Ed Puskarich Named Dallas Sidekicks New Head Coach

ALLEN, Texas - August 21, 2023 –The Dallas Sidekicks have announced Ed Puskarich as the franchise’s new Head Coach. Puskarich will mark the seventh Head Coach in Sidekicks history.

Puskarich grew up in Dallas, Texas and started playing soccer at a young age. For college, Puskarich attended Southern Methodist University and played collegiate soccer and football.

Puskarich started his professional playing career in 1984 with the Houston Dynamo in the United Soccer League. After a season with the Dynamo, Puskarich started his indoor career with the Columbus Capitals of the American Indoor Soccer Association.

In February 1996, Puskarich was drafted in the 1996 Major League Soccer’s Inaugural Player Draft in the 15th round by the Dallas Burn. After being drafted, Puskarich made the final roster and played in 18 games with the Burn.

He ended his playing career in 2003 with the Texas Rattlers in the USL D3 Pro League. Overall, Puskarich had a long playing career by playing in over 650 professional games both indoor and outdoor soccer spanning over 19 years.

Puskarich also has had a very extensive career in coaching. He started his coaching career in 1993 as the Head Coach of NCAA Division II North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. He then moved on to coach at Aurora University in 1994. Puskarich took a break from college coaching after being drafted by the Burn.

After his playing career with the Burn, he transitioned into an assistant coach position within the club in 1997 and held the position until 2000. However, his time and commitment shifted to the Texas Spurs, a club he founded in 1999.

Since then, the Texas Spurs have become one of the premier youth programs as well as joining Adult soccer leagues such as the Women’s Premier Soccer League and the United Premier Soccer League.

Since the start of the Texas Spurs, Puskarich has been the only Director of Coaching in its history and throughout his career, has had over 20 years of coaching experience.

Now he adds, the Dallas Sidekicks Head Coach to his extensive resume.

“The Dallas Sidekicks are super excited to have Ed Puskarich at the helm. Ed brings a wealth of knowledge, community relationships with his club, and 40 plus years of soccer experience. The Dallas Sidekicks have big expectations for the future,” said President Jesse Llamas.

“We are going to work hard. I want to be entertaining. I want to be fast. I’m going to bring some old-school indoor soccer tactics that I think are lacking in the indoor game right now,” Puskarich commented.

When asked about his priority with the team, Puskarich said, “My first priority is to meet the guys and make sure that they know that we have a plan in place to win. I want our players to know that me and the organization have their back. We have a couple combines planned and a training camp that will be unique this year.”

Come see our new Head Coach Ed Puskarich at our Home Opener on Saturday, December 9th at 7 PM at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center. Single game tickets will be on sale soon!

About the Dallas Sidekicks

The Dallas Sidekicks are an American professional indoor soccer team of the Major Arena Soccer League. The organization was established in 1984, is headquartered in Allen, Texas, and plays all home games at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center. Follow the Sidekicks at www.dallassidekicks.com and on their social media channels:

Facebook: @gosidekicksofficial Twitter: @gosidekicks Instagram: @gosidekicksofficial

About the Major Arena Soccer League 

The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.