Johnny and Toni Lopez became soccer fans because of their three children. Their kids all played youth soccer in San Antonio while the parents drove them back and forth from games to practices. Soon, the family revolved around soccer, even though they didn't have a local team to root for back then.
When San Antonio FC was revealed as the city's new USL franchise last week, Toni Lopez was in tears. She didn't just see a logo and a name. She saw future generations of San Antonians, grandkids with their grandparents, cheering together for their team.
"Soccer always has a place in my heart," Lopez said. "We love how much it has grown in San Antonio as a sport, and we can't wait to start rooting for San Antonio FC."
The brand identity and San Antonio F.C. name were revealed in a ceremony at Rock & Brews at the AT&T Center, as about 250 fans attended to see their new colors. Fans erupted for another surprise, as the club also unveiled four more players signed to San Antonio F.C. All four have local ties as well.
- Midfielder Rafael Castillo helped lead the San Antonio Scorpions to the 2014 NASL Championship and was named MVP of the final, thanks to a bicycle kick-goal and an assist in the game.
- Goalkeeper Matt Cardone, a San Antonian who was a two-time Division III All-American at Trinity University and spent the 2015 season with the Scorpions.
- Midfielder Victor Araujo, another Trinity product who scored 20 goals with 18 assists in 43 total games with Trinity from 2013-2015.
- Defender Max Gunderson, who played college soccer at the University of the Incarnate Word and was with the USL's Austin Aztex for the 2015 season.
"It's really cool to play soccer in your hometown," Cardone said. "This is something you dream about. It's important, especially for the youth playing soccer, to show that anything is possible."
Ryan Wells brought his family to the unveiling, including his 8-year-old daughter Yuriza and 4-year-old Yvanna. His family watched the Women's World Cup at home over summer, and Wells said soccer brings families together.
"We're going to show San Antonio spirit," said Yuriza, while 4-year-old Yvanna let out a long "Yayyyyyyy" and a couple other variations of "Yeah!"
The name and brand identity unveiling may have lasted for about 15 minutes, but the event turned into two hours of coach Darren Powell and managing director Tim Holt meeting with fans while the new players signed autographs.
San Antonio's soccer supporter groups, the Crocketeers and SA 118 led the crowd in chants, all to the delight of Holt. "If we get the same type of atmosphere for our games, we'll be all set," Holt said. The atmosphere, to Holt, is one of the most exciting factors in building this club from the ground floor. Playing at one of the USL's best stadiums in Toyota Field and seeing the immediate reaction form local fans, Holt said the crowd response will be a game changer for San Antonio FC.
"Soccer's very different from other sports in this country," Holt said. "Supporters want and need and demand to be engaged. It's not a passive experience if you do it right. We don't want to tell fans 'sing now, cheer now.' They're going to do that on their own, and we want to give them good ingredients for those cheers."
For Holt and Powell, the celebration was relatively short. Once the fans headed home, they went back to an AT&T Center conference room, where they've been working on building the opening-day roster.
One major date in crafting the lineup came on Friday, when 200 soccer players came to STAR Soccer Complex for the team's open tryouts. Most were local players while two flew in from France. Some were as young as 20 and one goalkeeper was 50. Many players had college and pro experience, while some, including Jermaine Malcolm, had no experience. "It's a great opportunity," said Charles Weber, who flew in from Strasbourg, France along with Stephane Blanc. "Soccer in America is high-quality, and you have a good coach, good complex and a good chance to play here."
Those who impressed will receive a callback next week, where they'll be one step closer to a professional soccer contract. By then, the roster will have a few more additions, including some familiar faces, and Powell will have much of his coaching staff rounded out.
If the first 24 hours of San Antonio FC are any indication, Powell and Holt are going to be running at full speed until San Antonio FC's first game on April 3.
"We've got two months to take advantage of every day and capitalize on every opportunity we have," Holt said.
We are San Antonio FC. We're ready for kickoff.
Johnny and Toni Lopez became soccer fans because of their three children. Their kids all played youth soccer in San Antonio while the parents drove them back and forth from games to practices. Soon, the family revolved around soccer, even though they didn’t have a local team to root for back then.
When San Antonio FC was revealed as the city’s new USL franchise last week, Toni Lopez was in tears. She didn’t just see a logo and a name. She saw future generations of San Antonians, grandkids with their grandparents, cheering together for their team.
“Soccer always has a place in my heart,” Lopez said. “We love how much it has grown in San Antonio as a sport, and we can’t wait to start rooting for San Antonio FC.”
The brand identity and San Antonio F.C. name were revealed in a ceremony at Rock & Brews at the AT&T Center, as about 250 fans attended to see their new colors. Fans erupted for another surprise, as the club also unveiled four more players signed to San Antonio F.C. All four have local ties as well.
- Midfielder Rafael Castillo helped lead the San Antonio Scorpions to the 2014 NASL Championship and was named MVP of the final, thanks to a bicycle kick-goal and an assist in the game.
- Goalkeeper Matt Cardone, a San Antonian who was a two-time Division III All-American at Trinity University and spent the 2015 season with the Scorpions.
- Midfielder Victor Araujo, another Trinity product who scored 20 goals with 18 assists in 43 total games with Trinity from 2013-2015.
- Defender Max Gunderson, who played college soccer at the University of the Incarnate Word and was with the USL’s Austin Aztex for the 2015 season.
“It’s really cool to play soccer in your hometown,” Cardone said. “This is something you dream about. It’s important, especially for the youth playing soccer, to show that anything is possible.”
Ryan Wells brought his family to the unveiling, including his 8-year-old daughter Yuriza and 4-year-old Yvanna. His family watched the Women’s World Cup at home over summer, and Wells said soccer brings families together.
“We’re going to show San Antonio spirit,” said Yuriza, while 4-year-old Yvanna let out a long “Yayyyyyyy” and a couple other variations of “Yeah!”
The name and brand identity unveiling may have lasted for about 15 minutes, but the event turned into two hours of coach Darren Powell and managing director Tim Holt meeting with fans while the new players signed autographs.
San Antonio’s soccer supporter groups, the Crocketeers and SA 118 led the crowd in chants, all to the delight of Holt. “If we get the same type of atmosphere for our games, we’ll be all set,” Holt said. The atmosphere, to Holt, is one of the most exciting factors in building this club from the ground floor. Playing at one of the USL’s best stadiums in Toyota Field and seeing the immediate reaction form local fans, Holt said the crowd response will be a game changer for San Antonio FC.
“Soccer’s very different from other sports in this country,” Holt said. “Supporters want and need and demand to be engaged. It’s not a passive experience if you do it right. We don’t want to tell fans ‘sing now, cheer now.’ They’re going to do that on their own, and we want to give them good ingredients for those cheers.”
For Holt and Powell, the celebration was relatively short. Once the fans headed home, they went back to an AT&T Center conference room, where they’ve been working on building the opening-day roster.
One major date in crafting the lineup came on Friday, when 200 soccer players came to STAR Soccer Complex for the team’s open tryouts. Most were local players while two flew in from France. Some were as young as 20 and one goalkeeper was 50. Many players had college and pro experience, while some, including Jermaine Malcolm, had no experience. “It’s a great opportunity,” said Charles Weber, who flew in from Strasbourg, France along with Stephane Blanc. “Soccer in America is high-quality, and you have a good coach, good complex and a good chance to play here.”
Those who impressed will receive a callback next week, where they’ll be one step closer to a professional soccer contract. By then, the roster will have a few more additions, including some familiar faces, and Powell will have much of his coaching staff rounded out.
If the first 24 hours of San Antonio FC are any indication, Powell and Holt are going to be running at full speed until San Antonio FC’s first game on April 3.
“We’ve got two months to take advantage of every day and capitalize on every opportunity we have,” Holt said.
We are San Antonio FC. We’re ready for kickoff.
