Making its Texas-sized debut this fall, premier women’s soccer league, Dallas Trinity FC, has its eye on the prize. We tapped founder and president Charlie Neil, who, along with his entire family, has a heavy hand in this highly-anticipated entree, to learn more about what we can expect—on and off the field.
The Neil family celebrates the highly-anticipated brand/team launch at Klyde Warren Park
What excites you most about entering the Dallas Sports Scene? Dallas fans are diverse, passionate, and loyal and hold a high standard for their local sports teams—which we love! This club is providing a product that this region has never had but desperately needed: women’s professional soccer.
How did this dream become a reality? The Neil family is and always has been sports-crazy. My Dad played soccer and baseball in college. My brother Trip played soccer at Johns Hopkins University and holds the most career appearances of any U.S. Deaf Men’s National Team player in history. My sisters Dori and Jenny won state titles in soccer at Ursuline, and Jenny went on to play at Rhodes College. I played soccer and baseball at Yale and professional baseball for the Tigers and Cardinals. And our Mom, all along, was the glue that held this all together! We drove thousands of miles and committed countless hours to ensuring we all could pursue our dreams.
What excites you most about the league? Our players and the impact I know they will have on our local communities. These women are powerful, intelligent, talented, and inspiring people who play and live purposefully. They know they are stewards of the women’s sports movement, and I’m so excited for Dallas to feel their passion and love for what they do.
What can fans expect? Excitement and passion! I’m pleased to have this club be a living and breathing part of every corner of our local community— providing opportunities for youth players to experience the beautiful game, teaching lifelong lessons through sport, and opening the doors to the Cotton Bowl at an accessible price where families and people of all walks of life can be a part of a fun, vibrant and entertaining environment.
Photography by: FROM TOP: PHOTO BY KELLY ALEXANDER
