Texoma FC, based in Sherman, Texas, kicked off its first professional season in USL League One in March 2025 at Historic Bearcat Stadium under the leadership of Sporting Director–Head Coach Adrian Forbes and President Ben Watson. As of the end of September, the club stood in a tight position in the league, as they were competing for a postseason bid.
From its humble beginning as nothing more than a dream, the club faced substantial challenges at the start of the season. From immigration to even the weather, it seemed that the inaugural season was destined to be nothing more than “an opportunity to build,” as one fan put it. After suffering a string of defeats and draws at the outset of play, the team coalesced and began to operate as a unit, winning several games in a row, including handing a defeat to last season’s champion. This moment would serve as the first league win in the club's history and kickstart the team's nine game unbeaten streak through the middle of the season.
Texoma FC's defense has generally held firm, though consistency remains a work in progress. As one fan notes, “One Knox has great defense, so the fact that Texoma was able to get five shots on goal is impressive.” Coach Forbes seems to emphasize cohesion: “I’m now building the squad to actually coach the squad as well, something you’d never see in the UK,” hinting at an emphasis on tactical growth.
One of the defensive highlights of the season has been goalkeeper Javier Garcia. Despite the 27 year old joining in February of this year, he didn’t make his league debut until May. Since then, Garcia has kept numerous clean sheets, been named USL League One Player of the Month for May, and set two USL League One records for most penalty saves in a season (five) and most penalty saves in a single match (two).
Goal-scoring started slowly but has gained substantial momentum. “Our biggest challenge this year will be scoring goals. We do great things in midfield, with little or no end product,” a supporter observed. Some matches ended in clean sheets without goals—strong defense but limited finishing. However, there are early flashes of attacking flair, with some later fixtures featuring three and four goals scored.
Forward Ajmeer Spengler has scored eight goals so far this season, in the top ten goalscorers of the league. His form earned him USL League One Player of the Week honors in Week 16. Englishman Luke McCormick has set the league alight this season, contributing to seven goals this season despite only joining in May. Twenty-four year old forward Brandon McManus is also making history for Texoma, becoming the first player in club history to score in every competition played this season (USL League One, USL Jägermeister Cup, and US Open Cup).
Early-season was riven with talk of turnover and pending arrivals: “As of the start of play, we had five players in other countries waiting on visas,” with expectations of defensive improvement upon their arrival. The coaching staff, led by Forbes, prioritized building squad cohesion before refining attacking transitions.
Adrian Forbes, transitioning from an English Premier League academy role, has both acknowledged the challenges of launching a new club and expressed optimism about its development. Pre-season, in a BBC interview, he said, “This is too good an opportunity to turn down” and expressed pride in shaping a brand‑new US club. Internally, he emphasized developmental steps, focusing on a process that involves implementing a playing philosophy, establishing training routines, and integrating signings like Asante and Pepi. A strong defensive shape is evident, and although the team has struggled to convert midfield control into consistent scoring, late-season performance suggests a trend towards increased conversion.
Texoma FC’s local impact has been swift. The club has averaged nearly 1,200 fans per match (with a 1,370 average attendance across all competitions), peaking at 3,209 spectators for the opener against One Knoxville on March 22 despite low attendance in the preseason.
Owners highlight long-term vision. CEO Jacob West stated: “Adrian’s impact on and off the pitch serves as a massive building block for the foundation we are laying here with Texoma FC.” President Ben Watson added, “Adrian resembles everything we have been interviewing for… We could not be more thrilled!” Their message has been clear: growth on the field and impact off it. The club’s slogan, “United For Soccer,” underscores a mission to unify the Texoma region through sport. The leadership team’s long-term vision includes a future purpose-built stadium, growth of the youth academy, and Texoma’s integration into the broader US soccer landscape.
Texoma FC’s inaugural USL League One campaign paints the picture of a club laying down solid roots. On the field, it's a story of resilient defense, flashes of attacking brilliance, and growing chemistry. Off-field, it’s a tale of visionaries with Forbes, West, and Watson aligning community, long-term infrastructure, and local pride. As summer gives in to autumn, Texoma faces the classic expansion-team crossroads: can they shift from character-building to consistent performance and sustained growth?
The foundation is in place. The following chapters will define whether Texoma FC becomes a competitive force and an enduring pillar in their community. Join us and be a part of something historic and fun for the whole family.
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