USL News Release
Friday, November 14, 2008
TAMPA, FL -- The Rio Grande Valley was officially named as the newest franchise of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League during a press conference at Palenque Grill, in McAllen, Texas.
The new franchise was presented by Miguel Puente, Director of Business Development, Efraín Valdez, Director of Marketing, and the club’s Media Relations Director, Edgar Chrnko Salas.
“We’re looking forward to building a winning club, our commitment is with the community,” Puente said. “We want to make the community feel that this is their team, and that this is a team for the community, and we’ll be involved with them through school districts and community organizations.”
Puente indicated that the new RGV franchise will look to the tremendous talent that exists locally to build the foundation of the team, and that the organization will also work with the local academies and soccer leagues to implement a reserve youth system.
“Soccer is the number one sport in the world. There are many factors that make something number one; a solid foundation of this recognition is economical accessibility with community support for the sport itself,” Valdez said. “This is part of the foundation that we’re bringing to the RGV. This team will be of the community, for the community.”
USL Founder and President Francisco Marcos, and USL Executive Vice President and COO President Tim Holt welcomed the RGV franchise via a video-taped presentation that was shown to the media during the press conference.
“I’d like to welcome to the USL, specifically the Premier Development League, the new team that will play in the Valley next year,” said Marcos. “The rivalry that will be created with the Laredo Heat and the El Paso Patriots is going to be something very good for our league. Also, the proximity of Mexico to this franchise will be very good for us.”
The RGV franchise will begin play in the 2009 PDL season. Open tryouts are being planned for around the Valley starting in January to lay the foundation of the new team, which will look to local talent to fill its roster.
The border franchise said that it is currently searching for a technical director, and hopes to have one signed by mid-December.
The RGV club will be assigned to the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference of the PDL, where they will have the 2008 runner up Laredo Heat, division champion Austin Aztex and El Paso Patriots as direct rivals.
“I think it’s great. I’m delighted that there’s a new expansion team in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Austin Aztex President Phil Rawlins. “I think now it’s going to be a Texas division, which is fantastic from a travel stand point, for the players, it’s great for Texas. I’m really looking forward to a strong rivalry with the guys from the Valley. I think it’ll be fun”.
The RGV will likely play 16 regular season games, 8 home and 8 away, as well as exhibition matches, and could qualify to participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
At the moment, the team name, logo and stadium have not been finalized.
