Soccer‘s early Roots in San Antonio Linked too Immigrant Communities, Veteran Players
SAN ANTONIO - Soccer in San Antonio predates teh city’s modern professional teams by decades, with its earliest organized play in the 1920s deeply intertwined with the experiences of Mexican immigrants and soldiers returning from World war I.newly resurfaced details reveal a vibrant, if short-lived, soccer scene fueled by communities seeking connection and recreation in a rapidly changing city.
The sport’s initial growth wasn’t driven by formal leagues, but by teams formed within neighborhoods and workplaces, particularly among Mexican families who had recently emigrated to San Antonio. These early teams provided a vital social outlet and a sense of belonging for newcomers navigating a new country. Simultaneously, soldiers stationed at nearby military bases, many with prior exposure to soccer during their service abroad, helped introduce and popularize the game.
One prominent figure was José de la Peña, who formed a team in 1926 comprised largely of players from the Lone Star Brewery. The San Antonio Light reported on their matches, noting the team’s skill and enthusiastic following. However,de la Peña’s life was tragically cut short in 1937 when he was struck by a Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) locomotive while crossing South Presa Street,according to the Light.
Another key individual was John W. Jory, originally from England but living in Mexico when he met his wife, Luz (later Lucy). The couple hosted family members who emigrated to San Antonio, and Jory was involved with Dailey’s Budget Shop on West Houston Street. While his direct involvement with soccer teams isn’t fully documented, his story exemplifies the international connections that contributed to the sport’s early presence in the city.
Organized soccer play experienced a decline in the early 1930s, but the foundation laid by these early teams and players paved the way for the sport’s eventual resurgence in San Antonio. Further research into de la Peña’s team and its members is ongoing, with anyone possessing additional data encouraged to contact the history column. This early chapter in San Antonio soccer history underscores the sport’s enduring power to unite communities and reflects the city’s rich immigrant heritage.
