The Orange Blocks: 2019 Season on the Horizon for RGV FC
RGV FC Toros 2019 Preview
After missing out on the playoffs last season, the RGV FC Toros have a lot more to be optimistic for the 2019 season. One common word around the organization is continuity. Head coach Gerson Echeverry returns for a second season along with a handful of players. Among those players returning to the team are goalkeeper Nico Corti, defenders Kyle Adams, Conor Donovan, and Robert Castellanos, midfielders Camilo Monroy, Romilio Hernandez, Victor Garza, Jesus Enriquez, and the Academy product Brandon Morales, and forwards Carlos Small and Aldo Quintanilla.
The new faces on the team
The Toros added some important pieces to the roster during the offseason as well when it was announced that Jamaican international Maalique Foster, although his stay in the RGV could be short. His presence will be important as he has played with the Jamaican national team and important clubs in Costa Rica. Another of the new faces on the team is Houston Dynamo Superdraft pick Brad Dunwell. Dunwell played collegiately at powerhouse Wake Forest and an All-American.
The season opener
First up on the Toros schedule is the re-branded Sounders 2 a.k.a. Tacoma Defiance. While their logo may be nice, to me they remain S2. The game is tomorrow night where the weather is going to be all sorts of ugly. Cold, snow, rain, and probably bad winds. If Tacoma has the same S2 roster from last season, I would expect nothing but three points. Otherwise, a nice road draw would be suffice.
USL Championship Thoughts and RGV FC outlook
New teams, new playoff format for the re-branded USL Championship. Do I like the tweaks? Yes and no. Here’s what I like: the new league logo very crisp and clean. I also like how all teams will have all the same nameplates and numerals.
The new teams in the Western Conference…yes, please. More specifically in Texas, you have my full attention. El Paso Locomotive and Austin Bold are the new Texas boys. Other new rivals are New Mexico United.
The ugly about the new things is the expanded playoff field. The MLS expanded theirs, so why not USL Championship? There are too many teams qualifying plus rewarding mediocre teams is bad. However, in the last few seasons, the lower ranked teams in the Western Conference have found a way to upset the top seed.