Hugo A. Sepúlveda 
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
The City of Brownsville announced Tuesday at a news conference in the Sports Park the exclusive negotiations between the city and the United Soccer League for the evaluation of bringing men and women’s second-tier, professional soccer teams.
The negotiations will take place over the next year to assess the project’s viability and would also include reimagining the Brownsville Sports Park as an entertaining district that would be anchored by a modern, multi-purpose stadium.
Mayor John Cowen said the relationship between the city and the USL started with a discussion of what could happen in Brownsville and its soccer community.
Cowen added if the negotiation advances, the vision could catalyze jobs, support small businesses and create year-round amenities for families while inspiring the next generation of local athletes.
Dan Holman, the USL chief operating officer, said the league has “nearly” 50 active professional clubs and over a dozen more expansion clubs to start in the next few years.
Holman said the USL is the “largest and fastest” growing soccer organization in the country.
He added they are committed to expanding access to the “beautiful game” and ensuring families have a local club to support.
“Our total public league spans over 200 communities nationwide,” the USL COO said. “… And we’re the first known social organization that provides integrated youth to professional pathway for both men and women.”
Holman said the United Soccer League is a community-driven and community-based league with clubs that make tremendous difference to their cities.
“When looking at expansion activities, we prioritize growth cities, transformation of … projects and civic partners who align with our vision to create a lasting legacy,” he said.
Brownsville “firmly meets these objectives,” according to Holman.
“We feel strongly [that] Brownsville will be a wonderful addition to our interest,” he said.
Tino Villarreal, Brownsville commissioner At-Large “A,” said he values “so much” the role sports plays in developing the lives of the youth.
Villarreal said nothing would give him the “biggest satisfaction” than to bring men and women’s soccer teams and pictures what the Brownsville Sports Park and the professional teams could look like in the future.
“This place is great for infrastructure, with drainage, with electricity, with everything that we need to build something beautiful,” he said.
Gustavo De León, commissioner District 3, said he believes in the youth because they are the future of Brownsville. De León added soccer is not just a sport in the area but part of the city’s culture, identity and pride.
“Building a brighter future for Brownsville creates spaces where our children can dream bigger and achieve more,” he said.
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