Dallas-Fort Worth has long been considered a center for soccer. Indoor and outdoor, the sport found its place through youth teams, top-notch high school and college programs, recreational leagues for adults and more.
Over the years professional soccer teams have also peppered the region, including the Dallas Tornado, Dallas Sidekicks, Dallas Burn, and, of course, FC Dallas. Founded by legendary sports magnate Lamar Hunt, FC Dallas is now led by his sons Dan and Clark (Clark also runs the Kansas City Chiefs). The team is based north of Dallas in Frisco, along with the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars, and plays home games at Toyota Stadium. The FC Dallas complex is also home to the outstanding National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Lately, the landscape has changed. Welcome Dallas Trinity FC, the city’s first women’s professional team to reside in the Cotton Bowl. It’s a refreshing change of pace for a market historically dominated by the Cowboys, Stars and Mavericks.
Last May the team unveiled its logo to the press, a zippy new version of Pegasus, the fiery winged horse that stands tall within the city’s skyline.
Dallas Sports Commission president Monica Paul applauded the city’s involvement. "The future of soccer shines brightly in Dallas,” she said. “The decision to make the Cotton Bowl Stadium home to a USL Super League franchise underscores the city's commitment to sports as a catalyst in its potential to unite communities, inspire youth and captivate fans of all ages," she said.
The Cotton Bowl, which can seat over 90,000, represents the world’s largest venue to serve as a full-time home to a women’s pro sports team.
Dallasite Jim Neil is well-known as CEO of Churchill Capital Company, a local real estate investment firm. His children – two sons and two daughters – grew up in Preston Hollow, all playing soccer in one form or another. Neil’s purchase of the Dallas Trinity FC franchise was designed as a family affair. Neil’s daughter, Dori Neil Araiza is the team founder and principal, and all of the Neil children have important roles in the franchise.
Araiza recognizes that Dallas is a definitive sports city. “You’ve got every sport you just don’t have women’s soccer.” And she seems well aware of the various headwinds when it comes to starting a new team.
While the Dallas Wings continue to search for firm footing in the WNBA, Dallas Trinity FC got off to a solid start last August. The 2024-2025 season started with back-to-back tie scores against Tampa Bay Sun FC and DC Power FC, followed by a pair of wins against Lexington SC in Dallas, and in New York against Brooklyn FC.
“We’re trying to give ourselves a leg to stand on and show the city that we’re worth it,” she says. “We’re playing at the highest level that exists for women’s soccer.”
Araiza sees a unique void that Trinity FC can fill, as well as various opportunities. “We have more youth soccer players in North Texas than anywhere in the world,” she says. “There is clearly the demand.”
As for the other local sports teams, have they reached out to welcome Trinity to the fold? “Yes,” says Araiza. “Some, more than others. However, we are all in this together, and I think the teams recognize that when one does well, we all do well. And everyone has been new at something at some point.”
But spirits are high among players, coaches and staff, as well as in terms of growing a loyal fan base. “We’re trying to be strategic in how we are selling tickets, where we’re seating people, and how we generate longevity,” says Araiza. “When people come, they come back … so we hope that our fan base will continue to grow.”
This month the team plays a pair of home games on February 15 against Tampa Bay Sun FC, and then on February 22 versus Spokane Zephyr.
Trinity FC’s impressive lineup of talent consists of athletes from some top notch college programs, including SMU, Texas, Northwestern, LSU, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Virginia.
Several players are from North Texas, and a number logged time with international professional teams. Dallas Trinity FC coach, Pauline MacDonald has a solid reputation within the sport, and played for Scotland’s national team. “Our general manager, Chris Petrucelli, used to coach at SMU,” says Araiza.
As with most professional sports teams, winning cures all. Araiza seems well aware. “So far, I think the press has been fair,” she says. “It is a lot easier to get good press when you do well. And we’re playing well. I think that those things go hand in hand.”
In the case of Dallas Trinity FC, the march is just beginning. And it should be exciting to watch the journey unfold.
“We have more youth soccer players in North Texas than anywhere in the world. There is clearly the demand.”
-- Dori Neil Araiza
“Dallas is a sports city … you’ve got every sport you just don’t have women’s soccer.”
-- Dori Neil Araiza