Soccer Parradigm #2

Soccer Parradigm is a collection of topics explored in detail by Deportes Nation founder Alex Parra. In this second edition, there’s a few USA vs. Mexico friendlies in store in women’s soccer and the countdown to 2026 continues.

Houston Dash vs Rayadas de Monterrey – As the NWSL season reaches its midpoint and the league takes a pause during the month of July.  The Houston Dash will host Rayadas from Liga MX Femenil for a friendly match.  The game will be held at Shell Energy Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Dash, guided by Coach Fabrice Gautrat, currently sit in 12^th place in the league standings. Coach Gautrat said that the match vs Rayadas was “a very important game, we want to make sure that we end on a good note, haven’t had the best form in the last couple of games, we definitely need to bounce back heading into the break and it’s a very important game”.

Rayadas are coached by Amelia Valverde and will be using the game as preparation for the start of the Apertura 2025 Season that kicks off on July 11^th.

State Fair Clásico – The USL Super League Dallas Trinity announced an international friendly versus Club América Femenil that will be held at Cotton Bowl Stadium on October 18, 2025, during the State Fair of Texas. 

Trip Neil, Founder and COO of Dallas Trinity said that “This is more than a game, it’s a celebration of women’s sports, and the powerful connection between Dallas and Mexico. We can’t wait to share this moment with our fans and our city.”

Women’s Sports Director of Club América, Claudia Carrion, stated that “the collaboration between passionate soccer clubs is key to developing women’s sport and helps us to keep improving our game. In addition, it will be an honor to be playing at the iconic State Fair of Texas, while we continue to decisively promote the Internationalization of América Femenil.” 

The Dallas Trinity is the first Div. 1 women’s soccer team in the Dallas area. The start of a new Fútbol tradition in the Metroplex?

World Cup Legacy for Houston – In a previous Soccer Parradigm, I mentioned that the Grow the game subcommittee of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee was focusing on identifying new field space and/or renovation of currently existing facilities. 

During the recent 1-year out celebration, Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 1, Rodney Ellis told me that FIFA “will make investments in inner-city neighborhoods, for free, they are going to help us organize more leagues.”

Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 3, Lesley Briones talked to me about the plan for fields in Harris County and said that the Grow the game program would “invest in fields across Harris County and Houston and help underserved youth have access to play soccer”.

We are all looking forward to the details and approach to Growing the game in Houston. Will have details when they are announced, stay tuned.

Houston Dynamo FC Unified Team – The Houston Dynamo FC United team recently took to the field at Shell Energy Stadium playing a match vs the Unified team representing FC Dallas. The team is supported by Dynamo & Dash Charities, MLS WORKS and Special Olympics to provide opportunities for amazing athletes. 

It was great to see Broadcaster, Dynamo Legend and 4-Time MLS Cup Champion, Eddie Robinson as a mentor with the team, offering of his experience to all the participants. This is just one of the many ways that Eddie continues to give back to the sport.  A big thank you to Val Holland with the Dynamo/Dash organization for her leadership in organizing and leading this amazing group of athletes. 

The team will play again on Saturday, June 28 vs Austin FC and then travel for a match vs Colorado Rapids in Commerce City, Colorado on September 13.  Let’s continue to support the Unified Team by donating to Houston Dynamo & Houston Dash Charities.

Houston Legacy join Surf Nation – It was recently announced that Houston Legacy Soccer Club has rebranded as Houston Surf and joined the nationwide Surf Nation Family. Club founder Lee Baker told me that the partnership “allows us to keep our autonomy, keep what we have done well” and offer “opportunities for our players, staff and families”.

Baker emphasized the importance of relationships, and it was through his friendship with former teammate and current San Diego Surf Director of Coaching, Josh Henderson, that the partnership came together quickly earlier this spring. Baker said that even though Legacy had grown without league platforms, the partnership with Surf opens even more opportunities for higher level leagues, tournaments and select teams. 

Baker added that “we are on the same mission we built at Legacy which is developing people first and players second and we are now able to provide the best of both worlds” by partnering with Surf Nation.  Houston now has a new member of the Surf Nation Family.

World Cup 26 Coverage – With the one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup coming to Houston, local, national and international media are continuing to cover the many different angles of such a monumental event.  Keep up with World Cup related news here via Deportes Nation/Soccer Tejas with our team that includes Laura Gomez, Victor Araiza, Daniela Rodriguez and yours truly. So many different angles to this story, from the teams that will play at NRG, to the plans for security, transportation and the FIFA Fan Festival in EaDo.

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