FC Dallas announced on Saturday, July 1 that their youth development program has changed its name from FC Texas to FC Dallas. The change in name was in conjunction with the beginning of tryouts and registration for the upcoming year. The youth teams will continue to wear the same adidas red and white 'hoops' uniform as the professional team, and will also wear the official FC Dallas logo.
One of the largest soccer clubs in the North Texas State Soccer Association (NTSSA), the FC Dallas youth program has 70 male and female teams that participate in every age group from U-11 to U-19. The program also includes the FC Dallas Youth Academy which has 40 teams that participate in the U-7 to U-10 age groups.
Originally known as Dallas Inter Soccer Club, the club and FC Dallas entered into an affiliation agreement in June of 2005 which saw the name change to FC Texas and the teams wearing the FC Dallas uniform and colors. The agreement gave FC Dallas the first fully integrated vertical player development system in Major League Soccer (youth team in all age categories).
The FC Dallas youth teams play in leagues throughout the Metroplex, including the Chamber Classic Soccer Alliance or the Lake Highlands Girl's Classic League. The club has had great success at all levels, as shown by the FC Texas 88 Black winning the U-19 Championship in the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup this past April. Currently, the 89 and 91 Girls teams are participating in the U.S Youth Soccer Regional 3 Championships in New Orleans.
As part of the alliance, the youth program will train at the Pizza Hut Park complex, interact with players and coaches from the professional team and attend FC Dallas games.
