Two weeks ago, Waco SC hinted at a return; just last week, they showed off their brand new badge. Years ago we shared a similar article about the the club, but its high time we got a refresher course. When we reached out for some answers, Executive Director, Jarrod Barton, was happy to catch us up.

Tell us the origin story of your club - when was the club founded? By whom and what was its mission?
Waco Soccer Club began as FC Waco in 2018 as a true grassroots project.

We were proud to be one of the founding clubs in the Texas Division of the UPSL, launching with a simple belief: Waco deserved a platform for high-level soccer that reflected our community.

The club was started by myself alongside my close friend Cal Carter, but in truth it was built by a collective. Volunteer coaches, local supporters, parents, and players all played a role in turning an idea into something tangible. What started as a men’s team quickly grew into something much larger. Within just a few years, we expanded to 18 youth teams under our banner a testament to the hunger for the game in Central Texas and the trust of the local soccer community.

From day one, our mission has remained consistent:

To cultivate a club that represents the very best of Waco on and off the field.

We exist to inspire, develop, and support the growth of the game we love. Creating real pathways for players to reach their potential, building a culture that families are proud to be part of, and establishing a brand that stands for excellence in everything it does.

At its core, Waco SC was never just about playing soccer games. It's about building something that brings people together through the beauty of the game while showing pride for our community and how together our strength is able to compete on a national scale.

You were on hiatus? What caused the break and what inspired the return?
The COVID-19 pandemic hit us particularly. At the time, we had just experienced a period of rapid growth. Looking back, that growth outpaced our infrastructure. We were building momentum on the field and in the community, but behind the scenes we weren’t yet structured to absorb the kind of disruption the pandemic created.

When facilities shut down and access became limited, our men’s team was forced to cease operations. Without that anchor, the youth academy also felt the strain. Rather than allow standards to drop, our amazing coaches made the difficult decision to help many of our youth players transition into other organizartions where they could continue receiving the highest level of support and opportunity. They did what was best for the players even when it was painful for the club.

The hiatus wasn’t the end. It was an opportunity to rebuild... properly

I took full responsibility for the structural shortcomings and used the time to reflect, learn, and rebuild properly. Over the past few years, I’ve spent countless hours studying sustainable club models, speaking with other founders, analyzing league structures, and developing a long-term operational plan that prioritizes stability, governance, and community alignment.

The return isn’t driven by ego or unfinished business, it’s driven by clarity. I now understand what it takes to build something that lasts with the 2026 world cup coming up the opportunity was perfect to begin the rebuild right now.

The break taught me discipline. The rebuild is intentional. And the mission remains the same: to create a club that Waco can be proud of for decades, not just seasons

Tell us about your new badge and colors – how does it connect to the community and has it evolved over time or always been the same?
Our new badge represents growth...

It’s heavily inspired by our former identity but refined with intention. From the beginning, we wanted something that was unmistakably Waco. The centerpiece of the badge is the Waco Suspension Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks in our city’s history. Completed in 1870, it was the longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi and built by the same company that later constructed the Brooklyn Bridge. More than just a structure, it was a bold statement of ambition by early Wacoans. It connected the Chisholm Trail across the Brazos River and helped establish Waco as a place of movement, commerce, and growth.

That symbolism matters to us.

We see the bridge as a metaphor for what this club aims to be a connector. Between past and future. Between youth and senior players. Between local families and a larger soccer culture. It represents vision, courage, and belief in building something lasting. As the first modern minor league soccer club in Waco, we feel that same responsibility to lay foundations for what comes next.

Our colors carry that same intentional meaning.

Navy Blue represents the Brazos River: the most powerful and defining natural feature in our community. It symbolizes strength, resilience, and depth.

Gold stands for excellence. It reflects our ambition to set a new standard for soccer in Waco: on the field, in our operations, and in how we serve the community.

White represents unity and integrity. It symbolizes the community coming together under one badge, one identity, and one shared vision. It also reflects a commitment to doing things the right way as we grow.

This badge isn’t just a redesign. It’s an evolution, rooted in our past but built with intention for the future.

What league or leagues does your club participate in and why did you choose those to join?
As we prepare for our 2027 return, we are in the final stages of evaluating league participation.

One of the biggest lessons from our first chapter was the importance of building on the right foundation. Rather than rushing into a decision, we’re carefully assessing which platform best supports long term sustainability, competitive integrity, and growth within the Waco market.

There are several strong pathways available. The League for Clubs presents an appealing independent model focused on club autonomy and sustainable growth. United Premier Soccer League offers year-round competition and a broad national footprint. USL League Two is widely respected as a premier pre-professional environment for player development.

Each provides different strategic advantages.

Long term, I’ve always believed Waco is a market capable of supporting professional soccer... potentially even at the USL League One level. But ambition has to be matched with structure. Our immediate priority is identifying the league that allows us to establish a healthy, well-governed, community-rooted foundation first.

The goal isn’t just to play. It’s to build something sustainable that can grow year after year.

In the near future, we’ll officially announce our league alignment. Whatever platform we choose will reflect our commitment to doing this the right way, from day one.

Many clubs choose to sell hats, scarves or replica kits - how does your club keep the lights on and cover its league costs? How can interested people support you?
Like most community driven clubs, our model is built on a mix of sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise. At its core, it’s built on people.

Local business partnerships are a major pillar for us. We see sponsorships as true collaborations, not just logo placements. When local companies invest in the club, they’re investing in the growth of soccer culture in Waco.

Matchday revenue will also play a significant role as we relaunch in 2027. Creating an atmosphere people want to be part of: families, young players, longtime fans is central to making the club sustainable.

Merchandise is another key stream, and we’re approaching it intentionally. Within the next couple of weeks, we’ll be launching our official online shop at shop.wacosc.com, starting with our limited Founding Member kits. These pieces aren’t just products... they’re markers of the club’s rebirth.

Beyond that, we’re building our first “fashion-first” collection: hats, hoodies, t-shirts, scarves, flags, and other memorabilia designed to look just as good in the streets of our community as they do on matchday. We want our brand to feel premium, authentic, and representative of the city.

For those who want to support us, there are several ways:

Attend matches when we kick off in 2027
Partner with us as a sponsor
Become a Founding Member
Wear the badge proudly

At this stage, every supporter truly makes a difference. We’re doing our best to build this with the community..

How do you participate in, or give back to your community?
Waco SC exists to serve the community, not just compete in it.

From our earliest days, youth development and access have been central to our mission. As we relaunch, we’re focused on rebuilding clear local pathways so young players in Waco can grow and compete without having to leave the city.

Beyond the field, we’re committed to partnering with local schools, businesses, and community organizations to create affordable matchday experiences, host clinics and camps, and use the club as a platform to bring people together.

Soccer is one of the most unifying sports in the world. If we do this right, Waco SC won’t just represent the city. It will actively strengthen it.

If there were one or two teams, within a 100 miles of you, to play a friendly against – who would you play and why?
One of our long-term dreams is to compete in the U.S. Open Cup and earn the opportunity to face an MLS side. If we’re talking dream scenario, a friendly against Austin FC would be incredible. They’ve built something special in Texas, and to see Waco SC test itself against a top-flight club in their stadium would mean a great deal to our players and supporters. It represents our dare to dream big.

On a more realistic note, I’ve always had tremendous respect for Fort Worth Vaqueros FC. They’ve been pioneers in the Texas lower-division scene and have shown what’s possible when a club commits to identity and community. A friendly against them would feel meaningful. A strong test on the field and a celebration of independent soccer culture in our region.

Both matchups represent different parts of our vision: ambition at the highest level, and respect for the grassroots foundation of the game.

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