A new sports hub is rising in Dallas’s Oak Cliff neighborhood, where FIFA has teamed up with local advocates to create a permanent soccer plaza that will open in time for the upcoming World Cup.
The Common Grounds Soccer Plaza, designed by the nonprofit Puede Network, will feature two regulation‑size soccer fields, pickleball courts, a learning center and dedicated spaces for food trucks, turning an idle lot once owned by Dallas Area Rapid Transit into a vibrant community venue.
Community Leaders and Visionaries
Adán Gonzalez, Mariela Estrada, Raul Estrada, Chad West and 14‑year‑old Ayden Maldonado have all voiced enthusiasm for the project, underscoring its importance to the neighborhood.
Mariela Estrada of Marcer Construction helped launch the initiative after the North Texas World Cup organizing committee reached out, while city council member Chad West secured municipal backing to ensure the plaza’s development.
Beyond the fields, the plaza aims to give local kids a place to learn, play and grow; proceeds from events will be funneled back into programs that expand educational opportunities and youth services across the area.
Fourteen‑year‑old Ayden Maldonado, who hopes to both play and referee on the new pitches, says the space will open doors for many youngsters who have long dreamed of a dedicated spot to hone their skills.
Construction is slated for completion in early June, just before the World Cup begins, marking the first phase of a broader legacy program that seeks to leave a lasting imprint on host cities.