FC Dallas powered into year three of its WPSL program on Wednesday night with a 10-1 win over Little Rock Rangers with a new look.

After head coach Ben Waldrum left to join the University of Pittsburgh, Tyler Powell took the reigns of the club's senior program. Powell is the academy director for the FC Dallas West Division. He's also had coaching stints at Texas Weslyan and reigning C-USA tournament winners, North Texas.

Matt Grubb is also part of the coaching staff for the WPSL program and leads the elite player development program for FC Dallas Youth. Matt was also part of the WPSL program under Waldrum, and has been the main recruiter for the current roster.

This year's team will be younger but retains that homegrown core and style that we've come to expect from FC Dallas teams. Natalee Heiser bagged a hat-trick in Wednesday's game having grown up in the FC Dallas system. She missed her freshman year at Mississippi State with an ACL injury. Heiser has since transferred to TCU.

Returning players include Virginia and US U20 WNT forward Taryn Torres. Highly rated US U18 midfielder Addie McCain is back for her third year along with Sophie Fondren who may be best remembered for this debut goal against Texas Spurs last season.

"We have a very big pool of players, most of them grew up in the Dallas area and several of those within the club," said FC Dallas WPSL head coach Tyler Powell. "We do have a bit of a revolving roster because we have several girls who are at various national teams, whether it's a World Cup, qualifying or just a national team camp. Yesterday we were missing Taryn Torres. I know Julie James is leaving at the end of the month with the national team. We have a lot of youth and experience, a lot of these players play at Power Five schools."

FC Dallas is once again in the WPSL's Southwest Conference which will also feature Texas Spurs (Lucas), Oklahoma City FC, FC Wichita, Fortuna Tulsa, and Little Rock Rangers. Fortuna Tulsa and Little Rock Rangers are new additions to the WPSL, replacing FC Tulsa Spirit and the FC Dallas U23s.

In previous years the FC Dallas women's program has faced an uphill struggle both financially and logistically. There won't be any moving around to different stadiums this season as the team is no longer charged to play and practice on FC Dallas facilities. So they will be permanently based out of Dr. Pink Field at Toyota Soccer Center.

You may also notice this year that the self-purchased jerseys or hand-me-downs from ECNL youth seasons of the past are gone and replaced by a brand new AdvoCare-branded uniform.

It seems as though FC Dallas has finally seen the value of supporting their girl's youth graduates in their first steps into the senior game. This step was necessary as it's part of FC Dallas President Dan Hunt's long-term goal of an FC Dallas team in the NWSL.

"FC Dallas has definitely made this a priority," said Powell. "They have sunk resources and manpower to make sure the experience is a good one for the players and fans. So far they've done nothing but help us from a marketing perspective, game day operations, and any other support we've asked for, we've gotten. They're definitely making an emphasis with the women's game, and everything they've done so far has shown that."

Powell did mention that an international friendly may be in the pipeline. The FC Dallas' women's side hosted recently crowned Liga MX Femenil champions, Tigres, in July at the conclusion of their last WPSL season.

The FCD Women are on the road for their next four games, three of which come next week. You will be able to catch them on Thursday at 7 PM against Texas Spurs, that game will take place at Willow Springs Middle School in Lucas.

The next FCD Women's home game is on Wednesday, June 20 when they host Texas Spurs. That game will begin a stretch of three home games in five days to end the regular season. You can find the full schedule here.