There is no doubt Brownsville ISD has become the Valley’s hotbed for soccer over the past two decades. The six-team school district is home to four of the Valley’s six state champions in the sport.
It should come as no surprise then that the district is also home to arguably the most competitive boys soccer tournament in South Texas – the historic BISD Soccer Tournament.
The school district is set to host the 40th rendition of the event beginning at 9 a.m. today at the Brownsville Sports Park in Brownsville.
“Historically, whoever comes out on top in the final, usually we’ve seen those teams make it to the regional or state tournament,” Brownsville Porter head coach Jose Espitia said. “Back in the day, the Brownsville tournament was the only tournament around. All the Valley would be in our tournament. It was practically a test to see who was the strongest, and usually the strongest team was the one with the most depth. It was very rare that the champion didn’t make it to the state tournament. It is a good test for all of us.”
This year’s field is made up of 25 teams from across the Valley, Coastal Bend and Laredo areas. Of those 25 teams, 18 advanced to the postseason in their respective classes last season, setting up for a highly competitive three-day event.
This year’s pool also includes five former state champions in Brownsville Lopez (2004), Brownsville Porter (2006, 2016), Brownsville Rivera (2015), Hidalgo (2009) and Sharyland High (2012).
“Most of the top-ranked teams in the region are going to be there at the tournament,” Espitia said. “I’m talking about Sharyland, Juarez-Lincoln, Laredo LBJ and the Brownsville schools to name a few. Then you have all those teams that are sleepers, too, like Harlingen High and PSJA Memorial. … We’re excited about it and we’re expecting great soccer. With the format we did, it is going to measure and find a way to bring the best team from every pool to the finals. Whoever wins the gold is going to make a case as the best team in the Valley overall.”
The 25 teams are divided into eight different pools for Day 1, with seven pools made up of three teams and one pool made up of four. The winner of each pool advances to the gold bracket Friday, with the remaining teams separated into the silver or bronze brackets.
Several big-time matchups are slated for opening day, including a contest between the last two teams standing during last year’s Class 5A playoffs, the Brownsville Porter Cowboys and Sharyland High Rattlers.
The Cowboys’ season came to an end in the Region IV-5A final, with the Rattlers bowing out one round prior in the regional semifinals.
“It is always good to go up against tough opponents and tough competition because we can see what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are,” Sharyland High head coach Jorge Guerra said. “It is a little early, of course, but it is always a good way to start so we can start adjusting what we need to get into district play a little bit better. Porter is a big program and they’re always doing big runs in the playoffs so hopefully this will give good experience for our guys, and we’ll see how they do.”
The Cowboys-Rattlers matchup is one of several high-profile contests taking place during pool play. Pool C features a potential postseason matchup between 32-5A’s Brownsville Lopez and 30-5A’s La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.
Pool E pits a pair of former state champions against each other, with Brownsville Rivera and Hidalgo slated to square off. Both teams qualified for the postseason last year, with the Raiders falling in the area round of the Class 6A playoffs and the Pirates’ season coming to an end in the Region IV-4A semifinals.
“I think going to this tournament gives you that edge,” Hidalgo head coach Zeke Morales said. “You get to see some of the best teams, not only in the Valley, but in the region. You’re talking about teams that have won state and know what it is to be at that level. I think anytime you get to play against those teams that have that experience and know what it is like to be there, it only makes you better.”
For the full schedule for Day 1 of the 40th annual BISD Tournament, visit RGVSports.com.
