United Premier Soccer League Announces Texas Expansion with Oak Cliff Kicks

LOS ANGELES - March 8, 2019 - PRLog -- The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is excited to announce Oak Cliff Kicks as a new league member kicking off with the 2019 Spring Season.

Based just southwest of the Dallas metro area, Oak Cliff Kicks will begin play in the UPSL Central Conference, and is finalizing its venue for UPSL home games in compliance with UPSL Minimum Standards.

United Premier Soccer League National Director Matt Kahla said, "The competition in the UPSL's Central Conference North Division just got a lot tougher as we welcome Oak Cliff Kicks to the league. Juan Martinez' connection to the original men's team gives this club a lot of history, and his success as a coach of young players fits perfectly with the UPSL's vision for player development. Oak Cliff Kicks is going to be a real tough team, and we look forward to seeing them put their best foot forward this season."

Juan Martinez and Mark Torres are Co-Owners of Oak Cliff Kicks.

Martinez was a player for Dallas Kicks, the original amateur club created by Marshall Houston. Martinez began coaching his daughter and niece and named the team Dallas Kicks '01 in homage to his former club.

Since that 2005 season, Dallas Kicks Soccer Club has grown into a full-service club with boys and girls teams (U5-U19) under the academy system in North Texas and various North Texas select soccer leagues. The club merged with D'Feeters to create D'Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (DKSC) in 2018.

Oak Cliff Kicks Co-Owner Juan Martinez said, "When Mark (Torres) approached me about his vision for a men's semi pro team I was skeptical at first. After learning the team will serve a community dear to my heart and will give a platform for young men to continue to chase their dream, I was sold. Oak Cliff is a soccer community. There are a lot of very talented players that have come out of Oak Cliff; Omar Gonzalez was raised in Oak Cliff and played at Kiest Park. I'm excited for the great opportunity."

A native of Oak Cliff, Martinez began his soccer career on the fields of Kiest Park‬ and his first girls team, Dallas Kicks '01, got its start in the Oak Cliff Recreational Soccer League. The team now is nationally known and recognized for their exceptional play while competing for National Championships. Martinez currently serves as Girls Director (U12) and Boys Director of Coaching for Dallas Kicks SC.

Torres, a 25-year veteran of amateur soccer in Texas, owns and operates Nutmeg Sports Media (NSM), the state's largest sports video company. Nutmeg Sports Media covers soccer on all levels in Texas, from the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and U.S. Soccer Development Academy programs to national and international competitions.

Oak Cliff Kicks Co-Owner Mark Torres said, "Oak Cliff is an area of Dallas that is rich in cultural and soccer history. It is the heart of Dallas and hotbed for talented players. The injection of new families with the diversity already in Oak Cliff is creating a spark that we feel Oak Cliff Kicks can add another element to. The UPSL, with its promotion/relegation structure, access to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and ability to operate as we see fit, it is the perfect recipe to start this team for the community of Oak Cliff and grow it with the community."

The club will announce tryouts and its upcoming game schedule.

About Oak Cliff Kicks

Oak Cliff Kicks is an American Soccer club currently based in Oak Cliff, Texas, and a new member of the United Premier Soccer League. Oak Cliff Kicks will play in the UPSL's Central Conference.

Founded in 2005, Oak Cliff Kicks can participate in the qualifying rounds for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation and membership with the UPSL, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

Contact:
Email: info@nutmegsportsmedia.com
Website: www.oakcliffkicks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/OakCliffKIcks
Twitter: @OC_Kicks


United Premier Soccer League

The UPSL was formed in 2011 and currently includes more than 300 teams in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. UPSL is the fastest growing Pro Development League in the USA, with 400-plus teams targeted for 2019 Fall Season. Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated, and is responsible for maintaining either UPSL Pro Premier Division or Championship Division minimum standards.

UPSL teams are all eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the leagues affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

More information about UPSL can be found at www.upslsoccer.com or by following the league on Facebook (www.facebook.com/upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer).

Contact UPSL:
info@upslsoccer.com
Direct: 310-415-5691

Media Relations:
Dennis Pope
dennis@upslsoccer.com
upslcommunications@gmail.com
Direct: 951-675-3963
www.upslsoccer.com
www.facebook.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague
www.twitter.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague