Liverpool Coach Teresa Eamma excels with FC Dallas
Eamma excels in WPSL team's inaugural season
Former UNT midfielder makes mark on FC Dallas campaign
Paul Bottoni
FC Dallas.com
When talking to Teresa Eamma, it doesn’t take long to discover her passion for the Beautiful Game.
The former University of North Texas standout and current coach with Liverpool FC America is a linchpin in the midfield for FC Dallas’ inaugural Women’s Premier Soccer League team that finished second in the Big Sky-South conference.
Click here to view FC Dallas WPSL 2011 results and roster.
"She's a huge key to our team, not only just as a person, but as a player and a leader on the field,” said head coach Darrin Hedges. “She leads by example and the college-bound kids look up to her a ton. She's probably one of the top 10 players in the WPSL and inside our division, I'd say she's the MVP."
Eamma’s passion for soccer began when she was about seven years old, and she soon began playing for select teams, including the Dallas Sting and D’Feeters.
When the time came to choose a college, Eamma – a self-described homebody – opted to attend UNT due to the short drive from her home to Denton. She suited up for the Mean Green from the fall of 1997 to the spring of 2001 and left an indelible mark on the program.
Eamma started all four years, during which she amassed 33 goals – good for sixth all-time in the school record books. Her best season came in 2000-01, when she started 22 games, tallied 19 goals (including two hat tricks), was named to the 2000 Sun Belt All-Conference Team and was crowned the 2001 Sun Belt Conference Tournament MVP.
"The four years I had playing at UNT were very memorable," said Eamma. "I played with a lot of very good players and made some long-lasting friendships. We had some very good seasons and made some strong runs towards the NCAA championship….I will always cherish my time there, the people I met and the memories that I made."
Following her time at UNT, Eamma played for the Texas Turbo, Dallas Heat and Blue Sky Sunrays. Two years ago, she and her husband (her maiden name while at UNT was Vise) became the coaches of a Liverpool FC America select team.
Earlier this year, Eamma was informed about FC Dallas holding tryouts for an inaugural WPSL team and pondered over whether or not she should try out.
"I wasn't sure at first if I was going to play, but I'm glad I did," said Eamma. "A couple of the girls that I formerly played with and against contacted me and asked me if I was going to try out. I was worried that I might not have time, because of my job and the fact that my husband and I coach a girls Liverpool select team. But, I went to try outs and I made the team.
“In the end, it turned out to be a great decision and it has been a great experience so far."
Eamma has been a force in the center of midfield for FCD and was named the WPSL Co-Player of the Week in Week Eight after netting three goals in two games.
“For our first season, we have experienced a lot of success,” said Eamma. “I think that the more time we spend together and the more we get used to how one another play, the better and better we are going to get. We have some very good, young talent on the team and we have shown very good early potential so far."
The team, which consists of players from high school to college and beyond, has been well supported on their home pitch at Dr. Pink Field, and Eamma shared her hope that the team will act as a stepping-stone towards a women’s professional team in Dallas.
"We have really gotten a lot of support, and we love the singing and the FC Dallas cheers," said Eamma. "I only hope the crowd keeps growing in numbers. Perhaps the 2011 Women's World Cup will help draw more fans.
“Dallas is such a hot bed for women’s soccer and I think Dallas would be a great venue for a Women's Professional Soccer team."
The former University of North Texas standout and current coach with Liverpool FC America is a linchpin in the midfield for FC Dallas’ inaugural Women’s Premier Soccer League team that finished second in the Big Sky-South conference.
Click here to view FC Dallas WPSL 2011 results and roster.
"She's a huge key to our team, not only just as a person, but as a player and a leader on the field,” said head coach Darrin Hedges. “She leads by example and the college-bound kids look up to her a ton. She's probably one of the top 10 players in the WPSL and inside our division, I'd say she's the MVP."
Eamma’s passion for soccer began when she was about seven years old, and she soon began playing for select teams, including the Dallas Sting and D’Feeters.
When the time came to choose a college, Eamma – a self-described homebody – opted to attend UNT due to the short drive from her home to Denton. She suited up for the Mean Green from the fall of 1997 to the spring of 2001 and left an indelible mark on the program.
Eamma started all four years, during which she amassed 33 goals – good for sixth all-time in the school record books. Her best season came in 2000-01, when she started 22 games, tallied 19 goals (including two hat tricks), was named to the 2000 Sun Belt All-Conference Team and was crowned the 2001 Sun Belt Conference Tournament MVP.
"The four years I had playing at UNT were very memorable," said Eamma. "I played with a lot of very good players and made some long-lasting friendships. We had some very good seasons and made some strong runs towards the NCAA championship….I will always cherish my time there, the people I met and the memories that I made."
Following her time at UNT, Eamma played for the Texas Turbo, Dallas Heat and Blue Sky Sunrays. Two years ago, she and her husband (her maiden name while at UNT was Vise) became the coaches of a Liverpool FC America select team.
Earlier this year, Eamma was informed about FC Dallas holding tryouts for an inaugural WPSL team and pondered over whether or not she should try out.
"I wasn't sure at first if I was going to play, but I'm glad I did," said Eamma. "A couple of the girls that I formerly played with and against contacted me and asked me if I was going to try out. I was worried that I might not have time, because of my job and the fact that my husband and I coach a girls Liverpool select team. But, I went to try outs and I made the team.
“In the end, it turned out to be a great decision and it has been a great experience so far."
Eamma has been a force in the center of midfield for FCD and was named the WPSL Co-Player of the Week in Week Eight after netting three goals in two games.
“For our first season, we have experienced a lot of success,” said Eamma. “I think that the more time we spend together and the more we get used to how one another play, the better and better we are going to get. We have some very good, young talent on the team and we have shown very good early potential so far."
The team, which consists of players from high school to college and beyond, has been well supported on their home pitch at Dr. Pink Field, and Eamma shared her hope that the team will act as a stepping-stone towards a women’s professional team in Dallas.
"We have really gotten a lot of support, and we love the singing and the FC Dallas cheers," said Eamma. "I only hope the crowd keeps growing in numbers. Perhaps the 2011 Women's World Cup will help draw more fans.
“Dallas is such a hot bed for women’s soccer and I think Dallas would be a great venue for a Women's Professional Soccer team."