When Vance Flores’ child began playing soccer at the Mays YMCA five years ago, he and his family met friends with whom they shared the love of soccer.
The group occupied an entire row within a section at Toyota Field on Sunday night and cheered on San Antonio FC during what became its first United Soccer League Championship title win, 3-1 over Louisville City FC.
San Antonio advanced to the championship after a 2-0 victory Nov. 6 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC before a sold-out crowd of 8,245 fans at Toyota Field.
The cold weather didn’t stop Sunday’s crowd — also sold out — from cheering on the home team.
Fans wore red and black San Antonio FC merchandise such as beanies, scarves and T-shirts. Excitement ran high as groups of family and friends jumped up and down, waved black T-shirts in the air, and whistled and cheered. That same explosive energy carried on through the end of the game as San Antonio FC became champions of the minor-league USL for the first time in team history.
Flores, a recent fan and now a coach at the Y, sat rows behind the home goal at Sunday’s game with his three buddies, their partners and their eight children. The group has attended each San Antonio playoff game during the postseason — for the excitement and energy.
“This is our first year to come here [and] we actually bought season tickets [for] next year since we’re really involved with it,” Flores said. “We really enjoyed it.”
Flores joined several other San Antonio FC fans who said the best parts of attending the games were the fan camaraderie, the experience and to see great soccer.
“Two goals in, we’re 69 minutes in, it can’t get better,” Flores said. “We’ve dominated for all 70 minutes up to this point. For them [the kids] to see the playoff atmosphere is great.”
San Antonio FC playoff games have gotten “really big,” said Will Medrano-Gutshall, a season ticket holder for several years, referring to the number of fans the team has gained recently.
“Especially this year,” said Medrano-Gutshall.
“If they get this championship,” he said before the game was over, “hopefully we’ll get even more season tickets next year and it’s just going to build soccer here.”
Medrano-Gutshall attended the match with his wife and her friends.
“This is finally everything coming together,” Medrano-Gutshall said. “This is all they’re building for the last few years and all their hard work and getting all the pieces together.”
Jarrod Butcher, a Medina Valley Soccer Club coach, said he enjoyed watching the team’s steady progress during the season. Along with other coaching friends, Butcher attended about five playoff games this season and has been a fan since he and his family moved to San Antonio six years ago.
“Because I’m doing a lot more coaching and having my kids play, I’m interested in bringing them more frequently,” Butcher said. “We’ve talked a lot about defense and counterattack. And this team is solid on defense, and my son plays goalkeeper, so we’re big fans so far.”
During the 2022 season, San Antonio FC gained traction as it became the first team in the league to clinch a spot in the playoffs after losses by rival clubs in the Western Conference.
“It definitely inspires them,” Butcher said about his children. He predicted San Antonio would take the championship trophy home with a 2-0 score, but the final score ended up 3-1.
