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Houston Kick-Off Soccer Magazine

May - 2009 Page 9

Dallas Texans Coming To Houston
Written by Gina Ciancone

Dallas Texans Soccer Club merged in April 2009 with Houston-based soccer teams Texans FC, Texas Premier, and Pursuit Soccer Club. Modeled after the Texans Soccer Club, Dallas Texans Soccer Club has become one of the country’s most prestigious boys youth soccer association.

“By coming together, we have created more opportunities and recourses for youth soccer players,” Dallas Texans owner Hassan Nazari said.

Nazari, a former Olympian for Iran’s national soccer team, believes that merging clubs allows for more exchange of ideas to take place within the two organizations whereas a club take-over only provides one set of ideas.

“[By merging with Houston clubs] we brought to the table more opportunities to the kids,” Nazari said. “Houston has many good coaches and trainers that we work with.”

Houston’s girls youth Pursuit Soccer Club is now under the same banner as Dallas Texans and operates under the name Dallas Texans Houston Girls.

Previously, a merger between the Texans, Classics, and Challenge Soccer Clubs in 2004 was attempted, but ultimately ended with little success. In 2005 Texans FC formed 21 teams following the failed merger. Texans FC thrived, sending more teams to the Region III Championships than any other Houston-based club.

In 2008 Texans FC began considering a merger with Dallas Texans, and after lengthy consideration, ultimately agreed to the merger. Texans FC will now flourish under the Dallas Texans banner comparable to Pursuit Soccer Club.

“There have been many clubs I have been impressed with,” Nazari said. “When we look to merge with a new club we must take into consideration what is in the best interest of the players.”

Dallas Texans has also merged with clubs from San Antonio, Austin, Florida, and has an affiliation in Ottawa, Canada. Recently, they have been approached about merging with clubs from Georgia and Ohio.

“The qualification we look for when merging with a club is the trust between us and the club,” Nazari said. “We must also make sure that we have shared interests and goals.”

With the new Houston additions to the Dallas Texans franchise, players from these clubs will have the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned soccer professionals through Dallas Texans partnership with Manchester United.

“Through our relationship with Nike, we are able to have a relationship with one of the best professional clubs in the world,” Nazari said. “Because of the Dallas Texans success we can let our top players train with Manchester United.”

Due to their relationship with Manchester United, Dallas Texans are not only able to send their top players to England to train, but are also able to provide parents and players with professional information and training. Coaches and trainers from the English soccer club travel to Dallas to instruct players in soccer skills and hold information seminars with parents.

“We have two coaches coming from the Manchester United Academy in June,” Nazari said. “It’s good for the growth of soccer in America and it’s good for the club.”

May
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