As the first hybrid partnership between a local ownership group and an MLS club, the Houston Dynamo, a lot of eyes were trained on Rio Grande Valley FC in the club’s inaugural season. After a second-place finish in the USL’s Western Conference that saw the side play some outstanding soccer throughout the year, the Toros proved a strong success.

From a record-setting shutout streak in midseason to outstanding attacking play from the likes of Memo Rodriguez, Ruben Luna, T.J. Casner and Emilio Garcia, the question now will be what the side brings to the table in Year 2, with Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera having ascended to become the Dynamo’s new boss this offseason.

2016 USL SEASON IN REVIEW

Record: 14-7-9, 51pts
Place: Second in the Western Conference
Goals For: 47
Goals Against: 24
USL Cup Playoffs: Western Conference Quarterfinals (L 3-2 vs. OKC Energy FC)

2016 leaders: Ruben Luna (7 goals), Memo Rodriguez (7 assists), Callum Irving (39 saves)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Toros were arguably the most balanced side in the Western Conference, finishing with the best goal differential in the conference (+23) as the side looked to dictate the tempo and flow of the game at home and away. The eight-game shutout streak the side put on was a remarkable feat, while the attack proved relentless as the side recorded more shots on goal than any other in the West (166).

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Toros could, and arguably should, have finished top of the Western Conference in their first season, only to go through a maddening stretch that saw them be held to scoreless draws in four of the five games of their record shutouts streak. Then, in the club’s first postseason contest, a stoppage-time collapse that saw OKC Energy FC take a 3-2 victory in the Western Conference Quarterfinals brought a premature end to the season.

GOALS OF THE SEASON

The Toros run of being held scoreless in four of their past five games was broken in emphatic fashion by Emilio Garcia, whose outstanding free kick set off a 6-0 victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2.

Jose Escalante’s finish of an excellent passing move in the attacking third against Real Monarchs SLC exemplifies the type of exciting play that highlighted much of the Toros’ inaugural season.

SAVES OF THE SEASON

Callum Irving was the most consistent presence in the Toros’ goal this season, and posted a 0.65 goals-against average thanks in part to saves like this against Sacramento Republic FC.

Devin Perales began the season as RGVFC’s starting goalkeeper, and ended it as a loanee to the Houston Dynamo as reflex stops such as this highlighted the former Austin Aztex standout’s quality.

HE SAID IT

“We’re nothing but fortunate, happy, blessed that we were able to open the franchise and say that in the history of the Toros we had Wilmer Cabrera as our Head Coach. It speaks volumes about the product that Wilmer and the Houston Dynamo put out there, and it’s amazing that the Dynamo are able to hire from within, from the team they established themselves.” - Rio Grande Valley FC President Bert Garcia