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Houston youth soccer clubs could see participation rise as the World Cup arrives in North America this summer, a club leader says. 

Why it matters: More Americans are tuning into soccer ahead of the sport's most prestigious tournament, with hopes that this summer will spark the kind of breakthrough interest the 1994 World Cup did the last time it was played on American soil.

State of play: The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 and will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Houston will host seven matches starting June 14 with Germany vs. Curaçao. 

Driving the news: 37% of people anticipate their interest in soccer will increase over the next 18 months, according to Nielsen data.

Context: Soccer was still foreign to many Americans in 1994, the last time the United States hosted the World Cup. 

Houston and many cities nationwide now have men's and women's professional teams. Some fans have also started watching leagues from other countries. 

Youth participation has also increased alongside the sport's popularity. 

By the numbers: Participation in the sport has increased.

As of 2024-2025, more than 49,000 Texas high school students played soccer, per data from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

That's a nearly 31% jump from a decade earlier.

What they're saying:  "It's an exciting time to be around [soccer] right now with the World Cup coming up," Simon Boddison, director of soccer operations for HTX Soccer, tells Axios. 

"With that on a worldwide stage, that definitely helps our growth as a club and for these kids to get involved in the sport and enjoy it."

Zoom in: HTX Soccer — one of dozens of youth soccer clubs throughout the region — began operations in 2006 and has since grown to more than 8,500 players, Boddison says. 

Since it started, more than 800 club players went on to play in college and 17 have played professionally, per the club. 

"The game of soccer in the United States is continually growing," Boddison says. "It's a sport that continues to advance on a yearly basis. There's [now] more opportunities out there."

Zoom out: The Houston Dynamo, a Major League Soccer team, and Dash, the women's professional team, offer youth soccer camps throughout the year. 

They also partner with youth clubs regionally to offer opportunities for players to attend matches for free at Shell Energy Stadium.

Houston youth soccer eyes World Cup bump

The sport's most prestigious tournament kicks off in June.

17 July 1994, Pasadena, FIFA World Cup Final, Brazil v Italy - the Brazilian team hold hands as they walk out at the Rose Bowl before the match. The original trophy is seen at the FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour on May 02, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Photos: Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images/Tim Warner - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Houston youth soccer clubs could see participation rise as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/20/netherlands-oranje-fanwalk-houston-rice-stadium" data-vars-content-id="35ca7b6f-bbc1-411f-9586-eba84e7c0d52" data-vars-headline="Houston youth soccer eyes World Cup bump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/20/netherlands-oranje-fanwalk-houston-rice-stadium" target="_self">World Cup</a> arrives in North America this summer, a club leader says. Why it matters: More Americans are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tuning into" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/world-cup-2026/" data-vars-content-id="35ca7b6f-bbc1-411f-9586-eba84e7c0d52" data-vars-headline="Houston youth soccer eyes World Cup bump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/world-cup-2026/" target="_blank">tuning into</a> soccer ahead of the sport&#x27;s most prestigious tournament, with hopes that this summer will spark the kind of breakthrough interest the 1994 World Cup did the last time it was played on American soil.

Sports

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

For our newsletter's Wayback Houston series this week, we asked readers to identify what this popular attraction was from the 1940s.

The big picture: The aerial photo depicts the Texas Drive-In, also called the South Main Drive-In, which was Houston's first movie drive-in. It opened in June 1940.

The intrigue: One reader — Matt W. — correctly guessed the intersection, which is Main Street/U.S. 90 near Holmes Road. 

Catch up quick: The area is now mostly unrecognizable after decades of redevelopment and the theater's closure during the nationwide decline of drive-ins.

Yes, but: Brochsteins — visible southeast of the theater in the 1944 aerial image — is still standing in 2026.

Houston brothers Isaac and Sam Brochstein opened shop in 1935 to design high-end furniture for banks and other businesses. During World War II, they shifted to making parts for the B-24 Liberator bomber. 

Black-and-white photo of a long white industrial building with many windows, a tall water tower, and a grassy, muddy foreground; a vertical sign with circular logos stands at the front.

The Brochsteins factory in the 1940s. Photo: Courtesy of Brochsteins

Black-and-white construction site with a long brick wall supported by wooden scaffolding; stacked bricks and a man in a plaid shirt foreground.

Raymond Brochstein, the heir to his father's business, seen during the factory's construction. Photo: Courtesy of Brochsteins

State of play: Brochsteins now specializes in architectural millwork, designing and building custom wood interiors for commercial buildings. 

Its portfolio includes work on prominent buildings and offices across the Bayou City. 

The bottom line: Houston's first drive-in theater disappeared long ago, but Brochsteins remains part of the city's industrial landscape.

Wayback Houston: Texas Drive-In and Brochsteins

The aerial photo depicts the Texas Drive-In, also called the South Main Drive-In.

black and white photo of Brochsteins factory in the 1940s

<figure><img alt="Aerial shots of Houston in 1944 and 2025" height="800" id="d5976f53-951a-48c5-8b13-1ce958f2b644" src="https://images.axios.com/0I5ahv70hn0iZJ0wA7Ul2B4EU3w=/2026/05/21/1779391580623.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Photos: Google Earth</figcaption></figure>For our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newsletter&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/signup/houston" data-vars-content-id="a8bece83-c9da-404f-bd1f-05db7dc7a0e0" data-vars-headline="Wayback Houston: Texas Drive-In and Brochsteins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/signup/houston" target="_self">newsletter&#x27;s</a> Wayback Houston series this week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-houston-61f77ba5-e69c-4306-afd0-b626a6685a29.html#story4" data-vars-content-id="a8bece83-c9da-404f-bd1f-05db7dc7a0e0" data-vars-headline="Wayback Houston: Texas Drive-In and Brochsteins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-houston-61f77ba5-e69c-4306-afd0-b626a6685a29.html#story4" target="_self">we asked</a> readers to identify what this popular attraction was from the 1940s.The big picture: The aerial photo depicts the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Drive-In" data-vars-click-url="https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/30687" data-vars-content-id="a8bece83-c9da-404f-bd1f-05db7dc7a0e0" data-vars-headline="Wayback Houston: Texas Drive-In and Brochsteins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/30687" target="_blank">Texas Drive-In</a>, also called the South Main Drive-In, which was Houston&#x27;s first movie drive-in. It opened in June 1940.

News

Houston could experience flash flooding through Memorial Day, forecasters say. 

Why it matters: Your long weekend plans might be a wash. 

Threat level: The latest National Weather Service forecast indicates the flood risk is highest on Saturday for Houston and much of Southeast Texas but lasts through at least Monday. 

Repeated rounds of rainfall at the same location could inundate drainage systems and lead to street flooding, forecasters say. Some rivers and bayous could also experience minor flooding. 

Driving the news: The ground is saturated from the rain we've had so far this week, making it difficult to absorb any additional rainfall, NWS Houston meteorologist Andy McNeel tells Axios. 

What they're saying: "That raises a little bit of a natural risk for some potential flash flooding in flood-prone areas," McNeel says, adding much of the area could see 4 to 6 inches of rain by Monday. 

"We'll just need to keep an eye on ... where those locally heavier bands take shape," he says. 

Between the lines: Space City Weather's flood threat indicator is at Stage 2 of 5 this weekend indicating some streets and highways might briefly flood. 

Zoom out: Despite this weekend's heavy rain forecast, Houston and much of Texas are forecast to see below-average rainfall this summer. 

The bottom line: Forecasters advise monitoring weather conditions and having multiple ways to receive weather alerts. 

Flash flood risk looms over Houston's Memorial Day weekend

The flood risk is highest on Saturday for Houston, forecasters said.

A pickup driver navigates a rainy freeway in Houston

Rainfall on a Houston highway. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="aab00326-ca29-4d5e-b083-816fad28deb3" data-vars-headline="Flash flood risk looms over Houston&#x27;s Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> could experience flash flooding through Memorial Day, forecasters say. Why it matters: Your long weekend plans might be a wash.

Alexandra Mealer defeated state Rep. Briscoe Cain on Tuesday in the Republican runoff for a Houston-area U.S. House seat redrawn to favor the GOP.

Why it matters: With President Trump's endorsement, Mealer now heads into a closely watched November race against Democrat Leticia Gutierrez and independent Roy Morales.

State of play: Mealer, who owns a welding supply company, received 69.3% of the vote, while Cain received 30.7%, with 48% of the votes counted, per the Associated Press. The AP called the election in favor of Mealer about an hour and a half after polls closed. 

The two were the top vote-getters in the March Republican primary, but neither won enough support to avoid a runoff.

The intrigue: Trump posted about Mealer's victory on Truth Social Tuesday night. 

Flashback: The district was long represented by Democratic Rep. Al Green before Texas lawmakers redrew it in 2025. 

Green instead ran in Houston's 18th Congressional District but lost to U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee in the Democratic primary runoff Tuesday. 

Mealer wins GOP nomination for Houston's redrawn House seat

Mealer beat state Rep. Briscoe Cain to be on the November ticket.

Side-by-side photos of state Rep. Briscoe Cain and Alexandra Mealer

State Rep. Briscoe Cain and Alexandra Mealer. Photos: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images; Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Alexandra Mealer defeated state Rep. Briscoe Cain on Tuesday in the Republican runoff for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="f0cb1a20-de26-47fb-83c4-dff22101ca29" data-vars-headline="Mealer wins GOP nomination for Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a>-area U.S. House seat redrawn to favor the GOP.Why it matters: With <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s endorsement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/2026/article/trump-endorses-alex-mealer-texas-9th-21359115.php" data-vars-content-id="f0cb1a20-de26-47fb-83c4-dff22101ca29" data-vars-headline="Mealer wins GOP nomination for Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/2026/article/trump-endorses-alex-mealer-texas-9th-21359115.php" target="_blank">President Trump&#x27;s endorsement</a>, Mealer now heads into a closely watched November race against Democrat Leticia Gutierrez and independent Roy Morales.

Politics

U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee defeated U.S. Rep. Al Green on Tuesday in the Democratic runoff for Houston's newly redrawn 18th Congressional District.

Why it matters: Menefee's victory is set to end Green's two-decade run in Congress.

State of play: Menefee received 68.6% (21,678 votes), while Green received 31.4% (9,930 votes) with 61% of votes counted, per the Associated Press. The AP called the election in favor of Menefee about 30 minutes after polls closed Tuesday. 

The two were the top vote-getters in the March Democratic primary, but neither won enough support to avoid a runoff.

Catch up quick: Menefee already won a special election earlier this year to fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. Sylvester Turner's death.

Menefee had to run again to keep the seat for the term starting in 2027. 

Green represented Houston's 9th Congressional District for two decades before running in the 18th after Texas lawmakers redrew his old seat to favor Republicans.

Flashback: The race heated up immediately after the March primary. 

Green said Menefee made a "deal with the devil" for accepting campaign contributions from a crypto super PAC. Menefee said Green's comments were "desperate" and came from someone who's "been in office 20 years and they were down on the first ballot."

What they're saying: "Tonight belongs to the people of this district," Menefee said in a statement Tuesday night. "This is your victory, and I will spend every day in Washington making sure it means something."

"Republicans have made this hard on purpose," he added. "In November, we have the opportunity to change the leadership of this state, and I am calling on every voter in Texas to seize it."

What's next: Menefee will face Republican nominee Ronald Whitfield, a political newcomer, in the November election.

National

Menefee wins Democratic nomination for Houston's redrawn House seat

Al Green loses primary to Christian Menefee after Houston House seat redrawn

Menefee's victory is set to end Green's two-decade run in Congress.

two photos side-by-side of U.S. Reps. Christian Menefee and Al Green

From left: U.S. Reps. Christian Menefee and Al Green. Photos: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images; Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

2026 midterm elections

Policymaking

Race and Equity

U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee defeated U.S. Rep. Al Green on Tuesday in the Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/18/houston-elections-why-so-many" data-vars-content-id="f48d64c7-8e06-47ef-9fda-100a89f39722" data-vars-headline="Menefee wins Democratic nomination for Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/18/houston-elections-why-so-many" target="_self">runoff</a> for Houston&#x27;s newly redrawn 18th Congressional District.Why it matters: Menefee&#x27;s victory is set to end <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Green&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/25/al-green-state-of-the-union-sign-trump-protest" data-vars-content-id="f48d64c7-8e06-47ef-9fda-100a89f39722" data-vars-headline="Menefee wins Democratic nomination for Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/25/al-green-state-of-the-union-sign-trump-protest" target="_self">Green&#x27;s</a> two-decade run in Congress.

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Jay R. Jordan

Featured stories

Mealer wins GOP nomination for Houston's redrawn House seat

Menefee wins Democratic nomination for Houston's redrawn House seat

Houston youth soccer eyes World Cup bump

Flash flood risk looms over Houston's Memorial Day weekend

Wayback Houston: Texas Drive-In and Brochsteins