Long before Toyota Field was built on the northeast side of the Alamo City, and long before San Antonio FC took the field for the first time in 2016, the San Antonio Thunder was founded in 1975, bringing professional soccer to the city for the first time.

Owned by Herman Warden Lay, Jr. (son of the founder of the Frito-Lay company), the Thunder played in the original version of the North American Soccer League during the 1975 and 1976 seasons. The club played their home matches at North East Stadium, now known as Comalander Stadium, during their first season before moving to Alamo Stadium for their sophomore campaign.

The Thunder most prominently featured the talent of English soccer legend Bobby Moore during the 1976 season. Moore made 24 appearances during his time in San Antonio, and made 716 appearances and scored 26 goals throughout his career, including one for the Thunder. Moore is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time and was named a member of the World Team of the 20th Century alongside legends the likes of Maradona, Di Stefano, Beckenbauer, and Pele.