New academy establishes a professional development pathway for youth players across North Texas
CELINA, TX – Rodeo Soccer Club, USL League One’s newest professional soccer team, today announced a partnership with Global Football Innovations (GFI) to launch the Rodeo SC Youth Academy.
Based in Houston, Global Football Innovations (GFI) is a high-performance youth soccer development organization dedicated to creating a clear pathway for players to compete at the collegiate and professional levels. By combining elite technical training, advanced performance technology, education, and professional coaching, GFI provides an environment designed to maximize player growth and long-term success; on and off the pitch.
“This academy is about creating real opportunities for young players right here in our community,” said Rodeo SC President and Founder, Ben Watson. “Rodeo SC is committed to building something lasting in Celina and across North Texas. That starts with investing in the next generation. Partnering with GFI gives us an elite foundation to develop players the right way, on and off the field.”
Through this partnership, GFI will oversee academy operations, including coaching leadership, curriculum design, player development programming, and implementation of Rodeo SC’s playing philosophy — creating a unified pathway from the academy level to the professional game.
GFI’s established development network includes partnerships and competitive opportunities that expose players to top-tier environments, including a partnership with Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara and GFI’s own USL League Two program (Woodlands, TX), which offers athletes meaningful experiences that accelerate development and expand visibility.
“This partnership is not about merging logos — it’s about aligning vision. Together with Rodeo SC, we are building a unified pathway where every player, from recreational to high performance, has a clear structure, professional standards, and real opportunities for growth,” said GFI CEO Joel Verges.
“By integrating under one strategic umbrella, we create efficiency, governance clarity, and competitive ambition — all while keeping the player at the center.”
The launch of the Rodeo SC Youth Academy represents another major step in creating a fully integrated pathway for player development in North Texas, bringing the new Rodeo SC Youth Academy – Texoma and the League Two affiliate in Sherman, TX, Texoma FC, all under the Rodeo Soccer Club umbrella. The academy will serve as a direct extension of Rodeo SC’s long-term mission: to elevate the sport locally, develop talent regionally, and create opportunities for youth players to pursue collegiate and professional careers.
Additional details regarding academy programming, age groups, tryouts, and registration will be announced soon.
If you are interested in having your youth player compete in the Rodeo SC Youth Academy, fill out our interest form to receive more information.
About Rodeo Soccer Club
Rodeo Soccer Club is a professional soccer organization and proud member of the United Soccer League. Rooted in faith, family, and strong values, Rodeo SC is committed to uniting the community through the power of sport. The club’s mission is to create a clear path-to-pro system for young athletes, foster a best-in-class culture for its professional players, and deliver family-friendly entertainment that brings people together. From grassroots development to the professional stage, Rodeo SC believes soccer is more than a game—it is a platform for teaching life lessons, building character, and developing champions while creating a lasting legacy for the region.
About Global Football Innovation Academy
The Global Football Innovation (GFI) Academy is a high-performance youth soccer development organization based in the Greater Houston area (Spring, TX) that combines technical training, advanced technology, education, and professional coaching. Founded in 2023, it aims to provide a pathway from youth soccer to college and professional opportunities