BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Brownsville City Commissioner Tino Villarreal, Jr., as given an update on the city’s efforts to land a professional soccer franchise.
“We are currently in conversations with the United Soccer League. The USL is the largest soccer organization in the United States. It operates with multiple tier levels and multiple teams across men's and women's sports,” Villarreal said.
“The league works by partnering with local ownership groups that will not only drive a professional team home, but will also impact the economic development and the sports tourism of the community.”
If approved in Brownsville, the USL would bring new professional soccer franchise to the Brownsville Sports Park, Villarreal explained. “This includes both men and women's soccer teams, creating both athletic and entertainment opportunities for our visitors.”
He said the vision for this initiative includes significant investment in the Brownsville Sports Park with a comprehensive build out that could feature a brand new revamped stadium and a possible new indoor multi purpose facility, upgraded training facilities, new retail space, a possible hotel and expanding the parking infrastructure.
“For Brownsville, the arrival of a USL team would mean new jobs, youth development pathways, starting from young kids all the way to a professional level, tourism revenue and, more importantly, community pride,” Villarreal said.
“Ultimately, this investment and public private partnership not only will bring Brownsville its first professional team in history, it's going to bring jobs, tourism and enhance our quality of life.”
Villarreal made his comments in a video that played during Brownsville Mayor John Cowen’s 2026 State of the City address. It was held at the Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center.
In addition to soccer, Villarreal also spoke about his city’s Youth Advisory Council
“As one of the few cities in the state that has a Youth Advisory Board, we have increased its participation with over 30 students representing every public, private, charter and home school,” Villarreal said.
“Now in its third year, it is providing these young leaders with direct exposure to city operations, public policy discussions and civic engagement opportunities.”
Villarreal said members of the advisory council collaborate with city officials, attend meetings, develop community initiatives and learn firsthand how local government functions.
“One of the proudest things our Youth Advisory Board does is real leadership in action. They control the one city youth Scholarship Fund, where all young people from Brownsville come to them to ask for assistance and aid as they represent our city, across the world, across our country,” Villarreal said.
“As an educator, it's been so rewarding for me to stay involved, because beyond leadership training, this is real leadership in action. These are not young people going through a course. These are young people actually leading Brownsville today.”
Villarreal, who is in his third year in office, said congratulations are in order for Mayor Cowen, the City Commission, and every single city employee.
“Every year it seems that we reach different benchmarks and it's harder to surpass what has been done before. But Brownsville is on the rise, and we are going to continue to grow, and we are going to continue to prosper,” he added.
