So let's start off with you. Who are you and how did you get involved with Southstar FC?

My name is John Saeger and I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. I’ve been involved in North Texas soccer for almost 20 years, first as a parent, now as an owner of a few “soccer related” businesses including SouthStar FC.

I experienced my first WPSL season a few years back when a number of players and young coaches played for FC Dallas’ WPSL team. I thought it was great that the women had another vehicle to continue playing (during their college career and beyond). What I also saw was an MLS club not putting in the same resources for the women players as they did for men. That pissed me off! I’m on the board of a local youth club and I reached out to the WPSL to see what it would take to start a WPSL team. I had a few conversations with Sean Jones. I thought about it. What I realized though is in order to get the top talent in the area, I needed to be Switzerland, not affiliated with any of the youth clubs here as they’re UBER competitive against each other. To a fault. I also wanted to have a club that treats their players with the same resources as men’s teams have. They deserve it!

I was still on the fence. I was at the United Soccer Coaches show in Chicago a few years back for my portable soccer field lighting company (SouthStar Systems), and I met with the WPSL folks. I decided then and there I’d start a team for the upcoming season. 2019 was our first year.

Where are you based out of and how did you come up with the name Southstar?

We are based in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. We practice in Dallas and play our HOME games at TCU in Ft. Worth. SouthStar FC came from my business (SouthStar Systems) that sells portable lighting. Soccer clubs are one of my biggest customers for portable soccer field lighting. I have met and work with so many great people from great clubs from all over the world. I’ve learned so much (and continue to do so) from them. I absolutely love what I do!

Messiah Bright in action for SouthStar FC.

How long have Southstar been playing and what level of talent have you produced?

2019 was our 1st year. I must give all the credit to the coaching staff, Susan (Bush) Quill, Lauren Alkek and Jay Fitzgerald. They had the relationships and were able to attract a lot of talented players. We have some amazing players who will be playing at the next level for sure.

The club finished second in your conference last year, how do you plan to build on that success?

In 2019, we set a great tone and we’ll build upon that. We’ve heard from quite a few new players who want to come out. We keep in constant contact with the players from a social perspective, follow their collegiate games and try to keep the brand out in front year around. We want to be THE club that these great players from the area want to play for.

Your conference lies in a very competitive area, that North Texas/Oklahoma border region, what's the level of competition in your conference?

No question, this area has produced some great women players. We play in the Red River Conference – North. Tulsa and Oklahoma City are always tough. Quite a few of our players play in the Big 12 conference so they all know each other as teammates or the competition. There are no easy games!

Tell us about a player or two.

Messiah Bright (Forward, TCU) is an absolutely explosive player and she’s only getting better. She was the Freshman of the Year in the Big 12. She can break away at any time and score so you have to pay attention. So fun to watch!

Courtney Sebazco (Midfield, SMU) is tough as nails. Never gives up on the ball, great vision, leads by example. Always impressed by her play. She has the honor of scoring the first goal ever for the club!

Courtney Sebazco dribbles past a Tulsa opponent.

What are your goals for your club? Do you focus on matches, final record, trophies, player development, social impact, or something else entirely?

My goal(s) for the club are just giving these women an opportunity to play. We’ve added a few goals now as we learn. We want to help them play at the next level, either in the US or abroad. We want to help them transition to coaching or other aspects of the business of soccer if they want.

We are a Not for Profit (501(c)3 and all of our resources go to the players and coaches. They pay for nothing.

North Texas has been hit pretty hard by the pandemic, how's the health and safety of your players?

We’re fortunate that to date, no player has contracted COVID-19. Health and safety are paramount so we’ve practiced as much caution as we possibly could. We’re helping them get ready for their respective collegiate season by holding small group fitness sessions.

Will the club be playing in 2020?

No 2020 Season. It’s unfortunate that the 2020 WPSL Season is cancelled but we’ll be doing some things with the players later in the year and getting ready for the 2021 WPSL Season.

Anything else we should know about the club?

Our long-term goals remain consistent and who knows what might happen. I’m hoping that we can eventually become a Women’s Professional Club, maybe part of the USL or some other league that allows more women the opportunity to play after college. Maybe a men’s side and a youth component.

I’m optimistic in the future of the game. I’m just so fortunate to be in the position I’m in, working with so many great people who all have a passion around this great game.