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TEXAS ACADEMY LEAGUE
The Texas Academy League (TAL) is an independent youth soccer league founded by six leading clubs in Texas with a shared commitment to raising the standard of player development across the state.
Inspired by the structure and philosophy of MLS NEXT, TAL is designed to provide players with a high-performance environment that prioritizes development, meaningful competition, and a streamlined travel schedule—all within Texas.
Purpose & Creation
The Texas Academy League was created to:
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Deliver the highest level of youth competition available in Texas
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Support long-term player development in a professional-style environment
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Reduce unnecessary travel while maintaining elite competition standards
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Create a clear and consistent pathway for ambitious players
Founding Clubs
The league was established through collaboration between six leading Texas clubs:
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AC River
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Capital City Soccer Club
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Dallas Hornets
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GFI Academy (In Partnership with Rodeo Youth Academy)
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Houston Rangers
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IDEA Toros
These founding members also form the league’s technical committee, which oversees all technical standards, competition structure, and league development.
the Rodeo SC pathway.
League Structure & Vision
The Texas Academy League originally launched as Texas 2 in Fall 2024, before being renamed ahead of the 2025/26 season to better align with the Academy and Homegrown divisions of MLS NEXT.
This evolution reflects the league’s long-term vision of building a stronger, more unified development platform for top players in Texas.
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season and beyond, TAL will continue to focus on raising competitive standards while supporting player growth at every stage.
High School-Age Pathway
TAL also recognizes the importance of balancing development with traditional school soccer opportunities. Players at the high school age group will have the ability to participate in high school soccer, allowing them to continue their academic and athletic experience while remaining part of a high-level club environment.
Joining the Movement
Rodeo SC Youth proudly competes in the Texas Academy League as part of our commitment to providing players with a high-level development pathway and elite competition within Texas.
For players interested in joining our TAL teams, we encourage you to attend our upcoming tryouts and take the first step in
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