Garland, Texas - The City of Garland is set to welcome their newest professional soccer team, USL Dallas, as announced by the United Soccer League for the upcoming 2027 season. The addition of USL Dallas to the USL Championship aims to bring high-quality competition, community involvement, and thrilling entertainment to Garland and its surrounding region.

Justin Papadakis, the USL Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Real Estate Officer, expressed excitement about welcoming men's professional soccer to Garland and integrating USL Dallas into the league. With Dallas known for its fervent soccer culture, the move to introduce a men's professional team aligns with USL's vision to expand the sport across all levels, expecting significant economic contributions and fostering a more vibrant North Texas community.

USL Dallas is spearheaded by co-founders Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, childhood acquaintances with a shared passion for soccer. Valentine, a Dallas entrepreneur with extensive expertise in corporate finance and investment strategy, will lead the club's strategic direction. Meanwhile, radio industry veteran Sam Morton assumes the role of Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing business facets such as marketing, communications, sponsorship, merchandising, and ticket sales.

"We are committed to utilizing this team to give back to the community, inspire young athletes, and enhance excitement and unity across North Texas," said Valentine, emphasizing their aspiration to create a platform that transcends soccer and benefits the local populace.

With an objective to establish a lasting soccer legacy in North Texas, Morton underlined his goal for USL Dallas to become the preferred choice for soccer aficionados in the area. Joined by Luther Ott and Dan McAlone, the collective mission is to build not just a competitive sports entity but a community-centric team that nurtures youth talent and unifies the North Texas region through soccer.

Garland, a city with approximately 250,000 residents, boasts a diverse community where soccer holds a significant cultural presence. Renowned for its industrial heritage and burgeoning business landscape, Garland is evolving into an entertainment hotspot for eastern DFW, making it a fitting home for USL Dallas.

Through a collaboration with the City of Garland, USL Dallas aims to stimulate economic growth and deliver entertainment to the city and its adjacent North Texas vicinity, promoting a shared aspiration of leveraging sports and community events to engender local engagement and lasting impacts.

Mayor Scott LeMay expressed confidence in the partnership, believing it will not only enhance residents' quality of life but also facilitate future economic prosperity and connections within the community and metroplex. Further development plans are set to be unveiled in the following months as USL Dallas and the City of Garland engage with local stakeholders, fans, and businesses to establish a club rooted in community values.

For more updates on the USL Championship, stay connected with USL Dallas’s journey as a promising addition to North Texas's soccer landscape.