A new men's professional soccer team is coming to DFW, specifically Garland. Called USL Dallas, it'll be part of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, in partnership with the city of Garland, and according to a release, will be ready to kick off in early 2027.
It'll be the second men's soccer team in the region, joining FC Dallas a professional soccer club based in Frisco that plays in Major League Soccer (MLS).
USL Dallas will be a USL Championship club sanctioned as a men’s Division II professional team by the U.S. Soccer Federation. It joins the largest and fastest-growing professional soccer organization in the U.S., adding to a lineup of 24 teams, with more in development.
Co-founders Matt Valentine and Sam Morton met on a local soccer field as children. They are joined by fellow founders and friends Luther Ott and Dan MacAlone. Together, they aim to create not only a competitive sports franchise, but a community-driven team dedicated to empowering young athletes, fostering youth development, and bringing the North Texas community together through the power of soccer.
“This is a dream come true for us,” Valentine says in a statement. “We’re committed to using this team as a platform to give back to the community, inspire young athletes, and foster a new level of excitement and unity across North Texas.”
A Dallas-based entrepreneur with more than 25 years in corporate finance, capital markets, and investment strategy, Valentine will serve as Chairman, leading the club’s strategic direction across business and sporting operations.
Co-founder Morton is a long-time radio executive who will serve as Chief Commercial Officer to lead the development of the club’s business operations, including marketing, communications, sponsorship, merchandising, and ticketing.
“Soccer is the most exciting and most-watched sport in the world,” Morton says. “My goal is to establish a lasting legacy for soccer in North Texas, and I want USL Dallas to be the top choice for soccer fans in the region.”
Garland Mayor Scott LeMay says the partnership promises to create a lasting impact in the city of Garland.
“In Garland, we want to provide the best quality of life for our residents and visitors — a destination for all to live, work and play,” said Mayor Scott LeMay. “We feel confident this opportunity will not only bring unforgettable experiences, but also drive future economic growth and create connections across the community and metroplex.”
Garland is home to approximately 250,000 residents, for many of whom soccer is not just a game but a reflection of the city’s rich cultural mosaic. From the Garland Soccer Association, recently celebrating 50 years, to community clubs like Vietnam United Football Club, soccer has brought together residents of all backgrounds, uniting them through a shared love for the sport.
The soccer team will join Garland's many amenities including Lake Ray Hubbard, Firewheel Town Center outdoor shopping mall, Granville Performing Arts Center, Hawaiian Waters waterpark, Lakewood Brewing Company, and three PGA-caliber golf courses.
The USL was founded in 1986 and is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes three men’s leagues: the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional).
Women’s soccer includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league.
The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth competition. With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country.
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