A semi-professional soccer team will soon call McKinney home.
Dallas City FC, or DCFC, has entered into a 30-year contract with the city of McKinney to occupy three fields at the Craig Ranch Soccer Complex.
In exchange for the designated fields, the team is responsible for renovating three of the existing fields at the complex. Two will be turned into turfed soccer fields, and one will become a professional soccer stadium. Renovations are expected to start late February or early March.
In addition, the McKinney Soccer Association will be able to play its games at the turfed fields on Saturdays. The recreational soccer league is for boys, girls and adults.
DCFC was founded in 2013 and formerly played its home games at various locations in the Dallas area.
DCFC owner and FIFA player agent Jacob Tuygun said McKinney is the right place for the team to grow and offer North Texans the opportunity to learn from professional soccer players.
“McKinney is a growing place, and everyone loves soccer here,” Tuygun said. “We can bring our European professional soccer experience to McKinney.”
DCFC will also host youth development camps featuring professional soccer players from across the world, Tuygun said.
Team officials will have offices at the McKinney Air Center, located at 1476 Industrial Boulevard in the Monarch Building. Tuygun said his team's sports medicine group will also be temporarily relocating into the space.
Assistant City Manager Jose Madrigal said McKinney is excited for this partnership because it will offer more entertainment for residents, provide professional European soccer training to local players, and attract more tourism and development.
Future plans include DCFC offering a professional men’s league and a semi-professional women’s league and founding McKinney-based soccer tournaments.