Cotton Bowl Stadium became the epicenter of women’s soccer in Texas on Saturday night, as Dallas Trinity FC faced Club América Femenil in the inaugural State Fair Clásico—an international friendly that brought together fans from across the Lone Star State.
The stakes may have been friendly, but the energy was anything but casual. Played during the final weekend of the State Fair of Texas, the match drew an electric crowd of 22,838, setting a new Texas record for the largest attendance at a professional women’s sporting event.
The previous statewide record of 21,284 was set in 2022 when the Kansas City Current faced the Houston Dash in Houston. Saturday’s crowd also shattered the Dallas record of 20,409 set earlier this summer when the Indiana Fever visited the Dallas Wings at American Airlines Center.
Among those in attendance were former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall and Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers, who came out to show their support, adding to the celebratory atmosphere and underscoring how women’s sports in Dallas continue to draw major figures from across the city.
A Historic Night on the Pitch
Club América Femenil came out firing, taking control early with a goal in the 34th minute from Sarah Luebbert. Just five minutes later, Bruna Villamala doubled the lead, and Annia Mejía added a third right before halftime, sending the Mexican powerhouse into the locker room with a commanding 3–0 advantage.
Dallas Trinity refused to fold. In the 70th minute, academy forward Sealey Strawn gave the home crowd something to roar about, heading in a cross from Camryn Lancaster to make it 3–1. The goal marked a special moment for the young player—and for a team that continues to embody Dallas grit and promise.
“It was an amazing experience to have all these fans and people supporting you,” Strawn said post-match. “It was a great experience to put one in the net! When you’re on the field and look out to the fans and see so many people, it’s an amazing moment.”
For Head Coach and General Manager Chris Petrucelli, the match provided a valuable measuring stick. “It’s a great opportunity to get tested against really talented players,” Petrucelli said. “That’s a really good team that we played against tonight. You get a chance to give some people some minutes and a lot of them stepped up a lot tonight.”
Breaking Barriers and Building Legacy
The attendance milestone wasn’t just a number—it was a statement. The 22,838 fans also represented the largest crowd ever for a Club América Femenil match on U.S. soil, surpassing the 14,769 fans who attended their Summer Cup matchup against the San Diego Wave FC in 2024.
It was also a banner night for Dallas Trinity FC, whose previous attendance record of 5,884 (set earlier this year against Carolina Ascent FC) was obliterated. For President and Co-Founder Charlie Neil, the evening reflected something much larger than the scoreboard.
“It’s incredible. You can just feel the culture of the community – this is our city!” Neil said. “The State Fair is so special to Dallas, to this Metroplex, and to bring women’s soccer here and see that support for both teams today—we can say this is not a moment, this is a movement and another step in the right direction.”
The Trinity Star Trophy
The night also introduced the Trinity Star Trophy, presented by Walmart, the official trophy of the State Fair Clásico. As the presenting partner, Walmart emphasized its continued investment in Texas communities and its commitment to celebrating excellence and competition across the state. The company’s partnership helped bring an added layer of visibility and prestige to the event, further cementing it as a major moment for women’s sports in Dallas.
What’s Next
Dallas Trinity FC returns to Gainbridge Super League action on Sunday, November 2, hosting DC Power FC (1–2–3, six points) at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. CDT, with streaming available on Peacock.
As Dallas continues to establish itself as a central hub for women’s sports, from the Wings to Trinity FC. Saturday night’s sold-out spectacle proved something powerful: when women’s teams take the stage, the city shows up.
DW’s Sisi Encarnacion assisted with the reporting for this article.
The post “Not a Moment, a Movement”: Dallas Trinity FC Makes History at State Fair Clásico appeared first on Dallas Weekly.