The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros have acquired Pharr native and RGV FC Academy product Brandon Morales. Morales signed an academy contract and is eligible to play with the Toros this season.

Brandon Morales was part of the inaugural class for RGV FC Academy and IDEA Toros and becomes the first RGVFC Academy player to sign with the Toros. Morales spent his junior and senior year at IDEA Toros. During his spell with the RGV FC Academy,  Morales was acting captain and had the opportunity to participate at the NCAA showcase in Houston, IMG Cup Super Group, and the Dallas Cup.

"When we started this academy, we were hopeful to one day be able to forge players that could play for our professional team,” said RGV FC Toros president Bert Garcia. “This is a testimony of all the hard work done by the organization, from the coaches to all the way to the young players. I am proud to have been able to see Brandon Morales’ growth in the last two years and now see him one step closer to his goals. ”

IDEA Toros focuses on providing a top quality athletic program along with a rigorous educational program that pushes individualized learning.  Through a partnership with the RGV FC Toros, IDEA Toros provides it students with the highest level of soccer training incorporated during their school hours. Throughout the year, the student athletes visit college campuses and are also able to showcase their skills to college coaches in various showcases and tournaments.

“We have always believed that the Rio Grande Valley is full of talent,” Garcia added. “As an organization, with the support of the Houston Dynamo, we are proud to be able to provide a structure to give young players the necessary preparation, tools, and opportunities to pursue a collegiate and professional career.”

Prior to IDEA Toros,  Morales attended IDEA Quest. He started playing in the local youth leagues in San Juan at the age of six before joining the Atlas Mission academy at eight years old.  At the age of fifteen, Morales had a seven-month spell with the Houston Dynamo Academy. During his tenure with the Houston Dynamo Academy, Morales played at the Liga MX International Tournament in Mexico City.

“Brandon is a RGV FC Academy player that has been practicing with us for over a month and half and he had been doing very well,” said RGV FC Toros head coach Gerson Echeverry. "With the Houston Dynamo and RGV FC philosophy of giving chances to younger players, we wanted to provide him the opportunity to sign and be an option for us to use in games.”