There are lots of people moving to Texas lately. So today let’s talk about what’s the best option for you when looking for soccer clubs in North Texas. If you just moved here from out-of-state you probably noticed that youth soccer here is different. It’s very competitive and high level. Dallas/Fort Worth arguably has the best youth soccer in America. Just this week a mom from L.A. whose family just moved here was saying how she thought Southern California was the most intense, but says Dallas is tied. It’s important to know that some of the smaller clubs have great teams and coaches therefore, don’t think the most popular clubs are always best. I personally train kids from all of the big clubs, so note that my company [GFT] is NOT affiliated with any club.
Top 5 soccer clubs in North Texas + 50 more
Below are the top 5 ranked soccer clubs in North Texas.
Then if you read further, you can click on the link with all the clubs registered under North Texas Soccer.
Find a team with a coach who will develop and build your kids character. There might be seasons where you have to take it as a learning lesson and move on the next season.
Don’t move on to a new team only because the team didn’t do well.
Some of the best teams at the U12 age group struggled to win at the U9. If you have a good coach and group of parents and kids stay.
It takes multiple years to develop and winning games at a young age should not be the main focus.
1) Solar Soccer Club
When you look at all ages, both boys and girls, Solar is pound for pound one of the best soccer clubs in North Texas.
From ages 7-8 all the way up to the U17 teams, they win lots of local and national championships.
It seems they are more about developing the players and club more than growing the numbers and teams. If you’re looking for one of the best soccer clubs in North Texas, Solar is one to check out.
On the girls side, Solar is the #1 team in Texas. Soccer Wire ranked them #2 in America & #1 overall/boys and girls. Note: these rankings are always changing, but the top clubs stay in the top 20 pretty consistently.
Boys side I would have to say #2 in Texas just because FCD boys ages 14-18 are the best in America. Soccer wire ranked Solar boys #10 best club in America.
Their training locations are spread out. Some of their best teams are in Tarrant County, others in Dallas County.
2) FC Dallas Youth Club
Obviously having the MLS pro team, FC Dallas is one of the biggest clubs in Texas.
When it comes to the older boys teams U14 – U18 FC Dallas is what most people in America would say is the best.
Soccer wire ranked the boys FCD as #1 club in America. They win the MLS Youth Academy league for most ages. These teams compete against the other MLS teams from New York to Los Angeles.
Girls FCD were recently ranked #15 in America.
When it comes to your younger kids U8 – U12 they have tons of choices. One age group probably has at least 4-5 teams in Collin County alone.
So if you tryout for “FC Dallas” you’ll probably make it, but for which team?
Main training location is in Frisco, TX.
3) Dallas Texans
One of the oldest and most established soccer clubs in North Texas, Dallas Texans does well with all ages, both boys and girls.
Some of the best pro players grew up playing for the Texans.
The Boys side is ranked #16 in America by Soccer Wire. Girls ranked #92. Any club in the top 100 is quality.
Growing up, this was the team to be for my generation. When I was in high school FC Dallas ( Previously Dallas Burn) and the MLS were just being launched. So for clubs like the Texans, it was easier to be the top dog.
The Texans main training location is in Farmers Branch, TX.
4) D’Feeters aka DKSC
The D’Feeters/DKSC has done well competing nationwide.
They used to be an all girls club and the model back in 2012 was that the coaches would only have 2 teams. The fees would be higher, but you were promised a coach for almost every game. This changed and now some of the coaches have 3-4+ teams.
In 2021 they ranked #31 and 2020, #35 in America of the top 100 girls clubs. DKSC will give some good choices if you want to be noticed.
Their main training location is in Farmers Branch, TX which is very central for the DFW area.
5) Sting Soccer Club
Sting is one of the best soccer clubs in North Texas also because of history. They have been around for decades.
For the longest time their brand was a all girls club. Then around 2017 or so they had the opportunity to take over a boys club.
At first the boys “Sting” was called the Titans, but now the full brand is Sting. You can do more research to learn more on this.
Girls side was recently ranked #52 best club in the U.S.
One of the older clubs, the history is very strong and many national championships have been won.
The main training location is in East Plano.
Small and mid size soccer clubs in North Texas
There are about 60 soccer clubs in North Texas. Some come and go, joining with bigger clubs to give players more “opportunity”.
The reason they join a top club is for exposure and easier growth. Some soccer parents want the big brand, so a with this comes easier recruitment.
Once kids are 13+ years old exposure does makes a difference.
The soccer clubs in North Texas that get invited to the big tournaments and showcases are the places players and parents want to be.
Click here to find 50+ registered soccer clubs competing in North Texas.
Some teams and players are located hours away driving 2-5 hours for practice and games. See locations of clubs at the bottom.
You can find some of the best coaches are employed at the smaller clubs. For ages 8-13 having a good coach for a smaller club is better than being on a big club with a coach who won’t develop you.
If you have no desire to play college soccer or compete at the highest levels in high school than it doesn’t matter what club or league you play in.
Way too many people care about what league or team they play for.
Why smaller towns struggle to compete with soccer clubs in north Texas
The level of play from West or East Texas is night and day compared to North Texas. In addition, South and Central Texas can’t compare to the north [Dallas/Fort Worth] area.
The Austin [Central] and Houston [South] level is good enough where they can stay and compete locally. Whereas in Midland, Amarillo, Lubbock, Wichita Falls [West] Tyler [East] Corpus Christi [South] have a harder time finding good competition.
When the best clubs teams in these smaller towns play teams from North Texas they realize the level is WAY different. And they don’t even play against the best teams. They might play a “big club” but that specific team might be in a 4th or 5th tier league.
So it’s important to know there’s a higher level. At the same time, be patient and know that the training is how you improve.
What to look for in a coach
Things you want to look for in a coach is someone who will build you child up not down.
Kids want to know the truth & how to improve, but in a respectful way.
When a coach is cursing a kid or never speaking positive there’s a problem.
I think improving should be number one. Fun should be at the top of the list, but not #1. First we need to learn and do our best to improve. These are life lessons.
Well run practices should be one of the most important things to look for.
At practice there shouldn’t be long lines of kids standing around.
Kids should be taught the importance of getting the fundamentals down. Trying to be perfect at the simple things, yet knowing we can’t be perfect players or people.
Then by age 11+ making sure they are being introduced to the more advanced skills.
I would bet that 90% of the top club players don’t know how to bend the ball, chip different ways or how to strike the ball with the laces [top of foot].
A players responsibility outside of team practice
The players responsibility is to take what they learn from their coaches and work on it away from the club.
Whether this be practicing at home or finding a good skills trainer.
Just know that coaches and skills trainers are not like buying a bottle of water, where the product is the same just a different brand.
When paying for a skills trainer, you won’t get the same quality from every trainer. For instance, some are really good and others don’t know what they are doing.
I’ve hired over 50 trainers in the last 12 years and you’d be surprised how many former college players have NO Clue how to teach youth players.
Being a good trainer takes patience, experience, understanding and passion. In other words it’s not easy to find a trainer who has all these attributes.
Above all you want a coach/trainer who will improve confidence and skill.
Soccer clubs in North Texas by county
Note: Some of these clubs have locations in different counties. For instance, a certain club can be in multiple counties, but most of the teams are in Dallas.
Other soccer clubs I recognize over the years are listed below. If your club wants to be added, feel free to email me.
The point of this article is to help soccer families find the best soccer clubs in North Texas for YOUR unique situation.
Collin County
- FC Dallas
- AYSES
- Frisco Fusion
- Dallas Roma FC
- American Academy of Soccer
Dallas County
- Solar
- D’Feeters / Kicks (DKSC)
- Texans
- Sting
- Renegades SC
- BVB International Academy
- Coppell FC
- Triumph
- Highland Park Scots
Tarrant County
- Fever
- Texas Xtreme
- Evolution
- Saints
- Mansfield Revolution
- Fort Worth FC
- Texas Lightning Soccer Club
Denton County
- North Texas Celtic
- Dallas Surf
- FC Legends Utd
Top clubs in other states
- Top youth soccer states in America
- Ohio
- Southern California [L.A. and San Diego area]
- Michigan
- New Jersey
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