, there's news about ticket pricing for the next three seasons, and Peter contemplates buying the front of the kit sponsorship of FCD. Dallas Trinity out-soccered the tar out of Carolina Ascent... and lost. But goodness was it some beautiful play. Now, the Golden Girls are barely holding on to 4th and have to go to Brooklyn, where they lost 3-0 two weeks back.  North Texas SC got a shootout win on the road in Portland with a standout performance from keeper Eryk Dymora and league-leading scorer Édouard Nys. Music by Pappy Check.

4/21/26 • 87:21

Once again this week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, Dan Crooke is missing. Your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick - soldier on without him. Last week was a triple "great win" podcast; this week, not so much.  FC Dallas pulled the chute against St Louis City with multiple poor performances and an overall lack of dawg-ness. Out of charter? Perhaps. But a bad showing, no matter how you slice it. Were there any good performances? Yes, a couple. Now, FCD gets ready for LA Galaxy with multiple questions lingering.  And Dallas Trinity was even worse, with a terrible showing on the crazy narrow field in Brooklyn. Now Trinity has to face 3rd place Carolina, with the Lexi Missimo problem still in full effect. 5 games remain, can the Golden Girls hold on to 4th place and the last playoff spot? And North Texas SC didn't do much better, getting a home tie against the team they stopped on the road a week ago. It didn't help that FCD took 3 of NTSC's best players to cover for possible issues in the FCD squad. That happens with the reserve team player *before* the first team. Never a good idea.  Music by Pappy Check.

4/14/26 • 66:58

It's a triple victory pod on this week's 3rd Degree the Podcast, so your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick - have plenty of joy to spread around. First, it was a comprehensive win for FC Dallas over DC. Just about every phase was quality. The Parrington, Urhoghide, Ramiro... Moreno off the bench. So much good on display (and a couple of small hiccups). The dudes are all moving in a positive direction. St Louis is up next, and then it gets a little tougher again for a bit.  North Texas SC stomped Sportin KC II and plays them again on Friday. NTSC is using an older team this year, but there is some FCD talent that needs playing, so that's ok.  Dallas Trinity also enjoyed a comfortable win, 3-1 over the Zephyr. Trinity controlled possession, which makes them look good. Missimo was better, Stainbrook again. Solid defense. New buy Jasmine Hamid looks bright and useful off the bench and on the right. Everything is looking good in DFW soccer.  Music by Pappy Check.

4/7/26 • 67:34

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, Dan Crooke is back to rejoin your other two hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick. As FC Dallas had the week off, the Trio looks ahead to the game at DC United and going against old friends Lucas Bartlett and Brandon Servania. Santiago Moreno is official at FCD. How does he fit in? Could he play this weekend? What tactics might Coach Quill roll out? Seems like a good time for an FCD temperature check.  Dallas Trinity has Tampa Sun on Tuesday, missing a couple of pieces on the back line, and your hosts felt the need to revisit the Missimo problem.  North Texas SC is off for a 2nd week, this time due to the Dallas Cup, as some players will go down to join the U18 for the Super Group. Atletico Dallas is also taking part in the tourney for the first time. And Rodeo SC launched their brand, Dan Crooke was on hand for the vibe check. Music by Pappy Check.

3/31/26 • 78:30

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, Dan Crooke was supposed to be around, but his computer blew up and your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick - had to muddle through without their affable Brit. Thankfully, the crazy 4-3 FC Dallas win over Houston gave them plenty to talk about, even with FCD having next week off. Logan Farrington was amazing, Peter Musa came to the rescue after the 5-minute meltdown started by Michael "Goldfish" Collodi, the 3-4-3 tactics are fascinating, the Changes Quill made worked, and now Dallas looks to be adding Santiago Moreno.  On the other side of town, Dallas Trinity got taken down hard by the best team in the Super League, Sporting JAX. It's time to talk about the elephant in the room, Lexi Missimo.  North Texas SC saw its second-youngest debut in club history by Benji Flowers. Is FCD going to fumble this one, too? Atletico Dallas is launching an academy tier for youth, Rodeo SC has its logo debut this week, and McKinney Chupacabras hired two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Frank Yallop.  And you should check out the awesome story of the 1984 Sting team that won the World Championship for the US of A.  Music by Pappy Check.

3/24/26 • 85:59

Dan Crooke showed up as questionable on this week's injury report and then failed the game time test, so your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick - had to go on without their Lutonian this week. FC Dallas took on perhaps the best in MLS, San Diego FC, granted a well-rotated version. Despite going down 3-1, your hoops didn't give up and fought back with their new 3-4-3 and a high press. Petar Musa had a hat trick to earn MLS Player of the Matchday. Nolan Norris fared well, and Kacik was a high-pressure machine. Houston Dynamo is up next, will we see this new shape and tactic?  Dallas Trinity grabbed a point on the road at DC Power, thanks to false-9 Bethany Bos. They then went and added a new center back, US U23 Sydney Cheesman, and look ahead to Lexington Sporting Club on Wednesday to kick off 4 straight at the Cotton Bowl. North Texas SC played in some really poor conditions, falling to Austin FC 1-0 after getting a first-half red card.  Plus, the new USMNT kits are out.  Music by Pappy Check.

3/17/26 • 71:19

It's a super fat episode this week on 3rd Degree the Podcast. Your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - have plenty to talk about. First, how often is a loss considered a good performance? Well, this one in LA was. FCD did a good job containing the high-flying Hollywood FC. The switchfoot wingbacks were a bit odd, but the midfield trio was much improved. Michal Collodi was the man of the match with a standout showing. Although unfinished, FCD's League Cup slate is looking more complete. Peter Musa got a call-up. And now San Diego comes to town.  Balata and Wisner got Team of the Month, and Graciie Brian retired. Then Dallas Trinity stole a massive road win via Buzz's favorite new player, Heather Stainbrook. Now Trinity gets DC Power before getting a 4-game home stand.  North Texas SC added Matt Hedges to the staff, then proceeded to stop Rapids 2. NTSC's new star Edu Nys had a hattrick.   Rodeo SC has its logo release party on March 27th. The FIFA fan fest looks great, and both Frisco and Mansfield are hosting World Cup teams.  Music by Pappy Check.

3/10/26 • 75:30

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - attempt to be more entertaining than the FC Dallas game against Nashville. Neither team generated much offense, making for a snoozer. In FC Dallas favor, they were attempting to lock down the game and keep it scoreless. It's early in the season, but questions abound. Is it time to bench Kamungo? How close is Valiente to being a starter? Should FCD sell Kaick? Any judgment on Johansson?  Up next, LAFC on the road. Ouch. One of the best in the league, that's going to be a seriously tough assignment.  Dallas Trinity beat Houston Dash 1-0 in front og 6k. Carolina Kelly with the game winner. Are there any takeaways with a tough assignment of their own this weekend at Lexington SC?    North Texas SC kicked off the season missing a few pieces and came away from Salt Lake with a tie. But really, Los Toritos should have won and let it slip with a late equalizer.  Plus, Rodeo SC added a youth club partnership.  Music by Pappy Check.

3/3/26 • 52:04

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick - have to muddle through with half a Dan Crooke. But thankfully, Dennis McGowan was around to pick up Crooke's spare and finish the show. FC Dallas opened the season with a solid performance against Toronto FC to grab three home points. Farrington and Musa were lighting it up, the midfield played well, the wingbacks showed something, Collodi was solid, and the back line was shaky... all as expected. The kits look amazing, the TIFO was strong, and the 24-hour tailgate was a smash. Nashville SC is up next. Plus, the crew says so long to the great Paxton Pomykal.  Dallas Trinity fell on the road at Carolina, and your hosts dig into what's not going well. The Trinity have their big friendly with the Houston Dash up next. Try not to look ahead to Lexington, ladies. And North Texas SC gets going this weekend.  Music by Pappy Check.

2/24/26 • 85:50

The MLS season is upon us! And thus, this week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - put a bow on the FC Dallas preseason. How's the team looking heading into the season? What does the formation look like? Who are the expected starters? A 10 and a keeper were announced. Is the new 10 a factor at this point? The new kit is amazing! Plus, FCD and MLS predictions. There are some serious HSO's on the table. Dallas Trinity had a game called off for weather/field conditions. They go again this weekend against Carolina. Atletico Dallas had an intro meet and greet for new Coach Peter Luccin. Our man, Peter Welpton, was on hand to take it in, and he'll tell you all about it. The hype is starting to build, Wolff and Snake!  And North Texas SC signed two players, a midfielder and a keeper.  Music by Pappy Check.

2/17/26 • 94:10

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - do a live podcast from Peticolas Brewing Company Taproom to celebrate Buzz moving out of town. A live crowd spices it.  For FC Dallas, there was a good/bad scrimmage win (over three 45-minute periods) against New York Red Bulls, missing some pieces. A 10-less formation, some poor build, but lots of goals. The Houston and Atlanta games are this week. So what's next? A 10? A DP? One thing for sure, there's an amazing new kit coming.  Athletico Dallas has a coach announcement this week. But the name got reported today, so your trio digs into what Peter Luccin might do for the city's newest team.  Dallas Trinity's newest signings power the Golden Girls to a huge 4-0 win on the road. Heather Stainbrook was particularly strong. This week, it gets a lot tougher with an undefeated Lexington side. The pod finishes with a celebration of 3rd Degree's moving away founder. Music by Pappy Check.

2/10/26 • 78:17

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - break down what they can from the very limited access of FC Dallas vs RSL. Then it's a vibe check on the state of the team about halfway through spring camp. And the big question, will FCD get a 10 or not? Dallas Trinity kicked off the second half with some new additions getting right into things. Maybe one more addition to come? And finally, the USL Premier announcement dropped, and your hosts dig into the amazing developments in that league, including, potentially, promotion and relegation! Big things ahead for Atletico Dallas and Fort Worth USL.  Music by Pappy Check.

2/3/26 • 73:31

This episode of 3rd Degree the podcast, is dedicated to Elizabeth Angle. Rest in peace.  It's a quiet week in Dallas soccer on this week's episode of 3rd Degree the Podcast. Your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - break down what they can of the FC Dallas scrimmages, which weren't streamed by the club. Still, some details were put out, and a pirate stream or two may have helped. Even with the opposition being poor, some things were learned. Dallas Trinity has a new coach and gets back after it this weekend. And North Texas SC has started camp. Oh, and FC Dallas loaned Ened Sali out. Thankfully.  Music by Pappy Check.

1/27/26 • 51:00

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - check in on FC Dallas as the team heads to Portugal. Dan Crooke has an early camp training report. Then the trio plays secret agent to suss out who is in the overseas camp, and who isn't.  Plus, a name has surfaced for a 10-target that might be worth paying attention to. Frankly, with the club being secretive, there's not a ton to talk about. Thankfully, Dallas Trinity is picking up the slack. First, we hear a coach is just about hired, and we have three new signings to chew on. Is there more to come? The Trinity gets going again in two weeks.  Plus, NTSC has opened camp, and that has triggered some Academy talk. And finally, a trip by Dan to a classic kit fair leads to some discussion of great stuff in your hosts' personal collections.  Music by Pappy Check.

1/20/26 • 59:18

It's back to business on this week's episode of 3rd Degree the Podcast. Your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - are hyped for the start of FC Dallas training camp. New numbers, preseason games, new player talk (Chucky Lozano and Weston McKennie?), and a new assistant coach. Heck, the transfer window isn't even open yet. Dallas Trinity is back at it, and we hear some moves might be coming, maybe even a new coach. Atlético Dallas partnered with the City of Dallas for its corporate headquarters at Expo Park And North Texas SC signed a 6'7" 16-year-old keeper.  Music by Pappy Check.

1/13/26 • 62:34

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - celebrate the new year and the start of season 8 of the podcast.  FC Dallas talk kicks things off with a discussion of the club's new "Homegrown Signing Day" and why one of the four signings matters more - for now - than the other three. Training camp opens this weekend, is the most set in stone starting XI entering camp that's been seen in some time? Plus FCD will be playing Brøndby and RSL in Algarve in late January. Dallas Trinity is preparing to face the Houston Dah in February. North Texas SC made their roster purge official, and re-signed a kid.And Rodeo SC made a big personnel change at the top of the organization.  Music by Pappy Check.

1/6/26 • 67:25

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick (Dan Crooke is out for the Holidays) - try to liven up your pre-New Year void with some local soccer talk!  First, it's FC Dallas with a new wing-back on the way, and that signifies a couple of things. Perhaps most of you will want to hear what your hosts know about a playmaker. FCD also made some draft picks, and the duo will tell you what you need to know. Peter sneaks in some kit talk, too. Then it's Dallas Trinity talk as they go into the winter, looking at some changes on the field, and, hopefully, in the stands.  And Atletico Dallas bought a reserve team in the UPSL, completing their pathway. That's a great move.  Music by Pappy Check.

12/29/25 • 60:30

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, Dan Crooke is back, and he joined Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick to talk all things pro soccer in DFW.  First, FC Dallas is making some news, landing their first signing. So what's next, and are they really talking to a center back?  How about a DP 10 or any other rumors? FCD also traded up to the 3rd overall pick in the SuperDraft. Dallas Trinity won again, this time on a Missimo goal; they're now up to 4th with one game to go in the fall section. And Atletico Dallas announced an amazing fan venue and soccer court down near the Cotton Bowl. It looks fantastic and should make for a super cool pre-/post-game spot for AD fans.  Music by Pappy Check.

12/16/25 • 60:25

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick - try to get over having to do the podcast without Dan Crooke by dissecting the FC Dallas end-of-season press conference. It's the good, the bad, and the ugly. Much of it on repeat. Yes, 3-5-2; no, new center back, maybe some mids and forwards; "flexibility;" show don't tell; and much, much more. Plus, FCD looks to be adding a U22 central mid. Dallas Trinity got Lexi Missimo back and won. Things are moving in a good direction.  And Atletico Dallas is having a Block Party for the fans this weekend. Music by Pappy Check.

12/9/25 • 75:12

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, Peter Welpton and Dan Crooke rejoin Buzz Carrick, so the complete trio is on the mic. There's a whole lot of FC Dallas in this one, as most of the other teams in town aren't playing. Your hosts talk more roster building, give out some FCD season awards, and dig into tough questions like "can FCD keep Musa, is Norris ready, should the Burn sell Paess, and does FCD really need a center back? Dallas Trinity is back in action this weekend. Yeah! And Atletico Dallas is holding a Block Party on the 13th. Music by Pappy Check.

12/2/25 • 64:52

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, both Peter Welpton and Dan Crooke are out for the Thanksgiving Holidays, so Buzz Carrick is left to fly solo. Thankfully, Buzz made a call to the pen to bring in the lefty, FCD observer and and MLS capologist, Arman Kafai. So get ready, FC Dallas fans, for 90 minutes of intense soccer talk as Buzz and Arman get into salary cap, roster moves, MLS models, and the direction of the club.And if you are fan of the other pro soccer teams in town, don't get too upset. None of them are playing this week. Music by Pappy Check.

11/25/25 • 87:28

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - are waiting for FC Dallas roster moves. So in the meantime, they dig into the massive MLS news: the calendar flip and the changes to the Apple TV deal.  Dallas Trinity grabbed a big win at Spokane, spurred by the outstanding play of Foster in net and two teenage goal scorers. Can Trinity become a leader in this league in the next wave of talent and keep some of these outstanding Dallas kids? Atlético Dallas dropped a 3rd kit. The kings of merch gave fans another good one while still a year from playing.  And finally, the MASL season begins in 10 days, so poor one out for the Dallas Sidekicks. They'll be missed.  Music by Pappy Check.

11/18/25 • 64:54

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - dig into the FC Dallas offseason plan. What's next?  New tactics, new shape? What's the #1 must-do signing... and then what will they do? New DP or no? Two new DPs? Dallas Trinity is a mess, falling to 8th in a 9-team league. Is Atletico Dallas getting a training ground? And who the heck is Rodeo Soccer Club? Music by Pappy Check.

11/11/25 • 76:29

This week, on a marathon edition of 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - dig deep on the FC Dallas elimination game from the 2025 playoffs. There was so much good on display with just a bit of bad at the very end. Still, the display was inspiring in many ways, and yet still sad for a great many fans. So the next season is upon us, and that means it's time to kick it all off with our annual "Dump or Keep" game, as your hosts run through the roster and tell you who should stay and who should go.  Plus, Dallas Trinity is back at it against DC Power to kick off a 6-of-7-at-home stretch.  And Buzz talked to Texoma FC owner Ben Watson about what's next for the team.   Music by Pappy Check.

11/3/25 • 101:01

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - try to get cathartic about the most comprehensive defeat in franchise history. (Yes, seriously.) What went wrong? Was anything good?  Just how in the world does FCD compete with this Vancouver team? Can a few tweaks get them back into this thing?Dallas Trinity is back in action this weekend, sitting in 4th place on PPG. The season ended for Texoma FC and North Texas SC in very negative ways. And is anything happening with the two forthcoming USL sides?  Music by Pappy Check.

10/28/25 • 75:14

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast... playoffs!!! Your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - talk all things FC Dallas and the playoffs. How did the Burn save the season? How did they win in Vancouver, missing all those pieces? Can they keep winning? Where there's a Quill, there's a will! Sarver, Collodi, Julio, Cappis!  Now it's playoff time and the Burn go again against... *checks notes* Vancouver... But that's not all, Dallas Trinity smashed all kinds of records with 22 thousand at the Cotton Bowl against Club America. There's a lot of season left for the Golden Girls. North Texas SC was in a playoff battle, which wasn't looking good as the pod was recorded. Texoma FC fought hard in their penultimate game of 2025. And Garland is building the same thing without Atletico Dallas that they were going to build with Atletico Dallas. Music by Pappy Check.

10/20/25 • 84:52

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton and Buzz Carrick (no Dan Crooke) - break down the meltdown in LA - the red card, the brain farts, the mistakes - how it all could have been prevented, quality Quill moves, and what's left in playoff scenarios. And who the heck will play in the now massive season final in Vancouver this weekend?  FCD sure has put itself in a bind.Dallas Trinity's road woes continue, but the State Fair Classic is up next, and that should be tons of fun.  North Texas SC has its playoff opener this Sunday at "The Town." Could Sam Sarver play back-to-back games on Saturday/Sunday? Texoma FC won their final home game but were eliminated from the playoffs.And Buzz floats a name for an ambitious, statement-setting coach hire for Atletico Dallas. No, this isn't a news dump; it's just an on-fire coach idea. Music by Pappy Check.

10/14/25 • 75:38

This week on 3rd Degree the Podcast, your hosts - Peter Welpton, Dan Crooke, and Buzz Carrick - go long on the FC Dallas game and how they got to this point. How did the Burn go from being one of the worst in MLS to one of the best... or at least hottest? Lucho Acosta, Christian Cappis, Oz Urhoghide, and even a tactical change by Coach Eric Quill. Petar Musa might break the single-season scoring record. FCD goes against the Galaxy again this weekend in a must-win. Matt Hedges retired. Did Paxton Pomykal get a curtain call? Oh, and Buzz answers a couple of fan questions from 3rd Degree's Discord.  Plus, Dallas Trinity enjoyed, one assumes, a weekend off. They have Spokane next and then the big State Fair Classico. Sam Sarver had a hat trick for North Texas SC to get them into the playoffs. Texoma FC drew and fell to 12th. Dallas Atletico hosted Carli Lloyd, not that anyone knew about it.Music by Pappy Check.  

10/7/25 • 97:17