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GARLAND, Texas — The United Soccer League (USL) and the city of Garland announced Tuesday that USL Dallas, North Texas’s newest professional soccer team, will join the USL Championship for the 2027 season.
The announcement of the USL expansion team adds to the ever-growing portfolio of professional teams in DFW.
“We are thrilled to bring men’s professional soccer to the City of Garland and welcome USL Dallas to the USL Championship,” said Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Real Estate Officer. “Dallas has an incredibly passionate soccer culture, and adding a men’s professional club is a natural extension of the USL’s vision to grow the sport at all levels. We’re confident that the partnership with USL Dallas and the City of Garland will provide significant economic benefits and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant North Texas community.”
USL Dallas adds to the 23-team league, which has another seven additions to come in the future. USL Championship clubs also compete in the historic Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup alongside MLS clubs and MLS NEXT Pro teams. USL Championship club Indy Eleven made it all the way to the semifinal round. Sacramento Republic FC and New Mexico United both made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
USL Dallas will be led by co-founders Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, who met on a local soccer field as children. Matt Valentine – a Dallas-based entrepreneur with over 25 years in corporate finance, capital markets, and investment strategy – will be leading the club’s strategic direction across business and sporting operations, according to a league press release. Co-founder and long-time radio executive, Sam Morton, will serve as the Chief Commercial Officer to lead the development of the club’s business operations, including marketing, communications, sponsorship, merchandising, and ticketing, the release added.
“This is a dream come true for us,” said Valentine. “We’re committed to using this team as a platform to give back to the community, inspire young athletes, and foster a new level of excitement and unity across North Texas.”
“Soccer is the most exciting and most-watched sport in the world,” said Morton. “My goal is to establish a lasting legacy for soccer in North Texas and I want USL Dallas to be the top choice for soccer fans in the region.”
Valentine and Morton are joined by fellow founders and friends Luther Ott and Dan McAlone.
USL Dallas partnered with the City of Garland to establish a team “that will bring new economic growth and entertainment to the city and the surrounding North Texas area,” the release stated.
“In Garland, we want to provide the best quality of life for our residents and visitors — a destination for all to live, work and play,” said Garland Mayor Scott LeMay. “We feel confident this opportunity will not only bring unforgettable experiences but also drive future economic growth and create connections across the community and metroplex.”
More development plans will be shared in the coming months as USL Dallas and the City of Garland engage with local fans, partners and businesses in their mission to build a community-centric club.
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