Player Spotlights Archives - Dallas Surf Soccer Club

MLS Next Academy Division – A New Era for Dallas Surf Soccer Club

Melissa Schwartz — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:37:38 +0000

Girls Academy Season Recap

A Strong Finish to Our Inaugural Season

Dallas Surf’s 2009 and 2010 Girls Academy teams closed our first GA season with undefeated performances at the Summer Playoffs and Showcase in Norco, California.

Dallas Surf 2009 Girls Academy players competing in Norco, California.

Summer Playoffs and Showcase

Undefeated in Norco

Our 2009 and 2010 Girls Academy teams wrapped up Dallas Surf’s inaugural season in the Girls Academy League with an outstanding performance at the GA Summer Playoffs and Showcase in Norco, California.

Both teams finished the event undefeated and earned the top spot in their respective groups. The performances reflected the progress, commitment, and growth shown by both groups throughout our first Girls Academy season.

The event also gave our players another opportunity to compete on a national stage, test themselves against strong opposition, and showcase how far they have come since the beginning of our GA journey.

Two teams. Two undefeated group finishes. One proud end to our inaugural Girls Academy season.

The Dallas Surf 2010 Girls Academy team in Norco.

Growth Across the Season

Progress We Could See

The results in California were an important achievement, but they also represented something larger. Both teams demonstrated the progress they had made across the season as individuals and as groups.

Players showed greater confidence, stronger relationships, and a clearer understanding of how they wanted to compete. That growth was the result of the work invested by players, coaches, and families throughout the year.

College Exposure

Valuable Opportunities Beyond the Field

The recruiting opportunities at the showcase were equally impressive. More than 85 college programs attended our games, providing valuable exposure for our athletes as they continue through the recruiting process.

NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior College programs from across the country were represented on the sidelines. For our players, this created opportunities to be seen, learn more about the college game, and better understand the different pathways available to them.

85+

College programs attended games during the GA Summer Playoffs and Showcase.

Players taking part in a college advisory discussion during the showcase.

College coaches sharing insight and guidance with athletes at the GA Showcase.

Looking Ahead

Building Toward Year Two

As we close the chapter on our first year in the Girls Academy, we could not be prouder of what our players, coaches, and families have accomplished together.

While we celebrate the progress we have made, our focus remains firmly on continued growth, development, and raising the standard as we move into Year Two.

The foundation has been established. The next challenge is to build upon it, continue improving the daily environment, and create even more opportunities for our players.

The future of Dallas Surf Girls Academy is bright, and we are excited for what comes next.

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Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase

Melissa Schwartz — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:26:15 +0000

Dallas Surf GA players invited to attend the GA Frontier Conference Talent ID Showcase

Several Dallas Surf players were recently invited to attend the Girls Academy Frontier Conference Talent ID Showcase, an event that brings together top players from clubs across the conference.

The showcase provides a valuable platform for athletes to compete at an elite level while being observed by college coaches, Girls Academy staff, and U.S. Youth Soccer scouts.

Selections for this event recognize players who are consistently performing at a high level within their club environment.

Competing Among the Top Players

Events like the Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase are designed to identify and support players who are demonstrating the ability to compete at the highest levels of youth soccer.

For our players, this experience provides an opportunity to step into a new environment, challenge themselves against strong competition, and continue progressing within the national Girls Academy pathway.

Recognition at this level is not only a reflection of individual dedication, but also a sign of the continued growth of the Dallas Surf girls program.

We are thrilled to see our athletes gaining exposure to college recruitment and national scouting networks so early in our GA journey. Their participation highlights the pathway we are building for young female players to pursue their soccer dreams at the next level.

Congratulations to our eight Dallas Surf representatives—you are paving the way for future generations and showing what’s possible when talent, commitment, and opportunity come together.

Dallas Surf Players Selected

We are proud to recognize the Dallas Surf players selected for this Girls Academy Talent ID Showcase:

2012 Mia Naranjo	2011 Avelie Reyes
2012 Camila Molina	2010 Grace Garrison
2012 Elena Benitez	2010 Landyn Heisserer
2011 Parker Meyer	2008 Addison Lee

Congratulations to each of these players for representing Dallas Surf at this event.

Their selection reflects the commitment, work ethic, and development they demonstrate every day in training and competition.

Strong Locally. Competitive Nationally.

The Girls Academy platform continues to create meaningful opportunities for our players, and we are proud to see Dallas Surf athletes recognized at events like the GA Frontier Conference Talent ID Showcase.

Congratulations again to the players who represented our club.

We look forward to continuing to see their development and success within the Girls Academy.

For our Dallas Surf members, the Girls Academy is more than a schedule of games. It’s a competitive environment that challenges players, exposes them to new demands, and supports long term development. We’re proud to provide this pathway for our families and proud of how our players continue to rise to the challenge.

For more information on the platform, click here.

Questions? Contact our GA Director, Nick Heisserer – nheisserer@dallassurf.com

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Surf Select National Weekend: Player Spotlight

Melissa Schwartz — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:14:06 +0000

Surf Select National Weekend

Dallas Surf Represented on the National Stage

Over 50 Dallas Surf players traveled to San Diego for Surf Select National Weekend, stepping into one of the most competitive environments within Surf Nation.

Across multiple age groups and events, our players represented Dallas on a national stage.

This weekend was not just about competition.

It was about earning opportunities.

First, What Is Surf Select?

Surf Select is a national identification program for players aged U9–U17 who have the talent, drive, and ambition to compete against the “Best of the Best.”

Through regional tryouts and national events, players are identified to represent Surf Select teams and compete in some of the top domestic and international youth soccer competitions.

Players progress through several stages of identification and evaluation, with opportunities to earn places on Surf Select National Teams.

You can learn more about the full program here.

Surf Select National Weekend

Players selected from Surf Select regional tryouts are invited to San Diego to compete and train in front of Surf Select national staff.

Depending on their age group, players are evaluated through three main pathways:

Champions League – U14

Regional Cup – U12 & U13

National Tryouts – U9–U11

Now, back to what happened in San Diego.

Surf Nation Champions League

The Surf Champions League brings together the top U14 Surf teams from across the entire Surf Nation network.

These teams compete at Surf Sports Park in San Diego, facing elite competition while being evaluated by Surf Select scouts and national staff.

Our Dallas Surf 2012 Girls team was selected through internal tryouts in Dallas. Players from five different Dallas Surf teams came together to represent the club in San Diego.

Despite not being a current team, the group quickly developed strong chemistry and competitive drive.

Their run was impressive.

Dallas Surf advanced all the way to the Championship Final, narrowly missing the title.

Making the final of this event is a major achievement and a strong sign of the quality being developed within Dallas Surf.

Surf Select – Regional Cup

Competing for a National Roster

More than 30 Dallas Surf players from the 2012 and 2013 age groups earned selection through the Surf Select regional tryout process.

This alone is a significant accomplishment, placing them among the top players within their region.

In San Diego, these players competed alongside and against players from Surf clubs across the country, representing the seven Surf Select regions.

For these players, the objective is clear:

Earn a place on a Surf Select National roster.

This pathway is earned, not given.

Regional selection.

National competition.

National roster opportunity.

Our players embraced the challenge and represented Dallas Surf exceptionally well.

National Tryouts

2015–2017 Age Groups

For our U9–U11 age groups, more than 20 Dallas Surf players were selected to attend Surf Select National Tryouts.

Over three days in San Diego, players trained and competed under Surf National staff while being evaluated for selection onto Surf Select National Teams.

The experience included:

High level coaching
Exposure to national standards
Training alongside top players from across the country

Selection is competitive.

Standards are high.

Expectations are clear.

What This Really Means

Surf Select National Weekend is not just a single event.

Surf Select National teams compete throughout the year in regional, national, and international tournaments.

For many players, this weekend is the first step into a much larger pathway.

For Dallas Surf, having over 60 players represented is a powerful reflection of the strength of what we are building locally while being connected nationally.

Our players are not limited to North Texas.

They are stepping into environments that challenge them, stretch them, and accelerate their development.

Strong Locally. Competitive Nationally.

We are proud of every player who represented Dallas Surf in San Diego.

These experiences raise standards.

They accelerate development.

They expand opportunity.

And they reinforce what it means to be part of Surf Nation.

For those that make it, they have the chance to travel to some of the best tournaments both nationally and internationally. Click here to learn more and see the full schedule of events.

More photos from the event

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More Than the Game: Dallas Surf 11G East Making an Impact On and Off the Field

Melissa Schwartz — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:12:14 +0000

The Dallas Surf 11G East team is setting the standard for what it means to lead with purpose.

Guided by Coaches Thomas Pollard and Rendell Hendrickson, the girls have made community service part of their weekly routine, volunteering with younger teams and finding ways to give back beyond the field.

The 11G East team’s commitment to mentoring younger players and supporting local families reflects our core value of Unity. Their actions have built a genuine sense of community and shown real selflessness.

Their example reminds us that soccer isn’t just about the results. It’s about the people we share it with and the impact we can make through the game.

💙 Big Sisters on the Field

Each week, the 11G East players volunteer as helpers for a younger team known as ‘the Littles’. They show up early before their own practice to support coaches, run activities, and guide the younger players with patience and encouragement.

Coach Thomas and Coach Mack pair each little with a big, creating mentorship moments that go far beyond soccer. One parent described it perfectly.

“As a mom, it warms my heart to see teenage girls being such positive role models—showing patience, kindness, and genuine joy while helping 5-year-olds fall in love with soccer…The older girls remember every little one’s name. They make them laugh, give them high fives, dance with them, and make each one feel like they belong. My daughter looks forward to practicing every single week knowing the big girls will be there…I know how busy these girls are with school, soccer, and life, so the fact that they choose to show up early to help at our practices means the world to me. I couldn’t ask for better role models for my daughter and her teammates. Though she’s an only child, I often tell my husband that thanks to the Surf 2011 girls, our daughter now has 18 “big sisters.”

For many of the younger players, those small moments have become the highlight of their week — and the older girls are learning just as much in return.

“My favorite part of helping out with the Littles is seeing their pure excitement for soccer. Knowing I’m a role model for them makes me want to be better.” – Lucy #31

“I like helping the littles because I love working with kids and they are so funny.” – Lola #24

Giving Back Beyond Soccer

The team’s dedication to service doesn’t stop when training ends. Each year, they volunteer at Feed My Starving Children, packing meals for families in need around the world. Closer to home, they’ve supported North Texas Feed the Need, preparing and delivering lunches to local families.

These experiences have shown the players that teamwork and leadership go further than the game. They’re learned through helping others and giving back to the community around them.

Through these ongoing efforts, the Dallas Surf 11G team are setting an inspiring example for others in their community. We asked a few of our players what it meant for them to serve. Here is what they said:

“I really enjoyed getting to help others and spending time with my teammates. By packing and delivering food, I know that many people were impacted.” – Gia #13

“Knowing and feeling how people felt after receiving food warmed my heart.” – Paisley #30

Leading by Example

The 11G East team embodies what Dallas Surf stands for — a club that values people as much as players. Through mentoring, volunteering, and simply showing up for others, these girls are learning lessons that will stay with them long after the final whistle.

Their story reminds us that development reaches beyond soccer. It’s about who you become through the experiences you share.

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