ACADEMY
ACADEMY
Elite youth soccer development in Dallas
The Atlético Dallas Academy is the official elite youth development program of Atlético Dallas designed to identify and train the most promising young players in North Texas, free of charge.
Talent Should Never Be Limited by Opportunity
Our mission is simple: remove financial barriers so talented players in Dallas and across North Texas can pursue the game at the highest level – regardless of background.
Unlike most elite youth soccer programs, the Atlético Dallas Academy is completely free for selected players. There are no club fees, no league fees, no coaching fees, and no uniform costs.
For many families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, elite youth soccer has become increasingly expensive. The Atlético Dallas Academy is designed to challenge that reality by providing a professional development environment that is accessible based on talent and dedication – not financial resources.
This initiative is both an investment in the future of our club and a meaningful way to give back to the North Texas soccer community.
Building the Future of the Game
From the beginning, Atlético Dallas has made clear its commitment to expanding opportunities for young players who are often shut out of the financially driven pay-to-play youth soccer system.
The Atlético Dallas Academy begins with carefully selected age groups that allow the club to focus on developing complete players through:
- Technical mastery and ball control
- Tactical understanding and game intelligence
- Athletic development and physical preparation
- Discipline, character, and leadership
- A lifelong love for the game
The Atlético Dallas Academy is the only free, professionally coached youth soccer academy in Dallas County. We are proud to provide a professional development pathway without the financial barriers that define most elite club programs.
By introducing players to the Atlético Dallas playing philosophy at an early age, the academy becomes an important part of the club’s long-term sporting vision. Atlético Dallas is creating a genuine professional development pathway for the next generation of North Texas talent.
Professional Coaching Leadership
The Atlético Dallas Academy will be led by coaches Iván Cifuentes and Carlos Indiano – both products of elite European football academies, including Atlético de Madrid and Valencia CF. Their combined experience brings a genuine professional standard to youth player development in Dallas.
Academy Age Groups
The Atlético Dallas Academy currently accepts players in the U9 and U10 age groups with plans to expand in future seasons. The inaugural class will launch with two foundational teams:
U10 Team
Birthdates: August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
U9 Team
Birthdates: August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018
The academy season will run from Fall 2026 through Spring 2027. Players selected for the program will participate in:
- Competitive matches typically held each weekend.
- Training three days per week
- Sessions lasting up to two hours
Register for Academy Tryouts
Players who demonstrate the ability, work ethic, and passion required for elite development will have the opportunity to train in a professional academy environment in Dallas designed to support their long-term growth both on and off the field.
Register today for the Atlético Dallas Academy – the newest free, professionally coached youth soccer academy in North Texas.
Tryout and Evaluation Process
All players must register to be considered for the Atlético Dallas Academy. After registration and identification, selected players will be invited to participate in open training sessions for evaluation. Not all who register will be invited to an evaluation session.
Identification and Evaluation Timeline
- Players identified and invited for evaluation will be contacted by April 1.
- Training sessions will take place between April 6 and May 22.
- Training sessions will be held 2–3 times per week.
- Players must attend at least one session to be evaluated and may be asked to attend additional sessions depending on performance.
Final roster selections for the two inaugural teams will be made by the end of May. Players selected for the Atlético Dallas Academy U9 and U10 teams will be notified by the Academy coaches or leadership via email or phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Selected players pay no uniform costs and no fees for club, league or coaches. There are no major travel expenses expected at this time. The Atlético Dallas Academy is designed to make top-level youth soccer development accessible to players based on talent and dedication, not financial resources.
A soccer academy is a structured, professional development program designed specifically to prepare players for a future in competitive or professional soccer. Unlike recreational or standard club teams, the Atlético Dallas Academy provides professional coaching, a defined development curriculum, and a long-term sporting pathway — all within the official structure of a professional soccer club.
Registration is open now. Simply click the ‘Register for Academy Tryouts’ button on this page to complete the registration form. After registering, selected players will be contacted by April 1 with an invitation to attend open training sessions.
The inaugural academy accepts players in the U9 and U10 age groups. U10 players must be born between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017. U9 players must be born between August 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018. Additional age groups are planned for future seasons.
Open training sessions for evaluation will take place between April 6 and May 22, 2026, held 2–3 times per week. Players must attend at least one session to be considered. Final roster selections will be made by the end of May.
The Atlético Dallas Academy is based in Dallas, Texas, serving the greater North Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth soccer community. Training will be held at the Dallas Soccer Park at Elm Fork (formerly known as MoneyGram Soccer Park) located at 2100 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, TX 75229.
