WFAA spoke with Collodi and his parents about what it means to become his hometown’s No. 1 keeper and his journey to get there.

PLANO, Texas — Little 5-year-old Michael Collodi had tons of energy and needed an outlet, according to his parents, Mike and Stacey. 

So, they resorted to a natural energy expender: signing their son up to run around on a soccer field.

Michael Collodi started his soccer journey in Frisco playing “five-a-side soccer” – a fast-paced, small-sided game featuring two teams of five – but they didn’t have goalies. After his first year, the local teams combined, and Michael got his first shot at playing goalie.

Michael’s dad, who played collegiately, helped his son learn the basics of goaltending.

“I know enough how to teach a 5-year-old to play goalie,” Mike Collodi joked.

The Collodi’s recorded Michael’s first moments in net and noticed their son’s talent. 

“Stacey said ‘hey, he’s really good.’ And I’m like, ‘yeah … he is.’,” Mike Collodi told WFAA. “We’ve always had a joke that God made [Michael] a goalie.”

From that moment on, Michael Collodi never left his calling. His goal was clear.

“I wanted to play professional (soccer) … how every kid is when they get into a sport,” Michael Collodi said. “Being able to do that and be in the position I am now is amazing. I’m super grateful for it.”

Watch both full interviews with Michael Collodi and his parents here:

Collodi gained more recognition from acclaimed youth clubs – like Solar SC, which has spawned numerous soccer talents – and eventually tried out for the FC Dallas youth academy, which has an impressive alumni base of its own. After being a four-year starter at Columbia University, Collodi signed his first professional contract back at home with North Texas SC, FC Dallas’ MLS Next Pro affiliate. 

His crowning achievement to date, in his own words, came with NTSC, winning the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup. He was also named the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year and into MLS NEXT Pro Best XI.

“There’s nothing like winning a trophy,” Michael Collodi told WFAA. 

For Mike and Stacey, it’s the collection of moments that they remember and hold on to, like his MLS debut. Despite being a road match against Real Salt Lake, they weren’t missing that moment for the world.

“We kind of had it circled on the calendar because we knew Maarten [Paes] was potentially going to be away on international duty,” Stacey said. “You know when those breaks are. You kind of can see when they’re coming. Of course, no guarantees. So we just kind of watched things play out.”

Collodi was only the second homegrown goalkeeper to play for FC Dallas in a competitive game. FC Dallas beat Real Salt Lake, 1-0, thanks to four saves by Collodi.

PHOTOS: Michael Collodi’s MLS debut for FC Dallas

International duty and injuries late in the season for Paes paved the way for Collodi to step up. And boy, did he take advantage of the opportunity. FC Dallas battled back from their injury bug and snuck in to the MLS Cup playoffs on Decision Day, thanks in part to another superb performance by Collodi.  

Collodi rode the hot streak into the playoffs and kept the club alive in the playoffs against Vancouver.

“I really enjoyed Decision Day and the playoffs of last year because [Michael] really stood on his head and played really, really well on those three matches,” Mike Collodi said.

The FCD keeper’s performance impressed MLS analyst Ross Smith, too, who was on the call for the series.

“[Collodi’s] reactionary saves are tremendous,” Smith told WFAA. “What the guy was able to get to was what stood out.”

In the offseason, FC Dallas opted to move on from Paes, who was FC Dallas’ No. 1 since he arrived, in favor of the homegrown Collodi. Paes was transferred to AFC Ajax of the Eredivisie, and Collodi’s time to be the new No. 1 had arrived. 

“Alright, we gotta come in and show that the stuff you were doing last year wasn’t anything out of the ordinary,” Michael Collodi said. “I’m here to be the one for this team and take us to trophies.”

Michael Collodi’s athletic play garnered him attention from longtime MLS pundit Matthew Doyle, who picked him as the 2026 Goalkeeper of the Year prediction. These goalkeepers are poised to represent the United States in the World Cup: USMNT No. 1 Matt Freese (NYCFC), former USMNT No. 1 Matt Turner (New England Revs) and other call-ups like Chris Brady (Chicago Fire) and Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati).

Collodi hasn’t received a senior team call-up to date, but that’s not impacting his self-confidence. He’s open about chasing that honor to represent the U.S. on a national stage.

“It’s something I’m chasing for sure, and something I think is not far out of reach,” Michael Collodi said. “Would have loved to have had more time to try and sneak in a roster spot before the World Cup, but you can’t control the timing. You just go out there and play the best I can.”