Harlingen ballpark repurposed for a semi-professional soccer team

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A semi-pro soccer team is getting ready to take over the diamond and revitalize it into a soccer field. The team is RGV Red Crowns Soccer Club.

The city of Harlingen and the team are working together to bring back a community hub and a promising future for young athletes.

The name is based on red crowned birds commonly spotted in the Valley.

President Jamal Fayyad says the team is ready to make a beloved Harlingen ballpark its new home.

"I see a future," said Fayyad as the city workers dug out the diamond and mount. "I'm excited because when we told people we were playing here, again we are talking about the educated fan base, they were like soccer does not belong on a baseball field."

At Harlingen Field, it's been years since fans cheered a Valley team off the bleachers, but Fayyad said that will all change in just a few months.

"The north end here that will be one goal, and right across the lockers that will be the other goal," said Fayyad as he stood above the fresh dirt on the field. He adds that fans will be able to get a unique view from at home goal.

The team's president said the vision is to form a team that will bring a promising future for young college athletes. The focus is on players from across the Valley, and Fayyad says players from foreign countries have already shown interest in being part of the Red Crowns.

Meanwhile, Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda says this will bring a community hub in the city back to life and stimulate the economy.

"This is going to be an economic driver," said Sepulveda. "We are going to have opportunities to fill out hotels, have people visit small businesses and really have the opportunity to expose Harlingen to the rest of the state."

Owner of Country Inn and Suites, Saaring Rama along the expressway agrees.

"In our hospitality industry, we love to promote tourism," said Rama "Sports is huge, so we really hope this starts a different trend in Harlingen for us."

The Red Crowns are looking to start their season sometime early summer according to its president. Fayyad said it will be affordable for Valley families.

"We want to make it affordable, from our season tickets to our game-by-game basis," said Fayyad. "We want everyone to feel invited, feel included and we don't ever want to be in a situation where we price the people out."

Also, the stadium's seating capacity leaves an opportunity to go fully professional one day, said Fayyad.