This week on bigcitysmalltown, we look at the evolving landscape of professional soccer in San Antonio, focusing on San Antonio FC and their role in building international connections through sport.
Host Bob Rivard and Co-Host Cory Ames are joined in the studio by Marco Ferruzzi, San Antonio FC Sporting Director, and Jose Lizardo, Director of Toyota Field and Star Soccer Complex. Together, they discuss San Antonio FC’s decade-long growth, the challenges of operating within the USL Championship, and what the club’s new partnerships with teams in Darmstadt, Germany, and Las Palmas, Spain, mean for local fans and the city’s global profile.
They examine:
- The origins and community-driven mission of San Antonio FC
- The practical and cultural complexities of organizing international friendlies
- What San Antonio can learn from its European sister clubs—and vice versa
- How the USL compares to other leagues, and the future of promotion and relegation in U.S. soccer
- The club’s commitment to youth development, accessibility, and community outreach
- The ongoing effort to grow local attendance and build a sustainable soccer culture in San Antonio
With thoughtful conversation on the business, technical, and civic aspects of professional soccer, this episode offers insight into where the sport is headed in the city and what it means for San Antonio’s place on the international stage.
RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:
▶️ #126. Mayor Ron Nirenberg on 8 Years of Progress—and What Comes Next for San Antonio – As Mayor Ron Nirenberg prepares to leave office, he joins host Bob Rivard to reflect on San Antonio’s biggest achievements and ongoing challenges, from affordable housing and workforce development to climate action and civic leadership. Discover how vision, resilience, and community engagement have shaped the city’s evolution—and what lies ahead for its future.
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