Photo Credit: @FutbolbyNick
Author: Stephanie Daugherty
Brad Namdar’s return to the touchline as Head Coach in Texas Lone Star’s victory over Austin Rise.
In sports, momentum matters. Leadership matters. Culture matters. Methodology matters.
For Texas Lone Star S.C., all four have become increasingly evident following the recent appointment of Brad Namdar to the touchline, returning to coaching after stepping away from the sideline in 2016.
As an experienced General Manager and Sporting Director of various semi-professional and professional programs, Namdar was instrumental in building Texas Lone Star S.C. from the ground up. Beginning in September 2025, while preparing the organization for its inaugural season in the Women’s Major Arena Soccer League (MASLW), Namdar secured key sponsorships, community stakeholders, partnerships, and operational infrastructure necessary to launch a competitive women’s soccer franchise.
However, perhaps the most significant development has been his return to the role of Head Coach. His appointments in both the indoor and outdoor game have produced immediate results, helping guide one of the nation’s newest women’s soccer franchises toward a promising future.
Building Winners from Day One
Before entering the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Division I Lone Star Conference, considered one of the most competitive outdoor conferences in the country, Namdar helped launch Texas Lone Star S.C.’s professional indoor program in the Major Arena Soccer League Women (MASLW) during the fall of 2025.
The challenge was significant. The club was a brand-new franchise with no history, no established culture, no players with prior experience in the league, and no organizational experience competing at the national level.
Yet under Namdar’s leadership as General Manager, Sporting Director, and eventually Head Coach, Texas Lone Star S.C. exceeded expectations by qualifying for the MASLW Playoffs during its inaugural season and finishing second in the highly competitive South Conference.
The accomplishment was viewed by many as one of the strongest first-year performances by an expansion club in league history, establishing a foundation of professionalism, accountability, and competitiveness that would later carry over into the outdoor game.
Turning the Tide in the WPSL
Following the club’s acceptance into the prestigious WPSL Division I Lone Star Conference, Texas Lone Star S.C. entered yet again, another one of the most competitive women’s soccer environments in the country.
Like many expansion organizations, the club experienced growing pains early in its inaugural season. The most notable setback came in the team’s home opener against Austin Rise, the back-to-back conference champions, TST participants, and a club pursuing future WPSL Pro ambitions next year. Texas Lone Star S.C. suffered a difficult 6-0 defeat in the season’s home opener on May 30th. “ It was our team’s first-ever competition against an opponent of any kind,” said Namdar. who was the GM and Sporting Director only at the time, “After the game, I told the girls, ‘I promise we will never experience that type of loss again, as it was our first time to go out there against the best of the best.”
Rather than allowing the result to define the season, the organization doubled down on its commitment to development and long-term growth.
After a rocky start, which can be expected from a new franchise competing against established organizations, the club deemed it necessary for Namdar to once again assume head coaching responsibilities based on his prior coaching experience, knowledge of the game, and his ability to dedicate the time required to support the program on the pitch. The impact was immediate.
The most significant statement came when Texas Lone Star S.C. traveled to Austin and defeated the national powerhouse Austin Rise 2-1 on the road in Namdar’s head coaching debut, keeping true to his promise that they will never lose like that again. The victory represented more than just three points in the standings. It demonstrated the resilience of one of the youngest rosters in the WPSL and validated the belief that the club was moving in the right direction.
The momentum continued in a rematch the following week against Fort Worth Vaqueras, another program with more than one year experience in the WPSL. Earlier in the season, Texas Lone Star S.C. had fallen 2-1 to the Vaqueras. Under Namdar’s leadership, the club responded by earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw, highlighted by a dramatic equalizer in the 90th minute.
For a first-year franchise competing against established programs with years of league experience, sponsorship support, and organizational continuity, the results have reflected measurable growth and have been impressive, to say the least.
One of the Youngest Rosters in the WPSL
Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of Texas Lone Star S.C.’s recent success is the age and experience level of its roster.
Unlike many established WPSL organizations that feature former professionals, veteran collegiate players, and returning rosters with years of chemistry, Texas Lone Star S.C. entered its inaugural season with one of the youngest rosters in the league. The majority of the squad consists of current collegiate athletes, recent high school graduates, current high school players, and athletes competing in their first WPSL campaign within one of the most competitive conferences in the country.
Despite their youth, the players have demonstrated remarkable maturity, resilience, tactical discipline, and professionalism over the past several weeks.
The victories and positive results have not gone unnoticed.
Multiple players within the program have begun attracting attention from collegiate programs, professional scouts, soccer organizations, national teams, and other entities across the United States and abroad. Several athletes have elevated their profiles through performances against some of the nation’s most respected women’s programs, demonstrating their ability to compete against experienced opposition.
For Namdar, this development is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the club’s recent progress.
“The results are important, but development is the foundation of what we are building,” said Namdar. “When players improve, gain confidence, and create opportunities for themselves at the next level, that’s a win for our entire organization.”
The recent performances against Austin Rise and Fort Worth Vaqueras have further validated the club’s developmental model and demonstrated that Texas Lone Star S.C. is becoming a destination for ambitious players looking to grow both on and off the field.
As women’s soccer continues its rapid growth throughout the United States, Texas Lone Star S.C. has positioned itself as a platform where young athletes can compete, develop, and gain exposure while contributing to a culture built on accountability, professionalism, and opportunity.
A Proven Track Record of Program Building
Those familiar with Namdar’s coaching career are not surprised by the turnaround.
Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for building successful programs both on and off the field. From youth soccer to collegiate athletics and professional environments, his focus has consistently centered around culture, player development, leadership, and organizational sustainability.
While victories capture headlines, many within the Texas Lone Star S.C. organization point to the club’s growing identity, increased player confidence, and commitment to community engagement as equally important indicators of success.
As General Manager, Sporting Director, and Head Coach, Namdar has played a key role in establishing operational standards, recruiting talent, fostering relationships throughout the soccer community, and creating opportunities for players to continue their development at the collegiate and professional levels. “The credit goes to the girls,” said Namdar. “Our players, staff, sponsors, ownership group, fans, and stakeholders are the reason we are successful. It isn’t about a coach or one person; it’s about a unit, a team.”
The Future of Women’s Soccer
Women’s soccer continues to experience unprecedented growth throughout the United States, creating new opportunities for athletes, coaches, and organizations alike.
Texas Lone Star S.C. believes it is well-positioned to contribute to that growth.
With a young roster, a dedicated ownership group led by Principal Owner Pia Lara Namdar and Co-Owner Ryan Moore, and a growing leadership team focused on long-term success, the organization has begun establishing itself as a respected competitor not only within the MASLW and WPSL landscape, but as an emerging organization attracting attention from entities throughout the United States.
For Namdar, however, the focus remains unchanged.
The objective is not simply to win games. It is to build a sustainable program that develops players, creates opportunities, and proudly represents Texas.
Based on the progress shown over the past several weeks, Texas Lone Star S.C. appears to be heading in that direction.
As the season continues, one thing has become increasingly clear: Brad Namdar’s return to coaching has brought renewed energy, belief, methodology, and momentum to one of the fastest-growing women’s soccer organizations in Texas.
The early results suggest that Texas Lone Star S.C. is only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential.
Connect With Brad Namdar
To follow Brad Namdar’s ongoing work, insights, and professional journey, connect with him on Instagram and on Facebook.
