Dallas has long been a hotbed for youth soccer ....

... talent. Both my sons learned to play in Dallas. They were on organized team in kindergarten. They played all year -- Fall and Spring outdoor seasons, and Winter and Summer indoor seasons. The outdoor teams had professional skills coaches to supplement the dad coaches even at ages 8-10. My younger son's indoor team was selected via competitive tryouts at age 7 and coached by a former professional player. Lee Nguyen was on that team, and they were required to 'play up' two years in age.

It got crazier and more professional starting at U11. And all of this was well before there were Academy teams. There wasn't even an MLS.