DALLAS, Texas (December 12, 2025) — This weekend, global soccer legend Patrice Evra and American soccer icon Kyle Martino will join Atlético Dallas to unveil two major milestones for the club and the city: the official U.S. launch of the PLAYER app, and a new investment in Dallas soccer infrastructure that will bring a street court, supporters bar, and expanded street soccer opportunities to the heart of Expo Park.
The announcement will take place at the Atlético Dallas Fútbol Block Party at 831 Exposition Ave on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 4-10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a media panel starting at 4 p.m. with interview opportunities available following a moderated Q&A session.
LINKEDIN FOR FOOTBALLERS
Described as “LinkedIn for footballers,” the PLAYER app is already widely used across the United Kingdom – from Premier League and EFL academies to lower-league clubs – connecting undiscovered players with professional and semi-professional opportunities. The U.S. launch expands of one of the world’s most promising talent discovery platforms into one of the fastest-growing soccer markets ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Launching PLAYER in the United States is a dream and part of our mission to shine a light on players everywhere. Dallas has an incredible soccer community, and I’m excited to give more young players the chance to be seen,” said Patrice Evra, Co-Founder, PLAYER. “With the World Cup coming, this is the perfect moment to open the door for a new generation.”
Evra is the former captain of Manchester United where he won five Premier League titles and the Champions League. He also made two FIFA World Cup appearances and captained the France national team in 2010. Evra is known not just as one of the greatest left-backs in professional soccer, but also for his leadership, work ethic, and passionate advocacy for underserved youth.
“The U.S. is overflowing with talent, and clubs everywhere are looking for new ways to find players beyond traditional scouting. PLAYER creates a digital talent pipeline that benefits both sides,” added Tommy Fish, Co-Founder & CEO, PLAYER. “Partnering with Atlético Dallas for this launch is a powerful first step in our U.S. journey.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Patrice Evra of Manchester United celebrate with the Premier League trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford on May 12, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Ferguson; Patrice Evra
PLAYER SHOWCASE MATCH — THIS SUNDAY
To mark the U.S. debut, PLAYER and Atlético Dallas will co-host an unsigned talent showcase match this Sunday, Dec. 14 at SMU’s Washburn Stadium at 11:00 a.m. The showcase will feature top unsigned players sourced through the PLAYER app, competing in front of scouts and evaluators from Atlético Dallas and other professional organizations. The Dallas showcase is the first step in PLAYER’s multi-city expansion strategy across the American soccer landscape.
MAKING SOCCER MORE ACCESSIBLE
While the PLAYER app expands digital access for talent discovery, Atlético Dallas and Street FC are also investing in the physical spaces where the game begins. The Expo Park development project demonstrates the shared vision between Atlético Dallas and Street FC to expand access to the game by building street courts across Dallas County – a vision that aligns perfectly with the goal of discovering new talent through the PLAYER app. The investment represents an opportunity to strengthen Dallas’ position as a global soccer destination. The project includes:
A new outdoor street court opening in Expo Park ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
A new soccer supporters bar — tentatively named The Den — opening later in 2026
A long-term plan to build street soccer courts across Dallas County, increasing access to the game in urban communities
Renderings of the proposed street soccer court at 831 Exposition Ave set to open in early summer 2026 and the adjacent supporters bar set to open later in 2026. Images provided by Atlético Dallas.
“Street football is the heart of the sport. These new courts and community spaces will energize Dallas and create more places for people to play,” said Kyle Martino, Founder of Street FC and new Atlético Dallas partner. “Pairing that with PLAYER gives players real opportunities to climb the ladder, whether they come from structured systems or from the street. This launch is the start of something big.”
Kyle Martino, founder of Street FC
“I grew up playing in the streets, not an academy, and I understand how important access is,” Evra added. “This project with Atlético Dallas — from the street court to PLAYER — is about opening the game to everyone.”
“We want every neighborhood in Dallas to feel connected to this club, and that means investing in spaces where people already live, gather, and play,” said Matt Valentine, Co-Founder & Chairman, Atlético Dallas. “Expo Park is the first step in our long-term commitment to make soccer accessible across the entire county.”
“Our vision is a Dallas where anyone, at any level, can step onto a soccer court,” added Sam Morton, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, Atlético Dallas. “These investments represent how serious we are about fulfilling our promises to the community. We are fully committed to building a supporter culture rooted in accessibility.”
ABOUT PLAYER
PLAYER is a global talent discovery platform designed to connect footballers directly with professional clubs, scouts, and agents. Founded by Patrice Evra and entrepreneur Tommy Fish, PLAYER provides a digital pathway for athletes to showcase their abilities while giving clubs unprecedented access to a diverse, international talent pool. PLAYER has helped dozens of players secure professional and semi-professional contracts across the U.K. and is now expanding throughout the United States. Visit https://join.playerapp.co/ to learn more.
ABOUT ATLÉTICO DALLAS
Atlético Dallas is a professional soccer team coming to the historic Cotton Bowl in 2027 as part of the USL Championship. Atlético Dallas was co-founded by lifelong friends and soccer enthusiasts Matt Valentine and Sam Morton with a mission to build community through professional soccer. The organization is committed to making soccer a sport for everyone and to inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders. Visit https://www.atleticodallas.com/ to learn more.
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