Cheers from Cotton Bowl Stadium could be heard all throughout Dallas on Friday night, marking an historic moment for the city with the arrival of professional women’s soccer. The announcer’s booming voice announced the debut of the Trinity, Dallas’s first professional women’s soccer team, as they faced off against none other than Spain’s most dominant women’s football club, FC Barcelona. While the score – a 6-0 loss – was not in the Trinity's favor, the experience of competing against one of the world’s best teams will undoubtedly serve the franchise well in the long run.
A Milestone for Dallas Sports
Dallas fans were thrilled by the arrival of professional women’s soccer in the city. While Dallas has been a home to various women’s professional sports teams, women’s soccer has not yet made its mark in north Texas. The city has played a significant role in the development and promotion of women’s sports, contributing to broader acceptance and support for women athletes.
The journey to bring professional women’s soccer to Dallas has been a long time coming. Originally, investor Jim Neil sought to establish an NWSL expansion team in the city, recognizing the great potential of the local market. But ultimately, the franchise fee was too high. Despite these challenges, the Neil family, deeply rooted in Dallas and passionate about sports, recognized the city’s strength in soccer, its booming population, and vibrant sports cultures as major advantages. Neil emphasized the city’s readiness for a professional women’s soccer team, stating that “Dallas is one of the best sports cities in the world.”
The USL Super League, a professional women’s soccer league, was first announced in 2021. The league was established in part to develop a more direct youth to pro pathway for women players. The inaugural season kicked off on August 17th with 8 clubs, including the Dallas Trinity. President Amanda Vandervort wrote to fans ahead of the inaugural 2024 season, noting that the league “symbolizes progress, opportunity, and a shared commitment to advancing the women’s sports landscape.”
“It’s a childhood dream to actually share a field with them…It meant everything to represent Dallas and fight.”
An Electric Start
Although Friday’s match was only a friendly, more than 5,000 fans turned out, demonstrating the city’s enthusiasm for the Trinity's debut. The atmosphere at the Cotton Bowl was electric, with cheers resonating through the stadium. Reflecting on the game, Trinity player Hannah Davison said that “It’s a childhood dream to actually share a field with them…It meant everything to represent Dallas and fight.”
The Trinity roster features many home grown players, including Ciera Hintzmen, Hailey Davidson, Gracie Brian, Madison White, and Sam Estrada. This is a testament to the amazing local talent of the north Texas area. These players, many of whom grew up dreaming of moments like this, now have the opportunity to represent their city on the professional stage. “It's amazing that we can host [FC Barcelona]…women’s soccer has made great progress across the world,” said Amber Brooks, Trinity team captain with experience ranging from overseas to the NWSL.
In last week’s match against Tampa FC, Davison scored the first goal in Trinity history, a momentous occasion that will be remembered for years to come. Reflecting on the experience, Davison commented that “everybody knows the Cotton Bowl, especially from the American football games. To be able to play here is insane, especially for a team that’s just starting out and to draw a large amount of fans. Hopefully we can keep filling those seats. It’s very cool and has a great atmosphere.”
Looking Ahead
As the Trinity prepare for their first league home game against DC Power on September 7th, the excitement continues to build. The team is eager to prove themselves on the field and to solidify their place in Dallas’s sports history. With a strong foundation in place, the Trinity have the potential to not only succeed on the field, but also inspire the next generation of women athletes in Dallas and beyond. The arrival of professional women’s soccer in Dallas is more than just a new chapter – it’s the start of a legacy that will continue to grow, fueled by the passion and support of a city that loves its sports.
