Maribelia Avalos founded CASA FC in 2008 with only a laptop, a vision for a brighter future for youth throughout Colorado, and eight players who formed the initial team. Today, there are more laptops, a team of staff and volunteers, and more than 7,000 youth players from the Denver Metro Area and surrounding areas who have been enrolled in what has become a hard-driving competitive program known statewide as an emerging elite club.

Maribelia believes in empowering youth to come into their own, fulfill their greatest potential and become successful leaders. As an athlete who competed in every sport she could when she arrived in this country, Maribelia knows how sports can alter someone’s life course in powerful ways. After all, through her high school sports program and academics, she was awarded several scholarships to be able to attend college on a full scholarship.

Her sport of choice has always been soccer. After college, she wanted to create the same opportunities for young people in her community. Subsequently, she created CASA FC with two guiding principles: that it would be affordable to the community and where talent from often overlooked communities can come and thrive. She was right. CASA FC has become one of the most competitive clubs in the state and country, and CASA FC players are often recruited to play at the highest level for their age group, like MLS Next Academy and GA.

Maribelia didn’t just create CASA FC from scratch; she served in all the roles for the organization - coach, director, manager, volunteer, driver, mentor, field coordinator, scheduler and everything in between. She knows the club like the back of her hand. This also means she knows the story and lives behind every player, the strengths and opportunities each coach and team manager brings, and the challenges parents from the community must overcome to ensure their child gets the best opportunities in life. For Maribelia, it’s about centering quality over quantity.

Another role Maribelia is serving is as board member of the Soccer For Life Foundation which aims to ensure soccer access for all young players in Colorado. Maribelia’s involvement will further promote her mission and expand opportunities for young soccer enthusiasts.

Maribelia is also a business owner. She is the founder and owner of Masfit, an independent lifestyle, fitness, and well-being facility in the heart of The Highlands neighborhood in Northwest Denver. Maribelia possesses more than 20 years of experience as a personal fitness and group fitness instructor.

Maribelia and CASA FC have been featured in 9News, Colorado Public Radio, VoyageDenver, La Voz, The Denver Post, Viva Colorado, Univision, and Telemundo, among other notable media. In 2013, Maribelia honored with the “Woman Who Has Changed the Heart of the City” Award from the Denver Rescue Mission.

Going into the 2024/25 Season, CASA FC will now become ALBION SC Denver to further the mission and provide additional opportunities for players throughout the Denver area.

Maribelia is from Michoacán, Mexico. She graduated from Adam’s State University in 2008, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Economics, and Business Management. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Mathematics.