FRISCO, Texas — Columbia men's soccer alum Michael Collodi '23CC became the third player in program history to appear in a Major League Soccer (MLS) match. Collodi started in his debut on Saturday, helping lead his hometown team, FC Dallas, in a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
 
Collodi, a goalkeeper from Frisco, Texas, played all 90 minutes and made three saves for the clean sheet. He filled in for regular starter Maarten Paes — on international duty with Indonesia.

Collodi is the first Columbia player to appear in an MLS match since Leslie Fitzpatrick '01CC, who played in 18 games for Real Salt Lake during the 2005 season. Matt Napoleon '99CC also played in MLS from 1998-02.
 
After beginning his professional journey at North Texas SC of MLS Next Pro, Collodi was promoted to FC Dallas in January. The goalkeeper led North Texas SC to the 2024 MLS Next Pro Cup, defeating Philadelphia Union II, 3-2, at Toyota Stadium to win the title. As North Texas's primary goalkeeper, Collodi played in 33 games and started 23, earning seven clean sheets, making 89 saves and posting a 73-percent save percentage. He was named the MLS Next Pro Goalkeeper of the Year and voted into the 2024 MLS Next Pro Best XI.

FC DALLAS POSTGAME QUOTES
FC Dallas 1 – Real Salt Lake 0
Saturday, March 22, 2025
America First Field – Sandy, Utah
 
Head Coach Eric Quill 
Reaction to the game…
"… (Michael) Collodi, for me, what a game. With his feet, shot-stopping, dealing with crosses, I thought the kid was outstanding. He was my man of the match so I'm proud of him. It's not easy to come into a hostile environment and put on a performance like he did. Credit to him and he's got a big future. I'm proud of the performance of everyone. That's two wins and a tie in three games on the road and that's showing signs of warrior-type mentality and now we have to take care of business at home."

On the message to goalkeeper Michael Collodi before the game…
"I wrapped my arm around him and said 'hey, you've been grinding your whole life to play in big games. You just played in one three months back to win a championship. Don't be worried about any mistakes, you're going to be great. Do what you've done your whole life. Step up to the plate and deliver.' And just put his mind at ease, just play within yourself and be calm and do what the game gives you. Don't try to make more of the game than it is. And he did that, all night long. You could see his confidence rise throughout the game. The deeper balls he was playing to the wide areas, they were pinpoint. You're not doing that in your first game in MLS if you're not a big-time mentality. Luckily for us he was outstanding."
 
Goalkeeper Michael Collodi
On making his MLS debut…
"I was really happy to be out here and even happier to get the result. I'm super proud of the guys for having my back and me having theirs. It was a full team effort today."

On the win…
"It's really important, especially after not getting some results we wanted at home. Just to get out of that slump and take these three points back home with us—now we can fight against Kansas City to get three more points next week."

On facing Sporting Kansas City next week…
"We have to be hungry and push. It will be the kind of game we have to win. We have to show what we're about. We want to bring a win back home to our fans."
 
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