The backbone of their existence, the Lobos Immigration Project, runs through everything Hill Country Lobos do. Founded in 1996, they’ve focused on making a community and accommodating environment for immigrants through futbol - we wanted to know everything we could about the club and club representative, Erick Villalba was kind enough to answer our questions.

Tell us the origin story of Hill Country Lobos - when was the club founded? By whom and what was its mission?
The club was founded in 1996 as Galaxia SC by David Walding. It began as a way to help integrate unaccompanied minors into the local community through soccer, providing not just a place to play, but a sense of belonging. In 2016, the club was rebranded as Hill Country Lobos, but the mission has remained the same: to create accessible pathways for players to grow in the sport regardless of financial or personal background. We’ve always been a player-first club focused on development, opportunity, and community impact.

Tell us about your badge and colors – how does it connect to the community?
Our primary identity centers around the “Lobos” (wolves), symbolizing unity, resilience, and the strength of the pack—values that reflect both our players and the community we serve. Within the club, “La Manada” represents our affiliated youth academy, where players begin their journey. As we’ve grown, we’ve expanded our identity to include the Hill Country Linces, representing our USL W team. While the branding has evolved over time, the core idea has stayed consistent: representing a collective that supports and elevates one another.

What league or leagues does your club participate in and why did you choose those to join?
We currently compete in USL League Two, having joined for the 2024 season. The league provides a highly competitive environment and a clear pathway for players aiming to reach the professional level while maintaining their eligibility. It aligns perfectly with our development-first philosophy. In the summer of 2026, we’ll be expanding with our women’s side, Hill Country Linces, competing in the USL W League to provide similar high-level opportunities for female players in Central Texas.

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 many community-driven clubs, we rely on a combination of sponsorships, community partnerships, and grassroots support. Our focus has always been on accessibility, so we work hard to keep costs low for players while sustaining operations through local backing. Supporters can get involved by attending matches, purchasing tickets (https://tickets-hillcountrysoccer.com), shopping our merchandise (https://hillcountry-soccer.com/shop), partnering with the club, or supporting broader initiatives like the Lobos Immigration Project, which extends our mission beyond the field.

How did you finish last year? What are the goals for your next season?
Our 2024 season marked our inaugural campaign in USL League Two, where we finished 6th in our conference. In 2025, we improved our points total significantly—more than doubling it from 5 to 11—but in an increasingly competitive conference, that still saw us finish 7th. Moving forward, our goal is to turn that progress into results by climbing the table, continuing to develop top talent, and establishing ourselves as a premier development club in Central Texas while consistently competing at a high level.

How do you participate in, or give back to your community?
Community involvement is at the heart of everything we do. Beyond the pitch, our Lobos Immigration Project provides affordable, culturally grounded immigration support for families in Central Texas. This initiative grew directly from our founder’s experiences and reflects our commitment to creating opportunity not just for players, but for the broader community. We also focus on youth development and creating inclusive spaces for players of all backgrounds.

If there were one or two teams, within a 100 miles of you, to play a friendly against – who would you play and why?
Central Texas has a growing and competitive soccer landscape, so there are plenty of great matchups nearby. We always welcome opportunities to play against strong regional sides, as those matches help raise the level of competition and strengthen the local soccer community. Any chance to bring fans together and showcase the talent in this region is something we value.

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