‍Introduction

Welcome to another TeamPlayr Club Spotlight, where we highlight youth sports organizations making a real impact in their communities. Today, we’re speaking with Marissa Trevino, Director of Operations at Corpus Christi FC (CCFC), about the club’s approach to player development, college pathways, and their ambitious expansion into professional soccer. If you’re a young player or a parent in South Texas, this interview will give you valuable insights into what CCFC offers and how they’re shaping the future of soccer in the region.

Club Background: A Growing Soccer Powerhouse

Allen Hamilton: Marissa, thanks for joining us! Can you start by telling us a bit about your background in soccer and your role at Corpus Christi FC?

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Marissa Trevino: Absolutely! I grew up playing soccer in the area when it was still a small community here in Corpus Christi. Over time, the sport has grown tremendously, and now we have multiple clubs in the region. I initially started behind the scenes at CCFC, helping with rosters and scheduling. About three years ago, I took on the Director of Operations role, overseeing everything from youth teams to our professional USL1 squad.

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Allen Hamilton: When was Corpus Christi FC founded, and who started the club?

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Marissa Trevino: CCFC was founded in 2017 by Dr. Kingsley Okonkwa, a local pediatrician who is passionate about both soccer and education.

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Allen Hamilton: How many youth teams does CCFC currently have?

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Marissa Trevino: Right now, we have 25 teams spanning all age groups, from three-year-olds to professional players.

Corpus Christi FC’s Player Development Philosophy

Allen Hamilton: Player development is a hot topic in US soccer. How does CCFC approach developing young players?

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Marissa Trevino: We’re different from recreational programs because we have trained coaches with soccer experience who follow a structured curriculum. Our Director of Coaching, Manuel Iwabuchi, provides weekly lesson plans and regularly checks on the training progress.

To align players with our long-term goals, we send out pre-game forms to parents, explaining what we’re working on that week. While we all love winning, our focus is on long-term player progression—ensuring U3s are ready for U8, U8s for U10, and so on.

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Allen Hamilton: Do you track specific performance metrics?

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Marissa Trevino: Yes, our coaches meet regularly to discuss progress and problem areas. We emphasize self-accountability by having players analyze their decisions during training. You’ll often see our coaches taking notes during sessions, tracking player progress.

Pathways to College & Professional Soccer

Allen Hamilton: You mentioned preparing players for college scholarships. Can you expand on that?

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Marissa Trevino: Yes! Our USL2 team has strong ties to college scouts. We’re also working to host the first-ever college showcase in Corpus Christi, giving exposure to local talent who usually have to travel to San Antonio.

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Allen Hamilton: How does CCFC integrate its youth players into higher levels like UPSL and USL2?

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Marissa Trevino: Our youth academy players get direct opportunities to train with UPSL and USL2 squads. Coaches identify promising players and invite them to train at higher levels, ensuring a seamless pathway from youth to pro.

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Allen Hamilton: And I hear CCFC is preparing for something even bigger?

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Marissa Trevino: That’s right! We are launching our USL1 team in March 2026. We’ve already completed Phase 1 of building our own soccer facility, and Phase 2 (youth fields) is underway. The final stage will be constructing our stadium.

Supporting Players On & Off the Field

Allen Hamilton: Does CCFC provide formal programs beyond soccer, like tutoring or college recruiting help?

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Marissa Trevino: Yes, we have a strong educational support system. Our club is owned by a pediatrician who prioritizes academics. Many of our staff members have backgrounds in education, and we offer tutoring for struggling students. Parents can reach out anytime for academic support.

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Allen Hamilton: Do you have any recent success stories?

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Marissa Trevino: Yes! We just had five U18 players move up to our UPSL men's team, and they’ve already signed with colleges. We also have nine players who have gone pro, including Ollie Wright, who started with our USL2 team and has since moved up professionally while staying connected to the club.

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Advice for Young Athletes & Parents

Allen Hamilton: For parents new to the soccer world, what advice would you give them?

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Marissa Trevino: My biggest advice is: practice doesn’t make perfection, it makes progress. To reach the next level, players must train outside of structured practices—at least six days a week while balancing recovery.

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Allen Hamilton: What should players interested in CCFC do to get involved?

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Marissa Trevino: Anyone interested can register at CCFCAcademy.com or email us at CCFC4Youth@gmail.com for tryout details.

Join the CCFC Family

As Corpus Christi FC continues to grow, they remain committed to developing top-tier talent, providing college pathways, and soon competing at the USL1 professional level. If you’re an aspiring soccer player in South Texas, now is the perfect time to explore what CCFC has to offer.

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📢 Support CCFC this season! If you’re in Texas, come watch the USL2 team as they aim for a championship title.

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For more soccer insights, club spotlights, and player development tips, subscribe to TeamPlayr’s blog and follow us on social media! ⚽🔥

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