Paxton Pomykal signed a contract in 2016 to considerable fanfare. A season in which FC Dallas lifted two trophies was winding down, so nobody expected the then-16-year-old to see much time.
He didn't.
Then came 2017, when he got into two games. And 2018, when he played even fewer minutes.
This season, Pomykal's chance has come, and the 19-year-old isn't about to let it slip away.
Already he has made four starts, played 377 minutes and scored two goals, both in a 4-2 win over Real Salt Lake last week. As FC Dallas travels to face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Pomykal's spot in the starting lineup seems secure.