Back inside, you wipe the sleep from your eyes and pull your Alamo FC jersey over your head. A quick look in the mirror confirms that you are, in fact, awake. You walk out of your building and grab a coffee from the shop on the corner.

Drinking in the first sip of invigorating morning caffeine, and burning your tongue in the process, you emerge back onto the pavement just in time to catch the River North Streetcar that climbs up Broadway. You hop on, give “the nod” to the dozen or so others in their Alamo FC garb and allow the morning breeze to further awaken your senses.

Once at your stop, you and the other supporters exit the streetcar and join the throngs of folks just like you making their way toward the pubs lining the northern edge of the Museum Reach of the Riverwalk. There is an electricity in the air as you find yourself knee-deep in the pulsing pre-match festivities.

Supporters from The Upper Room and Puro 33 gather at Vito’s Sports Bar, where the michelada flows and the smell of chorizo soaks the air. You and the Crocketteers gather in your traditional spot, filling the old tavern with singing, shouting, and Freetail brews. Bands play as the supporters prepare to give a full 90 minutes to the home side just a short walk away at Alamo Stadium.

Match-time approaches and you begin the trek with the other supporters towards the stadium. The spirit of revelry is thick amongst the group. You smile as some around you wave scarves in the Texas sun, blow on parade horns, and generally swim in the pool of anticipation that is an old-world match-day. You think to yourself, “This is why I love soccer. This is what I waited so long for…”

Alamo Stadium is particularly lively this afternoon, the glorious old bones of the stadium made new with the fresh renovation. ABC is here to televise the MLS Match of the Week. All eyes (and cameras) are trained on Thierry Henry, as he warms up in his first San Antonio appearance as a member of Red Bull New York.

You slide into Row 6 and greet the familiar faces around you as the chants of your fellow Alamo FC supporters echo off of the limestone walls of the historic venue. An overflow crowd of 26,000 buzzes while the teams take to the pitch, flashbulbs popping away.  You look around and drink in the atmosphere, the revelry, the beautiful game.  What a moment for San Antonio…

The referee’s whistle blows, the ball is played in. You take a deep breath and survey the surreal scene one last time before throwing yourself fully into the match. This is real. The MLS is home in San Antonio.

Reminder: MLS Watch Party at Freetail Brewing Co. tonight May 13, 2010 8:00 PM

But why?

For billions of people around the world, the World Cup is like the Olympics – only bigger.

Like the Olympics, athletes are sent to represent their country.  They carry the hopes of the entire nation, only there is no other sport – no bobsled or relay race – to salvage pride lost in defeat. There is just one sport, the world’s sport, that can give bragging rights to countries and send enemies into the streets under the same flag, wearing the same pride.

The World Cup is full of passion.  The simple love for the sport is combined with national pride (and occasional hate), leaving a densely layered pitch of emotions on a stage larger than any other.

Countries that have spent significant parts of their history at war find themselves matched on that pitch, a rivalry that was measured in blood a generation ago now measured in goals.  The intensity of such clashes is often indescribable. Brazil and Argentina, having won one-third of all World Cups, clash in a war of cultures, ancestry, and athleticism. England and Argentina are still not too far removed from the Falkland War of 1982. England and Germany are among many players from the theater of World War II who meet on the pitch with a extra bit of unspoken nationalism at stake. 

The World soccer federation (FIFA) decided to organize the first World Cup tournament in 1930 in Uruguay to commemorate its 100th year of independence. The World Cup has since been played 17 times in 80 years and only 7 countries have won the Cup.

And it is only after a grueling stage of continental tournaments that a team can become eligible to even compete in the World Cup.  By the time the field has been narrowed to the final 32 who take the pitch in the host country ever four years, literally thousands of matches have been played to whittle the field.

Then, and only then, does the nation have a right to fight through a group stage where a top 2 (of 4) finish is required to move on to a single elimination (or knock-out) stage of the tournament, where a team must win 4 matches in a row to become World Champions.

And, once every four years, a team does exactly that.  They endure the trials and tribulations and march into history as World Champions.  Their flag is hoisted all across their home country as their greatest hopes have been realized – they have been unified in glory, World Cup Champions.

Contributed by Daniel Rodriguez & Kyle Burkholder

Alamo Drafthouse: USA vs England World Cup Watch Party - Co-hosted by the Crocketteers

Join us on June 12, 2010 (1:00 PM) at Park North Alamo Drafthouse to watch the USA vs England World Cup Match in glorious High-Definition on the big screen. Stadium seating plus food, beer, wine. Admission is free with ticket. We will be selling Travis 250 memberships, scarves, signing up basic members, and cheering for our country. Travis 250 members receive free popcorn.

WHO

WHAT: Practice session by the Haitian team in preparation for international competition early next month in Argentina.

WHEN: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010.

WHERE: STAR Soccer Complex, 5103 David Edwards in Northeast San Antonio near the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive next to Morgan’s Wonderland.

WHY: A devastating earthquake in Haiti destroyed the country’s soccer infrastructure, so the men’s national team has been practicing in San Antonio.

ETC.: STAR is the state’s newest and most spacious soccer venue. It includes 14 lighted soccer fields and support facilities that cost $10 million to build. STAR participants may not realize it, but while they’re having fun and getting exercise, they’re contributing to a great cause. Proceeds from STAR will support the operation and maintenance of Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible family fun park specifically designed for individuals with special needs. The non-profit park and STAR were created through the vision and leadership of the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation.

CONTACT: Ed Sakiewicz at STAR – (210) 495-8686, or Bob McCullough at Morgan’s Wonderland – (210) 495-5888.

WHO:

WHAT:   Women’s Soccer Association of San Antonio’s 32nd Annual Women’s and Co-Ed Fiesta Soccer Tournament.

WHEN:   8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18.

WHERE:   STAR Soccer Complex, 5103 David Edwards, near the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive next to Morgan’s Wonderland.

WHY:   To hold a Fiesta San Antonio soccer tradition for the first time at the state’s newest and most-spacious soccer venue.

ETC.:   The Women’s Soccer Association consists of several divisions: Competitive, Recreation, Under 23, Over 30 and Co-ed. For further information, visit www.wsasa.org.
ABOUT STAR:   STAR includes 14 lighted soccer fields and support facilities that cost $10 million to build. STAR participants may not realize it, but while they’re having fun and getting exercise, they’re contributing to a great cause. Proceeds from STAR support the operation and maintenance of Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible family fun park specifically designed for individuals with special needs. For more information, visit www.starsoccersa.com. The non-profit park and STAR were created through the vision and leadership of the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation.

CONTACT:   Ed Sakiewicz at STAR – (210) 495-8686, or Bob McCullough at Morgan’s Wonderland – (210) 495-5888.

Spain is still the favorite to win World Cup 2010: With the World Cup just 57 days away, odds-maker Ladbrokes has tagged Spain as the favorite to win the 2010 World Cup. At 4/1 odds they lead the pack followed by England and Brazil at 5/1. Argentina comes in at 8/1 with Germany at 9/1. Good ole USA comes in at 66/1 and our neighbor to the south Mexico falls in at 80/1. Long shots North Korea and Honduras round out the 32 teams at a whopping 1000/1 odds.

Portsmouth beats Tottenham to reach the FA Cup Final: In what many would call the upset of the year, recently relegated Portsmouth scores two goals in extra time to defeat Tottenham 2-0 last Saturday to reach the FA Cup final. It is a chance for redemption to a miserable season for debt-ridden Portsmouth, which became the first Premier League team to seek bankruptcy protection last month and has a court-appointed administrator trying to find a buyer for the club. They will face Chelsea on May 15. The final will be shown on FSC at 10:00 am.

Philadelphia Union’s home opener draws over 34,000 and leads team to first victory. Union fans were treated to the first victory in club history in a dramatic affair at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. Sebastien Le Toux scored a hat trick, the first three goals in team history, including the game-winning strike on a free kick in the 80th minute to defeat winless DC United. Philly jumped to a 2-0 lead only to see it go away late in the game by goals by Santino Quaranta and Jaime Moreno. The game seemed headed to a tie until Alejandro Moreno was taken down twenty two yards out. Le Toux stepped up and hammered a shot passed GK Perkins to seal the victory. A crowd of 34,840 witnessed the historic event.

FC Dallas substitute Eric Avila scores goal in stoppage time to steal a point. A stoppage-time goal from substitute Eric Avila helped FC Dallas steal a point from the visiting Columbus Crew in a 2-2 tie at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday. In the 93rd minute David Ferreira shot was blocked by Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer, the ball popped back into the midfield. Avila then hit a low shot toward the far post that went in just inside the net for the equalizer. You can watch the highlight at http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/avila-ties-it-stoppage-time

Houston Dynamo drops game to league leader LA Galaxy. The Houston Dynamo suffered their first loss of the 2010 season Saturday, falling 2-0 to the LA Galaxy at Robertson Stadium. Galaxy forward scored two goals giving him five goals in three games.

Dynamo Stadium wins approval. Harris County officials on Tuesday approved the go ahead for a new Dynamo stadium. The stadium would be located on the east side of downtown, across U.S. Highway 59 from Minute Maid Park and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Construction is scheduled to start sometime this fall with the hopes of opening the stadium in time for the 2012 season.

Austin Aztex win home opener against defending champs. Austin opened the season with two goals and a shutout on strikes from Lawrence Olum and Jamie Watson for a 2-0 win over Montreal at Austin’s House Park on Sunday. The next home game for the Aztex is April 25th at House Park in downtown Austin against the Rochester Rhinos. Tickets, as well as season tickets are available now. All season tickets are flex tickets and can be used in any combination for any regular season game. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.austinaztex.com, call 512-335-8881

Former area High School soccer stars make UIL All Century Team The University Interscholastic League, as part of its Centennial Celebration, has announced the UIL All-Century Boys and Girls Soccer Teams as selected by the fans. Congratulations to Jimbo Parks, Matias Allende and Mike Lavergne of Churchill, Michael Strong and Andrew Bailey of Alamo Heights and John Nabors of Reagan for making the first team. Nathan Hughes of Churchill made the second team. Other notables on the list were Clint Dempsey of Nacodoches, Lee Nguyen of Plano East, and Jeff Agoos of Richardson Pearce. On the ladies side Blakely Low of Alamo Heights made the first team and Sandra Miller of San Antonio Madison made the third team.

Soccer on TV this week. Courtesy of Soccer America. http://www.socceramerica.com
WEDNESDAY, April 14

ESPN2
England TOTTENHAM-ARSENAL (live) 2 pm.

ESPN DEPORTES
Spain XEREZ-ATLETICO MADRID (live) 1 pm.
Spain DEPORTIVO-BARCELONA (live) 3 pm.
Mexico PACHUCA-CRUZ AZUL (live) 8 pm.

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
England WIGAN-PORTSMOUTH (live) 1:30 pm.

FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL
England WIGAN-PORTSMOUTH (live) 1:30 pm.
Copa Libertadores EMELEC-INTERNACIONAL (live) 5:30 pm.
Copa Libtertadores RACING-CORINTHIANS (live) 7:30 pm.

FOX SOCCER PLUS
England ASTON VILLA-EVERTON (live) 1:40 pm.

GOL TV
Spain REAL ZARAGOZA-MALLORCA (live) 1 pm.

THURSDAY, April 15

ESPN2
MLS PHILADELPHIA-TORONTO (live) 6 pm.

ESPN DEPORTES
MLS PHILADELPHIA-TORONTO (live) 6 pm.

FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL
Copa Libertadores CATOLICA-FLAMENGO (delay) 3 pm.
Copa Libertadores LANUS-CLUB UNIVERSITARIO (live) 5:30 pm.
Copa Libertadores DEP. COLO COLO-CRUZEIRO (live) 7:30 pm.

GOL TV
Spain ALMERIA-REAL MADRID (live) 1 pm.
Spain VALENCIA-ATH. BILBAO (live) 3 pm.

FRIDAY, April 16

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
Italy INTER MILAN-JUVENTUS (live) 1:30 pm.

FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL
Italy INTER MILAN-JUVENTUS (live) 1:30 pm.
Copa Libtertadores VELEZ SARSFIELD-DEP. ITALIA (delay) 4 pm.

SATURDAY, April 17

ESPN2
England MANCHESTER CITY-MANCHESTER UNITED (live) 6:45 am.

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
England BLACKBURN-EVERTON (live) 9 am.
England TOTTENHAM-CHELSEA (live) 11:30 pm.
England SUNDERLAND-BURNLEY (delay) 1:30 pm.
MLS LA GALAXY-REAL SALT LAKE (live) 9:30 pm.

FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL
England BLACKBURN-EVERTON (live) 9 am.
England TOTTENHAM-CHELSEA (live) 11:30 pm.
Mexico JAGUARES-CLUB INDIOS (delay) 6 pm.
MLS LA GALAXY-REAL SALT LAKE (live) 9:30 pm.

FOX SOCCER PLUS
England BIRMINGHAM CITY-HULL CITY (live) 9 am.
England WEST BROM-MIDDLESBROUGH (live) 11 am.
Italy CHIEVO-LIVORNO (delay) 1:30 pm.
England FULHAM-WOLVERHAMPTON (delay) 3:30 pm.

TELEFUTURA
MLS HOUSTON-CHIVAS USA (live) 3 pm.

MLS DIRECT KICK
MLS SEATTLE-KANSAS CITY (live) 2 pm.
MLS DC UNITED-CHICAGO (live) 6:30 pm.
MLS NEW YORK-DALLAS (live) 6:30 pm.
MLS SAN JOSE-NEW ENGLAND (live) 9 pm.

SUNDAY, April 18

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
Italy SAMPDORIA-AC MILAN (live) 8 am.
England PORTSMOUTH-ASTON VILLA (live) 10 am.
Italy LAZIO-ROMA (live) 1:30 pm.
WPS BOSTON-PHILADLEPHIA (live) 5 pm.

FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL
Italy SAMPDORIA-AC MILAN (live) 8 am.
England PORTSMOUTH-ASTON VILLA (live) 10 am.
Italy LAZIO-ROMA (live) 1:30 pm.

FOX SOCCER PLUS
England WIGAN-ARSENAL (live) 7:30 am.
England STOKE CITY-BOLTON (delay) 9:30 am.
Italy LAZIO-ROMA (delay) 4 pm.
Argentina RACING-VELEZ SARAFIELD (live) 5 pm.

Heck, we really didn’t care about all that. We were having fun, getting outside, running around, kicking the ball and just being kids. Of course, that was long before the organized competitive clubs and leagues of youth soccer started in the Dallas area.

Obviously, a lot has changed in almost forty, uh, that is, all those years. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the DFW metroplex saw many quality soccer complexes created and developed. Although most of my games were played on less-than-stellar city fields, I also enjoyed some of the best soccer fields in North Texas. More recently, just before I moved to San Antonio in 2007, I played a couple of seasons at the Pizza Hut Park soccer complex in Frisco, Texas.

I know what you’re thinking: why is he writing about soccer fields in another city? Please bear with me and you will have the answer.

One recent Sunday afternoon, I drove my car into a nearly full parking lot, found an empty spot and parked. It was a nice, warm sunny afternoon with a slight breeze. As I walked toward the main gates, the area was teeming with activity: moms, dads, kids and coaches – all going in all directions.

The tall metal fence and the main building blocked my view from what was happening inside. I maneuvered through the throng of people, to the other side of the gate, and found that I had emerged in San Antonio’s newest “Soccer Heaven”, the STAR Soccer Complex.

A few minutes later, I was joined by Michael Macias and his wife Gina, and James Hope. We were there as representatives of the Crocketteers to meet with Dr. Edward Sakiewicz, the Director of the complex. It was a busy day for Dr. Ed as there was a youth tournament being held at the fields.

We sat in Dr. Ed’s office as he described some of the long range goals for the park. When he finished, we presented him with a special Crocketteers plaque for his office.

Dr. Sakiewicz then took us on a tour of the complex. We walked outside onto one of the fields. I slowly panned my view over the 14 fields – some of which had games being played. The sidewalks, the light stands, the sounds of parents cheering. A wave of nostalgia swept over me as I remembered playing as a kid.

Dr. Ed introduced us to a few local soccer legends who were there coaching their teams. Clearly, the STAR Soccer Complex had made a big impression on them, as well.

So what does all this have to do with my soccer experience in Dallas?

San Antonio has joined the other major cities in Texas with its own first-class, top-rate soccer complex. These fields are as good as you’ll find anywhere else in the state.

But it’s not only the quality of the fields that makes this place so important. The big picture, the big plan is very special. Click here to find out how the STAR Soccer Complex supports Morgan’s Wonderland.

While San Antonio plays soccer, the real winners will be the visitors to Morgan’s Wonderland.

Let’s discuss the future of pro soccer in San Antonio, any ideas, and how to grow our group/brand.

We will have a special guest speaker, Ed Sakiewicz.

Ed will discuss MLS in San Antonio and the upcoming Texas Pro Soccer Festival. The festival will bring 4 MLS teams to the Alamo City and Ed will call on the Crocketteers to be a big part of making the festival a success. Who knows? Maybe us Crocketteers will get to meet the likes of Stuart Holden and Brian Ching of the US National Team. To learn more about the festival, please visit the official site at http://www.texasprosoccerfest.com/. Ed has strong MLS relationships including Commissioner Garber and his brother Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner of the Philadelphia Union. Please take a minute to read Ed’s Bio.

RSVP for this event on facebook or commenting on this post.

Thanks to Jason Davis of Match Fit USA for finding this information.

The former president of Mexican club Necaxa, Antonio de Alba, tells the paper that he is in “advanced” discussion with MLS to acquire an expansion franchise for the Texas city.

He also indicates that he has discussed the plan with the mayor’s office and the owner of the San Antonio Spurs as well.

http://www.matchfitusa.com/2009/08/san-antonio-mls-rumors-surface.html

He references a Mexican news publication, La Jornada, as the source of these intriguing rumors.

Vamos bastante avanzados en las pláticas con gente de la MLS, porque sería un equipo de expansión, toda vez que en San Antonio no hay clubes.

También ya tuvimos contacto con el dueño de Spurs de San Antonio de la NBA y con el alcalde Julián Castro, quienes están interesados en apoyar el proyecto y en llevar la franquicia a ese condado, aprovechando que hay muchos latinos y es un gran mercado”, dijo De Alba, también ex presidente del patronato de Fomento al Futbol de Aguascalientes.

The original publication can be read here.

Thoughts? It has me excited.

Remember the year 2005?

The drive to bring Major League Soccer to San Antonio officially got underway Friday as San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza kicked off the effort to secure 5,000 season ticket commitments in 100 days (Aug. 17, 2005).

The season ticket commitments comprise one of three measures the city must take to obtain an MLS team that would begin play at the Alamodome as early as the start of the 2006 season. The other measures are securing an ownership group and finalizing plans for constructing a state-of-the-art training complex, complete with youth fields.

link

Remember 2005 a little better now?

The above excerpt was from an article originally published on Major League Soccer’s website 4 years ago. I remember being on that web page, excited for my hometown while living in Houston, Texas.  As a result of then Mayor Ed Garza’s efforts, the ball was finally rolling and things were on track for San Antonio to be the second Texas team in Major League Soccer. The Alamodome would finally have a tenant roughly 4 years after the San Antonio Spurs played their last ball game there.  However, here we are today, 7 years without a team who can call the Dome home.

I know. I know. That will change in a few years, when the UTSA Roadrunner football team will play its first ever home game. Regardless, Mayor Ed Garza was on his way out, with Phil Hardberger slated to take over. Two months later …

…incoming mayor Phil Hardberger said at a news conference that the proposed deal with MLS didn’t make financial sense for the city.

“Goodbye. That’s what I would tell MLS,” Hardberger said.

But MLS officials said goodbye first in a terse letter to outgoing Mayor Ed Garza, a strong proponent of bringing pro soccer to the Alamodome.

The letter, signed by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, said the work of Garza and league officials was undercut by politically driven criticisms that didn’t take into consideration the benefits to the city.

link

And that was that.  San Antonio’s last real opportunity to step into the world of professional soccer ended with a blink of an eye.

“This has been changed at the 12th hour due to politics, and it is appalling,” Garber later said in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News.

The letter said the criticisms impeded the effort to sell 5,000 season tickets or recruit local investors, two requirements MLS had set for granting a team in 2006.

San Antonio would have been awarded their second top level sports franchise by pursuing Major League Soccer the proper way and for the cheap. On the flip side, the entire sports nation witnessed Mayor Hardberger and other local officials failed attempt to “steal” an NFL franchise from the City of New Orleans as it was trying to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I digress.

With Mayor Hardberger now out, Julian Castro in, would Major League Soccer even look back in San Antonio’s direction?

In 2011, 18 teams will take the field compared to 12 teams in 2006 when San Antonio would have fielded a team. On top of that fact MLS has been expanding at a faster than normal rate, soccer specific stadia are being built or in the planning stages of being built all across the country.  With that said, the bar is set significantly higher (as well as the price) to get into Major League Soccer this time around.

Major League Soccer may (if the stars are properly aligned) or may not take a look, but does that mean professional soccer is dead in San Antonio? With the Austin Aztex in it’s first season in the USL-1 (United Soccer Leagues) , San Antonio is the only major city in Texas without a professional soccer club.

If San Antonio is to have another opportunity at professional soccer, there will be a need to have a strong ownership group and a willingness to help secure a stadium (preferably soccer specific) for a future club.

If another opportunity does arrive again, be it MLS or USL, hopefully new city leadership under Mayor Julian Castro will see the benefits this time around.

A while back, we published an open letter to MLS Commissioner Don Garber. We will republished it soon followed by a new Open Letter to Mayor Julian Castro.

-Victory or Death -