By OkayGoal 
Almost everyone has heard the phrases “Don’t mess with Texas!” and “Everything is bigger in Texas!” Well, such phrases suit the girl’s soccer development programs in the state. As Texas is the largest state in the US, there happens to be a variety of excellent girl’s soccer development programs. Here we’ll dive into the top 5 youth clubs in Texas.
FC Dallas
Stemming from the Frisco area, FC Dallas Girls Youth Program is an excellent engine that drives players forward in soccer skills and knowledge. From successful trips in tournaments to being a notable program in the ENCL, FC Dallas continues to be a glimmering place for girls in Texas to develop exponentially.
Many players leave the FC Dallas program ready to excel as collegiate players and eventually hit the big stage. Whether it be call-ups to national teams or signing contracts for professional clubs, FC Dallas prepares players to excel at the highest levels of soccer. Most recently, Trinity Armstrong is a prime example of the high-caliber players that FC Dallas develops. Armstrong signed her professional contract with the San Diego Wave at just 17 years old! We are destined to see more players from this program rise to higher levels of play.
Solar SC
Solar SC is based out of Allen, TX. This program continues to impress with top 5 rankings across all of their age groups. Currently, the U15 and U16 are ranked at #2, U17 is ranked at #3, and U18/19 is ranked at #5 according to Top Drawer Soccer. With this said, Solar SC is an efficient pipeline for players to develop and then progress to the collegiate and professional level.
Some college commitments to come from Solar SC include Rylee McLanahan, who will play at Duke, and Anna Maher, who committed to playing for the University of Rhode Island. Speaking of McLanahan, she is a standout player for the U19 USYNT who is sure to rise to the occasion for the Blue Devils. Aside from these two, 15 Solar SC members populate the USYNT player pool across U14 and U19 age groups.
Sting SC
There is a rich history for the Sting SC as this program resides as the largest and oldest all-girls soccer development program in Texas. Not only has its existence impacted the growth of soccer for girls in Texas, but Sting SC has various locations across the state. From the Northern, Southern, Western, and even Austin areas, Sting SC is spread across Texas, empowering girls with excellent soccer knowledge and skills.
Sting SC is in for an exciting season ahead with many players in the program verbally committing to collegiate programs. 5 out of 6 players from the Austin Sting have verbally committed to colleges, including Libby Benson who will play for UTSA.
Challenge SC
Headquartered in Tomball, Texas, Challenge SC remains a top destination for girls who aim to sharpen their soccer skills in the Houston area. Challenge SC continues to rank in the top 30 of clubs in the nation. The club also continues to evolve with the current trends in women’s soccer while remaining a resourceful program for many players and soccer clubs alike.
Throughout late spring and this upcoming summer, Challenge SC will compete in the pre-professional USL W League. Matches are scheduled, and Challenge SC is gearing up for the high-level competition. Along with this, Challenge SC will host the Texas Shootout Showcase. This tournament allows young girls to experience exposure to various development programs and build connections.
Lonestar SC
While the clubs discussed above have had experience in the ENCL Girls section, Lonestar SC recently received a promotion to be a part of the ECNL Girls league. The commitment to excellence both on and off the field has truly paved the way for the Lonestar SC club to raise its goals to new heights. Until the full transition later this year, Lonestar SC will continue to compete in the ECNL RL.
Along with the inclusion in the ECNL Girls league, there is a lot to look forward to for Lonestar SC. Later this spring, Lonestar SC Austin will compete in the USL W. Also, Lonestar will participate in a Spring Shootout tournament and a College ID Clinic. Try-out dates are also set for late spring. With so much in sight, there’s no doubt Lonestar SC’s future is destined to be bright.
Featured image via @solarsoccerclub