FC Dallas announced yesterday the start of what the call it's youth affiliate program. In essence the program expands the FC Dallas youth brand, coaching program, and development system to other locations around the country.

The first location for the expansion of the program is Niceville Florida where Emerald Coast United become FC Dallas Emerald Coast.

“Our player development model is widely recognized as the best in North America and Major League Soccer,” said FC Dallas President and CEO Doug Quinn. “Youth development is one of our top priorities and this affiliate program allows us to cast a much larger net in finding and developing the best young soccer talent.”

FC Dallas on their program...

FC Dallas affiliate clubs will follow the FCD Way curriculum and wear FC Dallas uniforms and training gear. The clubs will also have access to almost all of the same benefits as members of the existing youth club based at Pizza Hut Park, including School of Excellence camps and college combines, the FCD college preparation program, affiliate coaches continuing education, discounted admission to FC Dallas MLS games and support to help strengthen the club’s competitive level. Players on FC Dallas affiliate teams will be able to train or play with the FC Dallas Academy, Pre-Academy, Elite Clubs National League and Women’s Premier Soccer League teams.

FCD has identified clubs in El Paso, Midland, Lubbock, and San Antonio as potential affiliates. Snapping up clubs in Texas is a terrific move, this is a hot bed of soccer, but the national move into soccer hot beds like Florida is even more bold and advantageous. With no pro team at the MLS level in Florida there is plenty of ground open for discovery of players.

“We are trying to build something very special with this program and want to be very strategic about the clubs we choose as FC Dallas affiliates,” said Hunt Sports Group Vice President Dan Hunt. “Our affiliate clubs have to be like-minded in their player development philosophy. They have to play our style of soccer and teach their players the same tools and values we promote in Dallas. More important, we have to be closely involved with each club in implementing our curriculum and ensuring best practices.”

FCD says affiliates will earn rankings each year to determine the top ranked teams at each age group who will then advance to a tournament hosted by FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake or Houston Dynamo.