North Texas soccer is entering a new era with the launch of Atlético Dallas, a newly unveiled men’s professional team. The club is scheduled to begin play in 2027 as part of the USL Championship, the second division of the United Soccer League.
To support the club, the city of Garland proposed a $71 million stadium complex that would serve as the team’s home.
What Is Atlético Dallas?
Founded by lifelong friends Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, Atlético Dallas was born from a vision to unite North Texas through the global language of the game. With its branding, the club unveiled a striking visual identity built around Texas-inspired colors, Texas Topaz (light blue), Blackland Crude (black), Silver Ore (metallic silver) and white, and two fierce mascots: the Mexican Gray Wolf and the Rattlesnake.
“This brand launch is more than a name reveal — it's a declaration of who we are and what we stand for,” Matt Valentine, founder and chairman of Atlético Dallas, said in an official statement. “Atlético Dallas reflects our ambition, our roots in the game and our commitment to uniting the community through our shared love of soccer.”
As part of the announcement, the club also revealed that its youth arm will now operate as Atlético Dallas Youth. The rebrand follows a partnership with Renegades Soccer Club, bringing more than 2,500 youth athletes into the fold.
Garland Unveils Plans For New Soccer Complex
On May 19, Garland city staff presented a proposed lease agreement for a major new soccer complex and training facility during a city council work session.
The ambitious project is slated for a 65-acre site near the intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road. According to early plans, the complex would feature up to eight soccer fields, a 28,000-square-foot multipurpose building, and designated space for future mixed-use development.
In addition to serving as the training grounds for Atlético Dallas, the facility would also house the club’s youth academy.
“We're thrilled to see this energy and investment in Garland,” said Garland Mayor Scott LeMay. “Atlético Dallas represents the future of professional sports in our city, and we're proud to welcome the team as a greater part of our growing community.”
The proposal, which will go before the Garland City Council for a formal vote on June 3, carries an estimated cost of $71 million: $25 million for the soccer fields, $20 million for the multipurpose facility and $26 million for infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to Holford Road and an extension of Naaman Forest Boulevard.
More Big Soccer Moves In North Texas
In addition to Garland’s potential new stadium, FC Dallas is also getting some serious upgrades to Toyota Stadium in Frisco. In March 2025, FC Dallas and Cawley Partners kicked off a transformative $182 million renovation project, the most extensive in the stadium’s history.
The multi-phase overhaul is set to modernize nearly every aspect of the fan experience, including upgraded seating, revamped concessions and the addition of two new premium suite levels. The renovation will also boost the stadium’s overall capacity by more than 10% and nearly triple the number of club-level seats.
The timing is strategic. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Frisco, Garland and the greater North Texas region are bracing for a surge in international tourism and soccer fandom.
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