On a gray and rainy Saturday afternoon, the Cotton Bowl’s big screen lit up with the crests of two teams separated by more than a century of history.
Dallas Trinity FC, now in its second season in the Gainbridge Super League, faced off against Club América Femenil, a storied institution celebrating 109 years of legacy, rooted in its renowned men’s team.
América, a dominant force in the Women’s Mexican League, fielded a squad brimming with international talent and backed by a fervent fan base that spans both sides of the border.
The skill and cohesion of the Mexican side proved overwhelming for the home team, which fell 3-1 in front of a crowd of 22,938 spectators.
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The crowd at the State Fair Clasico marked a record attendance for a Dallas Trinity home game, far surpassing their inaugural season average of 3,500 fans per match.
Though professional women’s soccer in Mexico only launched in late 2017, América has quickly emerged as one of its most influential teams.
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The club has reached four finals in Liga MX Femenil, winning championships in 2018 and 2023.
Given the disparity in quality between the two teams, a lopsided result against Dallas Trinity FC seemed inevitable. But for the home side, the final score was secondary to a greater purpose: building bridges, celebrating cultures and elevating the women’s game before a record-setting crowd.
“This is about pulling together two cultures. It’s more than just the soccer game,” said Trinity Dallas coach Chris Petrucelli.
Trinity began the match with a formation of four defenders, two stoppers, three midfielders and a lone striker.
The formation held strong for 33 minutes, keeping América at bay until Sarah Luebbert broke through with a low-driven shot that slipped past goalkeeper Samantha Estrada.
Five minutes later, América struck again, this time on a swift counterattack finished clinically by Bruna Vilamala.
Just before the halftime whistle, the visitors struck once more, this time off a perfectly placed corner kick, as Annia Mejía soared above the defense and powered a header into the net, sealing América’s commanding first-half display.
DTFC’s goal came in the 71st minute, courtesy of Sealey Strawn.
The 18-year-old Prosper resident delivered a moment of brilliance, heading the ball beyond América’s keeper and igniting the celebration among the home team supporters.
Priceless milestone
In the stands of the Cotton Bowl, a vibrant sea of Club América’s iconic blue and yellow blended with Dallas Trinity’s bold burgundy and gold, creating a dazzling mosaic of color that brought the stadium to life.
U.S. and Mexico flags fluttered side by side, framing a scene of unity and celebration. The shared passion for the game transformed the stadium into a joyful, family-friendly festival where cultures converged and soccer took center stage.
“We’re not just bringing two cultures together, we’re celebrating their connection,” Petrucelli said. “These cultures are deeply intertwined, and you can see that reflected in communities all across the country.”
For Amber Wisner, captain of Dallas Trinity, taking the field against Club América was a priceless professional milestone, one that echoed the thrill of last year’s match against Barcelona, also held at the iconic Cotton Bowl.
“If you had told me when I signed with this club that in the span of 14 months I’d be playing international matches against Barcelona and Club América, I would have laughed at you,” said Wisner.
“You don’t get these opportunities often, regardless of what league and country you play in. So to have the opportunity to play against world-class competition and really elevate the women’s game, specifically here in Dallas, is really important for all of us.”
Coordinating Club América’s visit to face Dallas Trinity required months of meticulous planning and collaboration to bring all the pieces together, culminating in a marquee matchup during the final weekend of the Texas State Fair.
The results of the effort will be seen in the not-so-distant future.
“Many people don’t know this, but this match took over a year of planning, and it’s been an honor to play at the Cotton Bowl against Trinity,” said Claudia Carrión, Corporate Director of Club América Femenil.
“We might have more than 100 years of history, but still, we want to join forces with new teams and help take them to another level.”
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