How Atlético Dallas' Pro Soccer Facilities Will Give Garland, Texas, An 'Enormous Rallying Cry'

As soccer continues to surge in popularity across the U.S., the United Soccer League has unveiled a new men’s professional team that will be located in the heart of Garland, Texas: Atlético Dallas. 

Slated to begin its first official season in 2027, Atlético Dallas will be a member of the USL Championship, the league’s most elite level, where 24 clubs from all over the country compete for the USL Championship title.

By choosing Garland as its home, Atlético Dallas has become part of a passionate soccer community, said Andy Hesser, assistant city manager for the city of Garland.

North Texas is the nation's second-largest youth soccer market, with more than 200,000 children involved in the sport. The region will also host nine FIFA World Cup matches next year, including a semifinal.

“We started conversations with USL because they recognized that Dallas is a major sports market,” Hesser said. “USL has been very aggressive in growing their soccer league in competition with Major League Soccer, so they introduced us to several potential team owners, and we matched up really well.”

In November, the United Soccer League officially announced its plans to bring Atlético Dallas to Garland. Hesser said that deals as complex as this one can involve a lot of moving parts, but having the right partners from the beginning can make the process much more seamless. 

“These deals take a great deal of time and investment from a lot of different parties, so it has to be the perfect storm for everything to come together,” he said. “Our international demographics speak to a big soccer fan base. Couple that together with our willingness to really work with the team, and that put us as the front-runner for Atlético Dallas.”

Matt Valentine, founder and chairman of Atlético Dallas, said that when his team began looking for a home, Garland stood out immediately due to its commitment to revitalization, its diverse and growing population, and its welcoming civic leadership.

“Garland offered not just space but vision — a shared belief that soccer could be a catalyst for both economic development and community pride,” Valentine said.

The city of Garland and Atlético Dallas have revealed plans for a professional and youth training complex on a 13-acre commercial site at the intersection of Holford Road and the President George Bush Turnpike. The training facility will include as many as eight soccer fields, to be used by both professional and youth teams.

In fact, the USL is the only professional soccer organization to offer a structured youth-to-professional pathway for top local youth players looking to gain exposure. Atlético Dallas Youth, with nearly 3,000 players after going into partnership with the Renegades SC in Richardson, Texas, aims to be the region's top youth soccer club, headquartered at Soccer Spectrum in Richardson.

“Our new headquarters, training complex and public practice fields — soon to be built near Holford Road and the George Bush Turnpike — are just the beginning,” Valentine said. “We see Garland not only as a home base but as an active partner in creating opportunities for local businesses, young athletes and families across the area. This isn’t just where we play — it’s where we belong.”

Future plans for a stadium are being discussed and evaluated, so those interested should stay tuned for updates, Hesser added.

“We’re all working with developers to put together what we’re calling two economies: one related to the youth soccer and training environment, and then another economy related to the future stadium,” he said. “Hosting both of these facilities in our city will be an enormous opportunity.”

Hesser said the city’s goal is for several parcels along the Holford and Bush Turnpike corridor to be developed in a way that complements the soccer training facility. This may include an array of restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels and even mixed-use multifamily developments. 

According to Atlético Dallas, there can be a “significant economic impact associated with the introduction of USL clubs and stadiums.” The estimated impact to the local economy can range from between $50M and $200M annually, potentially creating dozens or hundreds of jobs. 

“A lot of things have evolved and pivoted throughout the process so far, so we can’t come up with an exact number just yet,” Hesser said. “But it’s safe to say that this development, along with any other ancillary development that comes with it, will be major for both full- and part-time employment.”

Hesser said Garland hasn't always been on the radar for development or redevelopment because it is a built-out city with few greenfield opportunities left. This project has completely challenged that notion, however.

USL Dallas and its facilities will help spur citywide demand for development. It will put Garland on the regional map for developers, he said.

“We’re telling developers that we’re open for business, and we want to find a pathway for development that is mutually beneficial, and we’ll work hard to remove any barriers to that,” he said. “We’re a proud, hardworking city, and having this professional soccer team will give us an enormous rallying cry. It makes people come together and excited to be part of Garland.”

This article was produced in collaboration between the city of Garland and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

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