MISSION CITY YOUTH SOCCER ORGANIZATION

SERVING SAN ANTONIO WITH AFFORDABLE YOUTH SOCCER SINCE 1991

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About Mission City Youth Soccer Organization

“WE BELIEVE that by taking a multidisciplinary approach to developing strong character, work ethic, and a sense of community, we can equip youth to rise above their challenges and reach their full potential.”

Mission City Youth Soccer Organization has been serving the South San Antonio community for over four decades, providing a place for local youth to enjoy the beautiful game. Misison City Soccer Complex is home to multiple youth soccer clubs, tournaments, leagues, high school and college teams, adult amateur teams, and the MCYSO Youth Soccer League.

Organizational Goals and Objectives:
It is our goal to provide the best programs and staff available to meet the fitness needs of our members. We will strive to be the premier provider of youth soccer services to the southside of Bexar County and surrounding areas. MCYSO will proactively transform the local and surrounding communities, providing an atmosphere that will promote education, health and fitness, and community involvement. MCYSO is determined to create a sporting atmosphere that will add to the enjoyment of every community member. The keys to success for MCYSO lies in our proven ability to market effectively, build lasting community relationships, and provide competitive soccer services.

Key Strengths and Strategies of MCYSO
 MCYSO has been in existence for more than 30 years.
 MCYSO offers soccer instruction and league activities for youth in South Bexar County at Mission City Soccer Complex in South San Antonio.
 MCYSO competes in US Soccer affiliated programs. Our local affiliation is with AAYSO, Alamo Area Youth Soccer Association.
 MCYSO develops relationships with the area organizations, including Southside ISD, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, Alamo Colleges and Texas A&M University at San Antonio.
 Exhibition soccer games are held on the Championship Field to help generate revenue for the facility and to promote the sport of soccer.
 MCSC is be the first permanent complex in far South Bexar County.

Mission

Mission City Youth Soccer Organization is dedicated to empowering youth across South Texas by providing equal access to high-quality athletic and educational programs at affordable rates, fostering growth and opportunity for all.

Vision

Mission City Youth Soccer Organization’s vision is to be recognized as a premier institution known for inspiring and empowering the next generation to lead with perseverance, integrity, and trust through the sport of soccer.

Our Purpose

The purpose of Mission City Youth Soccer Organization is to redefine community development by creating safe, educational spaces where youth are equipped to lead, inspired to grow, and challenged to rise beyond their limits.

Core Values

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of honesty and ethics, guiding our members to always do the right thing, both on and off the field, with fairness and respect.

Perseverance

We embrace the spirit of determination, teaching our members to overcome challenges, stay resilient, and push forward no matter the obstacles in their path.

Trust

We foster a culture of trust in which our members rely on one another to support their growth, pursue continuous improvement, and achieve success.

San Antonio Soccer: Our History

Mission City’s Timeline

1950s–1960s

Soccer in San Antonio began to pick up in the 1950s but was still largely informal through the early 1970s. Matches occurred primarily through immigrant communities, military installations, and adult clubs in public parks and military bases such as Fort Sam Houston and Lackland Air Force Base. While culturally significant within those communities, the sport lacked centralized youth governance, structured league systems, and long-term developmental planning.

1974 — San Antonio Thunder

San Antonio Thunder joined the North American Soccer League and competed during the 1975 and 1976 seasons. Through school clinics and community outreach initiatives, the Thunder expanded youth exposure to organized soccer and reinforced the importance of grassroots development as the foundation for long-term growth.

1975 — Formation of SAYSO

On September 30, 1975, civic leaders met at Trinity University to establish the San Antonio Youth Soccer Organization. SAYSO introduced coordinated districts, seasonal league play, and regional oversight under South Texas governance. “If you want to play soccer… all you have to do is SAY SO,” became the organization’s defining message, emphasizing open access and citywide participation.

1981 — High School Soccer Sanctioned

The University Interscholastic League officially sanctioned soccer for Texas high schools, reflecting the rapid expansion of youth participation across the region. This milestone formally embedded soccer within Texas public school athletics and strengthened the developmental pathway from community youth leagues into scholastic competition statewide.

1991 — Alamo Area

SAYSO reorganized as the Alamo Area Youth Soccer Association, transitioning governance into geographic association covering the Greater San Antonio area under South Texas Youth Soccer Association oversight. The southern area of San Antonio was called East Central Youth Soccer Association and evolved into what is today now known as Mission City Youth Soccer Organization. This established MCYSO as the primary youth soccer provider serving Southside of San Antonio and South Bexar County.

Brooks Park

Mission City operated youth programming at Brooks Park beginning in 1991, providing consistent field access and community stability during its formative years prior to the development of a permanent soccer complex.

2008 — Bexar County Bond

In 2008, Bexar County voters approved a venue tax bond package allocating $5 million for the construction of the Mission City Soccer Complex in South Bexar County. The funding enabled the transition from park-based operations to a permanent, purpose-built soccer facility designed to support youth leagues, regional tournaments, and long-term infrastructure growth.

2005 — Academy Structuring

The organization formalized its nonprofit governance under Pride of San Antonio, Inc., operating competitively as San Antonio Soccer Academy. This phase strengthened administrative oversight, financial accountability, and compliance while expanding structured youth and competitive programming.

2013 — Mission City Soccer Complex

Mission City Soccer Complex opened on approximately 40 acres with eight full-size outdoor soccer fields. The facility became the permanent home for Mission City youth leagues and hosted regional tournaments and competitive events involving clubs from across South Texas.

2015 — Regional Competition

Beginning in 2015, the complex hosted regional competition and South Texas Youth Soccer Association-sanctioned events, including youth league championships and the Copa Univision tournament. These events attracted teams from across the region and reinforced the facility’s role as a competitive hub in South Texas youth soccer.

2018 — San Antonio Runners Formed

San Antonio Runners emerged from the University of Texas at San Antonio Men’s Soccer Club, evolving into a structured competitive organization representing San Antonio in regional and national leagues, including the United Premier Soccer League. In 2022, the club expanded to include a women’s team strengthening opportunities for both men and women within a unified competitive platform.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted league operations, tournament scheduling, and youth participation. Field usage declined significantly, maintenance was deferred, and competitive play was interrupted. The facility faced operational and financial challenges that required strategic reassessment and restructuring.

2020 — COVID & Operational Struggles

2024 — MCYSO Runners Partnership

Mission City partnered with San Antonio Runners to unify youth and adult programming under a single competitive structure. San Antonio Runners became the official club for Mission City youth and adults and rebranded as MCYSO Runners under STYSA, creating a seamless developmental pathway from youth leagues through competitive adult platforms.

Redevelopment

Mission City Soccer Complex entered a redevelopment phase focused on structural assessment, field rehabilitation, drainage improvements, and modernization planning. The restoration effort aims to reestablish the complex as a premier youth and regional competition venue serving South Bexar County and the greater San Antonio community.