The Aztexan

It's been a couple of months since we met the first of the PDL expansion teams the Aztex U23s will be playing this year: Midland's West Texas United, aka The Sockers. Now let's turn our attention south, and I mean really south; about as far south as you can get in Texas. There we'll meet the other 2009 PDL expansion team, rounding out the Mid South Division as an all-Texas division: the Rio Grande Valley Bravos.

The team was announced on November 14.

[Director of Business Development Miguel] 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.

Less than a month later, the club unveiled their name, logo and new technical director. The colors are good, and the name is excellent (especially compared to the Fockers, er, Sockers).

Prior to Moreira's presentation, the RGV announced that the club will be named RGV Bravos F.C. and unveiled the club’s badge, which has a traditional look and whose theme is representative of the area’s Mexican heritage. The team colors will be blue and gold.

... [Ismael Moreira Braga] played for legendary Brazilian clubs Botafogo, Flamengo and Santos during the 1960's and 70's. In addition, the defender from Rio de Janeiro was selected to the Brazilian National Team on various occasions from 1967–70. ... During his playing career, Moreira played with and against legendary footballers Pelé, Zico, Jairzinho, Gérson, Sebastiao Leonidas, Zé Carlos and Paulo César.

According to the team's website, they will be playing their home games at Valley View High School's Tiger Stadium, in Hidalgo-Pharr, TX (a 5.5 hour drive from Austin).

The new team has been busy with tryouts, on both the U.S. side and the Mexican side of the border.

Over 150 players attended the RGV Bravos FC open tryout held Saturday, February 14 at Reynosa’s Unidad Deportiva Solidaridad, where the USL Premier Development League first-year club wrapped up the first phase of ... putting together the Valley's first professional soccer team.

Mexican soccer players from Reynosa and around the Mexican Republic arrived at the sports complex several hours before the official 9:00 AM registration time. All players were given an opportunity to be observed in game situations by "Moreira" and Assistant Coach Javier "El Gato" Navarrete.

"It was great to see how well the residents of Reynosa responded to the Bravos," said Bravos FC General Manager Miguel Puente. "The true meaning of 'Passion Without Borders' was manifested through hundreds of people waiting in line for the opportunity to showcase their talent."

The border city’s government assisted in coordinating the open tryout in conjunction with Bravos FC.

The seventh PDL squad in Texas, and third on the border: welcome to the league, Bravos!

Just think, some of this year's Bravos (and Heat, Leones, Patriots, etc.) players may be in a good position next year to join the San Antonio USL-1 team that people are starting to talk about...

Labels: rivals, U-23