FC Dallas. Combining a youth soccer club with a rich and respected history and an organization gearing up for an opening of a world-class soccer facility and you have a partnership looking to move mountains.
"We're excited to affiliate with -- and bring our resources to -- a youth club with the stature and tradition of Dallas Inter," said FC Dallas President and General Manager Greg Elliott. "The Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center provides us a significant opportunity to elevate soccer at all levels throughout North Texas."
Dallas Inter is the second largest soccer club in the North Texas State Soccer Association (NTSSA) with approximately 45 male and female teams. The teams are spread out over the Metroplex and many of them play in the Chamber Classic Soccer Alliance or the Lake Highlands Girl's Classic League. Inter has had numerous teams win the CCSA and LHSA championships, as well as other state and regional championships.
Dallas Inter Soccer Club President Terry Oxford commented on the association as follows: "This is a fine opportunity for our players and coaches to be affiliated with the FC Dallas professional soccer team. The resources they offer will provide Dallas Inter the basis to be the best youth club in North Texas and permit us to provide the finest in services and facilities to our membership."
Founded in 1991, Dallas Inter fielded eight boys teams and one semi-professional team during its first year. They attracted one of the areas best youth coaches in Charlie Delong and, with the help of area coaches, Dallas Inter became a legitimate club in Dallas during that first year. Charlie Delong's 76 team won state cup, regional and went on to Nationals. By year two, Dallas Inter had two state cup champions with the 76 team and the 81 team.
Over the past 14 years, Dallas Inter has continued to strive to meet the objectives they set out to accomplish in 1991. The club has hired coaches from Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil. These influences have led to a tremendous player diversity that remains in the club today. Not only that, but in the mid 1990's, Dallas Inter started an exchange program where families from the youth club could host an international player for the year. By establishing these international relationships the club has been able to send its players abroad to clubs like Santos and Cruzeiro in Brazil.
Dallas Inter has steadily grown over the past 14 years and will continue to grow through this relationship with FC Dallas. This growth will include a name change to "FC Texas" on July 1, 2005, which date coincides with the beginning of tryouts for the new soccer year. Below is a list of some of the benefits the FC Texas Soccer Club will receive as part of its affiliation with FC Dallas:
• Teams will wear red and white hoops jerseys similar to FC Dallas with its own distinct crest and logo.
• Teams will practice at the world class Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center.
• All players will receive a season ticket package to FC Dallas home matches.
• All players will have interaction with FC Dallas players and coaches.
• All teams will have the opportunity to compete in high level tournaments around the country through its affiliation with Major League Soccer, FC Dallas and the International equipment supplier adidas.
• The FC Texas coaches will be participants in running the FC Texas camps program.
