CUALQUIER PARECIDO CON LA REALIDAD ES MERA COINCIDENCIA

Apoyados por una gran multitud de gente en las graderías del Estadio de los Tigres de Mercedes, Las"Hormigas Rojas" de Progreso vencieron a los Piratas de Hidalgo por marcador de 3 - 0 y por ende, el derecho de competir en las Semifinales de futbol estudiantil del Estado de Texas.  El primer tiempo fue como el primer round de la pelea del Canelo vs Golovkin; ambos estudiándose y tirando pocos golpes.  No hubo ningún tipo de peligro para ninguna portería, aunque se veía un ligero dominio de los malandrines del Chapo 956.   El marcador reflejaba un par de donas al termino de los primeros 40 minutos; nada para nadie, ni fu, ni fa; zero a zero.  El goleador de los Piratas de Hidalgo, J. J. García sólo recibió dos pases en el primer tiempo; uno al minuto 25 y el otro dos minutos después.  Se notó la ausencia de su mejor asistidor, el cual salió expulsado en el partido anterior, su número 10, Diego Torres.  Las hormigas atacaban sin idea; sus líneas estaban muy separadas.  El equipo estaba partido. Parecían hormigas negritas, ésas que no hacen daño.  Sus medios reflejaban cansancio de tanto ir y venir.   Su línea defensiva estaba en la yarda 25 y sus laterales poco ayudaban a los medios ofensivos; se quedaban rezagados.  Ya para el segundo tiempo, y con el aire a favor, el Coach Magallón juntó más a sus líneas.  Este movimiento táctico ayudó a que el jugador con el balón tuviera más apoyo y se  impusiera superioridad numérica alrededor del esférico.  El estadio casi se cae al minuto 5:00 del segundo tiempo cuando César Meza anota el primer gol de tiro penal.  La gente saltaba, gritaba, lloraba, aplaudía, bailaba, corría de un lado a otro de las gradas. Todos sentían un éxtasis fenómenal.   El invitado a la fiesta por fin había hecho acto de presencia.  El festejo apenas empezaba y el ambiente se ponía sabroso y singüengüenchón.  Quizás los tacos que habían regalado un buen grupo de seguidores de Progreso antes del inicio del esperado encuentro empezaban a hacer efecto. "Panza llena, corazón contento" y así fue.   Al minuto 53, Carlos López por fin escuchó a su Coach gritándole, "Zumbale que tienes pierna" y ni tardo ni perezoso que Carlitos prende un riflazo fuera del área con su pierna izquierda al ángulo superior derecho del portero que nada pudo hacer para evitar el segundo gol del encuentro.  La gente lloraba de alegría al ver a Carlitos abrazar al Malandro # 1 en su área técnica.  "Así los tiraba yo cuando jugaba en la Tercera División de Reynosa", les gritaba el coach Magallán a los aficionados.  Si el segundo gol, lo festejaron eufóricamente, el tercero les supo a gloria; fue la cereza del pastel.  Kevin García aprovechó una desconcentración defensiva de los Piratas para anotar el útimo gol del encuentro seis minutos después.  Qué bonita es esta afición, verdad de Dios.  Al final del partido, todo mundo bajó a felicitar a los jugadores y tomarse la foto de rigor con los campeones los cuales cantaban "Campeones, Campeones, Olé, Olé, Olé"!. Felicidades, muchachos, felicidades ciudad de Progreso, Texas, felicidades cuerpo técnico, felicidades porra fiel.  Gracias por su apoyo incondicional a este gran equipo.  Dios con ustedes en su siguiente compromiso.  Progreso jugará la semifinal del Estado contra Salado el viernes 4 de abril a las 7:00 p.m. en el Estadio Jerry Comalander de la ciudad de San Antonio.  Sin miedo al éxito.       

There are many golden opportunities to continue your athletic and academic career.  The world is waiting for you.  Check out the educational and athletic aid and scholarships offered at Missouri Valley College. Embark on the next chapter of your life.  Embrace the opportunities and challenges of college.  Never stop learning and growing.  The world awaits your unique talents and perspectives.   Prepare for life.  Grow personally.  Invest in your future.  Follow your dreams.  Believe in yourself.  The future is waiting for you.  You're destined for success.  Don't waste your time.  Start filling out the paper work needed to attend Missouri Valley College.  Call Mr. Sam Gonzalez,  MVC recruiter, at 956-207-2133.        

It is very difficult to swallow a loss when one's dreams suddenly come to an end.  J. J. García's four goals helped the Hidalgo Pirates beat the Davenport Wolves 4 - 1 to reach the 4A Regional Final.  Now coach Alegría's goal of reaching the State Final is two games away. His team can play.  The Pirates have a good offensive artillery.  The Pirates' attackers are very dangerous and lethal.  Their defense is highly organized, switch together, deny space, and communicate well. The midfielders react quickly to transitions.  They sacrifice for their team.  The Pirates' midfielders are very creative and have a great vision of the field.  They can play short and long depending on the opponent's defensive gaps.  The Pirates will be facing Las Hormigas Atómicas del Chapo 956.  The Red Ants struggled during the first half against La Vernia to impose their short passing style of game.  Coach Magallán couldn't believe his team was down 2 - 0 in the first half.  "El jalón de orejas" at halftime worked, and the team was a different squad in the second half.  They came back from behind to beat La Vernia 3 - 2.  His team proved that "el marcador más engañoso es el 2 - 0".  The Hidalgo Pirates vs the Progreso Red Ants Regional Championship Game will be played on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Tiger Stadium in Mercedes.  Juárez-Lincoln victory over Cedar Park 2 - 1 won the Huskies the final ticket to advance to the 5A Regional Final.  Coach Víctor Ramos' team will the face Liberty Hill Panthers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at Jerry Comalander Stadium in San Antonio.  The Juárez-Lincoln team has been improving by leaps and bounds.   The Huskies seem to be the dark horse of the 5A Division. The Valley's heavy rain on Thursday appeared to be tears from the sky ahead of Friday's games.  It was an omen of what was about to happen.  Most of our boys and girls Regional Semifinal team losses on Friday, and Saturday were unusual.  People in our area had high expectations, but soccer is soccer, and these things happen in our sport.  Coach Alegría, coach Magallán, and coach Víctor Ramos, the Río Grande Valley Soccer Coaches Organization wish you the best of luck in your future matches.  We are very proud of all of you.    

The Rio Grande Valley Soccer Coaches Organization wishes everyone the best of luck in the Playoffs.

GIRLS - BI-DISTRICT                                               GIRLS:  AREA GAMES:

THURSDAY, MARCH 20:                                         TUESDAY, MARCH 25:

                                                                                     6A Division I:  Los Fresnos - 2 Cibolo Steele - 1

                                                                                                              Harlingen - 2   Buda Johnson - 1

6A Division I:                                                              6A Division II:      

Weslaco - 0           Harlingen Cardinals - 1                       Edinburt North - 0   Comal Canyon - 7

Economedes - 2   Los Fresnos - 3                                     B. Vets. - 1    Medina Valley - 3

                                                                                     5A Division I:  

6A Division II:                                                                       McAllen High - 2    Flour Bluff - 1

Brownsville Hanna - 1  Edinburg North - 7                     Hlgn. South - 3   C.C. Veterans - 0

                                                                                      5A Division II:        

5A Division I:                                                                        M. Memorial - 4   Gregory-Portland - 2   

La Joya Palmview - 0  C.C. Veterans - 8                            Juárez-Lincoln - 0   Edcouch-Elsa - 2

Edinburg Vela - 1   Harlingen South - 4                   4A Division I:  

McAllen High - 5    Donna North - 4                                C. C. Calallen - 11   Port Isabel - 0 

                                                                                               Valley View - 1   Idea Riverview - 6

5A Division II:                                                                4A Division II:                                                

 Juárez-Lincoln - 2    Corpus Christi Ray - 0                     B'ville. Jubilee - 1   Rockport-Fulton - 5

Nikki Rowe - 1   Edcouch-Elsa - 1                                      Idea Robindale - 0   C.C. London - 11

(E - ELSA WON IN PKS.)                                                          

                                                                                            BOYS AREA GAMES - MON., MARCH 24: 

4A Division I:                                                                     4A Division I:               

Idea Pike - 0     Port Isabel - 2                                              Progreso - 7   Idea Pharr - 1

Raymondville - 0   Idea Riverview - 8                           

                                                                                            TUESDAY, MARCH 25:

4A Division II:                                                                   6A Division I:

Vanguard Beethoven - 2  Rockport Fulton - 4                  Economedes - 4   Laredo Alexander - 1         

Vanguard Rembrandt = 0   C. C. London - 8                     Los Fresnos - 2 Buda Johnson - 1 

                                                                                           6A Division II:

FRIDAY, MARCH 21:                                                             Harlingen - 1   Schertz Clemens - 3

                                                                                                 B'ville. Vets - 1   Del Río - 0

6A Division II:                                                                  5A Division I: 

Edinburg High - 0    Brownsville Veterans - 5                   Rivera - 3   Flour Bluff - 0                 

                                                                                                  Palmview - 1   Harlingen South - 2

5A Division II:                                                                  5A Division II:

Brownsville López - 0    Mcallen Memorial - 7                 B'ville. López - 3   Laredo Nixon - 1     

                                                                                                 Juárez-Lincoln - 3   Porter - 1

4A Division I:                                                                   4A Division I:

Corpus Christi Calallen - 5     Hidalgo - 0                          Hidalgo - 6   B. Riverview - 0

                                                                                           4A Division II:   

Brownsville Riverview  - 5    Idea Donna - 1                     Mozart - 0   Edinburg Quest - 1

Valley View - 1     Beeville Jones - 0                                     Jubilee - 1   C. C. London - 5

4A Division II:                                                                     GIRLS REGIONAL SEMIFINALS:  

Brownsville Jubilee - 5    Idea Quest - 1                                  FRIDAY, MARCH 28:

Brownsville Jubilee - 5    Idea Quest - 1                       

                                                                                            6A Division I:                                                                 

SATURDAY, MARCH 22:                                                        Los Fresnos - 0   Round Rock - 8  

                                                                                                   Harlingen - 2      Lake Travis - 7

4A Division II:                                                                    5A Division I:

Idea Robindale - 2   Idea Edinburg - 1                                McAllen High - 0   Leander Rouse - 7

                                                                                                   Hlgn. South - 0     Smithson Valley - 5      

                                                                                            5A Division II:

BOYS:                                                                                      M. Memorial - 0    Cedar Park - 3

                                                                                                  Edcouch-Elsa - 0    S. A. Pieper - 3  

THURSDAY, MARCH 20:                                                 4A Division I:

                                                                                                  Davenport - 8   B'ville Riverview - 0             

6A - Division I:                                                                               

Los Fresnos - 4     Weslaco High - 0                                      BOYS REGIONAL SEMIFINALS     

                                                                                                          FRIDAY, MARCH 28:        

6A - Division II:                                                                        

La Joya High - 1   Brownsville Veterans - 1                     6A Division I:

(VETS WON IN PKS.)                                                                Economedes - 1  Cedar Park Vista - 7

                                                                                                   Los Fresnos - 1    Lake Travis - 3

5A - Division II:                                                                   6A Division II:     

Juárez-Lincoln - 3     C.C. Carroll - 0                                      Austin Bowie - 2   B 'ville. Vets - 0

Sharyland High - 1    Brownsville Porter - 2                  5A Division I:         

Sharyland Pioneer - 0    Brownsville López - 3                   Rivera - 0   Leander Glenn - 1

Palmview - 2      C. C. Veterans - 1                                  5A Division II:

                                                                                                   B'ville. López - 0   Liberty Hill - 2

4A - Division II:                                                                        Juárez-Lincoln -  2  Cedar park - 1

Edinburg Quest - 5    Brownsville Frontier - 3               4A Division II:    

Idea North Mission - 0   C. C.  London - 4                           Edinburg Quest - 0  Fredericksburg - 3    

4A - Division I:                                                                    GIRLS REGIONAL SEMIFINALS - SAT., 3/29: 

Idea Donna - 1    Idea Brownsville Riverview - 5           5A Division I:   

                                                                                                    Hlgn. South - 0  Smithson Valley - 5

FRIDAY, MARCH 21:                                                        5A Division I - Boys: 

6A - Division I:                                                                         Hlngen. South - 1  S. A. Southwest - 3  

San Benito - 3   Edinburg Economedes - 6                  4A Division I:   

                                                                                                  Progreso - 3   La Vernia - 2

6A - division II:                                                                        Hidalgo - 4     Davenport - 1

Edinburg North - 0    Harlingen High - 1                               

                                                                                              BOYS REGIONAL FINAL - TUE., APRIL 1:    

5A - Division I:                                                                      

Brownsville Rivera - 1   McAllen Memorial - 1             5A Division I:          

 (RIVERA WON IN PKS.)                                                         Juárez-Lincoln - 0   Liberty Hill - 1

Harlingen South - 3   McAllen Nikki Rowe - 0                   

 Mission High - 0   Flour Bluff - 1                                      

                                                                                             4A Division I:

4A - Division I:                                                                          Hidalgo - 0     Progreso - 3

Hidalgo - 7    Tuloso-Midway - 2                                 

4A - Division II:                                                                 

Idea Alamo - 1   Brownsville Jubilee - 2                             

Sta. Gertrudis Academy - 2   Vanguard Mozart - 5          

SATURDAY, MARCH 22:                                                        

4A - Division I:                                                                        

Progreso -1   Port Isabel - 0                                                 

Idea Pharr - 3  Beeville - 2                                                

El equipo de Los Fresnos cerró con broche de oro su temporada regular de distrito apabullando a las Aguilas Doradas de la Homer Hanna con un escandáloso marcador de 6 - 0.   Alentado por una banda bullanguera y el tambor de Monolo el de los Mundiales, los Halcones salieron a comerse al mundo.  Apenas venía llegando la gente al estadio Leo Aguilar, cuando Josh Trejo ya estaba cantando su primer gol al minuto 4:20.  Fue una jugada de lujo con combinaciones ofensivas de pocos toques que Josh capitalizó con un tiro potente, razo y colocado al poste izquierdo del portero de los "Golden Eagles" que nada pudo hacer para detener el riflazo del delantero local.  Apenas empezaba la fiesta y la gente ya se emocionaba con el triunfo gritando" Yo si le voy, le voy a los Falcons..."  En las gradas ya se sentía el ambiente; se palpaba el júbilo en el graderío.  El tambor rezonaba y la gente bailaba y cantaba. Seis minutos después el travesaño recibió un fuerte impacto semejante a los estruendos de los cohetes de Elon Musk.  Mikey Alvarez levantó a la multitud de sus asientos sólo para gritar Ohhhhhh!  El balón se negó a entrar.  El Leo Aguilar ya parecía el Universitario, el estadio de los Tigres de la U. de Nuevo León.  La gente saltaba, cantaba y gritaba; motivaba a su equipo a seguir adelante.

13 minutos más tarde se le empezó a venir la noche encima al equipo visitante.  J.P. Izaguirre anotaba el segundo gol al minuto 18 y luego Ethan Nolasco hacía lo propio anidando el esferico en el fondo de la red 13 minutos después para terminar el primer tiempo.  El público expresaba su amor y pasión por la "Vinotinto" (los halcones de Los Fresnos) cantando "Cómo no te voy a querer, como no te voy a querer, si mi corazón es guinda y mi piel dorada siempre te querré..."  Los Pibes del Highway 100 parecían que jugaban en los "potreros" de la Argentina, (terrenos rurales originario de muchos talentos futbolísticos).  Se llevaban a uno y a otro evadiéndolos con gran facilidad y destreza. Eran unos grandes toreros en el ruedo dedicando su arte al público en general.  El campo de juego era testigo de sus audacias.  Al iniciar el segundo tiempo, los Halcones continuaban dominando las acciones mediante la posesión del balón.  Tocaban y tocaban y volvían a tocar entre ellos mismos el balón tal cual fuera el Barcelona de Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Jordi Alba, no los Pastores de Belén.  Su Tiki-Taka no pasaba desapercibido para la concurrencia.  En las gradas se escuchaba, "ole", ole", "ole"  cada que un rival intentaba recuperar inétilmente el balón de su adversario.  Los agarraban como toritos.  La Barra cantaba y bailaba.  El tambor alegraba el ambiente.  Ya para el segundo tiempo, Coach Miller, empezó a rotar a sus jugadores para evitar fatigas musculares.  Al minuto 17, el árbitro experimentado Gustavo Morales, cobra una falta dentro del área bien ejecutada desde los 11 pasos por J.P. Izaguirre para el 4 - 0.   Los golpes despiadados del tambor oscilaban las paredes de los negocios y casas cercanas.  La felicidad de la gente aumentó de decibeles al caer el quinto gol, obra de Angel González al evadir rival tras rival y tocarle a un lado la pelotita al portero visitante.  El cántico  "Qué bonito, qué bonito, qué bonito es ese gol, se merece, se merece, se merece una ovación"  volvió a hacer acto de presencia.  Los cimientos del estadio se cimbraban a los brincos de la multitud.  Era una fiesta deportiva disfrutada por todo mundo.  La cereza del pastel se la llevó Manny Silva al ejecutar un tiro de esquina al primer poste para convertirlo en un gol olímpico celebrado por todos sus compañeros a un minuto del final.   Qué bonita, alegre y respetuosa es la hinchada de la Vinotinto y qué bonito se divierten los mozuelos jugando al futbol!    Felicidades, Halcones!  Felicidades, Coach Miller!  Felicidades pueblo de Los Fresnos!  Mucha suerte en la Post Temporada.         

With a convincing 7 - 2 victory in the Harlingen Cardinals mini stadium, The visiting undefeated in District play, Los Fresnos Falcons, won the 2025 DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP.  Both team offenses were lethal.  The score was 2 - 2 in the first 15 minutes of the match.  Everyone in the stands was having a beautiful time.  The Los Fresnos, and Cardinal crowds were loud and supportive.  Both crowds were very respectful of one another.  It was an enjoyable night.  Goal shots were taken, some were hitting the posts, others were heating the crossbar, and the goalkeepers were successful in 1 v 1 duals.  The Falcons changed formations during the course of the game.  At times there were only two defenders, four midfielders, and four attackers.  In other occasions, they played a 3-4-3 system of play, and in many others, a 4 - 3- 3.  The Falcons speed, technical ability, quick defensive/offensive transitions, creativity, quick thinking, and intelligence kept the Harlingen defense busy throughout the entire night.  The Cardinals tried their best to press and keep the ball away from the Falcons, but the Falcons clever play, individual dribbling technique, team support and ball possession were difficult to defend against.  By the end of the first half, the Falcons were leading 4 goals to 2.  The Falcon fans brightened the night with their cheers and chantss throughout the match.  Every Falcon spectator was singing, "Qué bonito, qué bonito, qué bonito es ese gol.  Se merece, se merece, se merece una ovación".  (How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is that goal!  It deserves, it deserves, it really deserves an ovation").  During the last three goals of the match, the crowd change the words of the top Mexican Soccer Team in Mexico, Club América,  song to "Vamos, vamos, falcones (instead of América) que esta noche, tenemos que ganar".  (Come on, come on Falcons, that we have to win tonight).  It was a real festivity.  The Falcon crowd stole the night.  The Harlingen Cardinals try to employ a man to man defensive strategy, but it wasn't enough against the skillful Falcons.  The home team defense shifted, got compacted, added numbers around the ball, but nothing seemed to work.  The Falcons individual dribbling technique was difficult to stop or control.  The Falcons utilized many attractive plays.   They passed the ball back to their keeper to invite the home team to attack and leave space behind them.  Some Falcon midfield players were free to receive the ball and create an effective attack.  The visiting team wing players made back runs to draw the Cardinal outside backs out of position.  The center forward's diagonal runs exploited the spaces created, dribbled down the line, and crossed to free players.  The compactness of the home team defense was broken through individual play, switch field play, wing play, overlaps, one-two passes and  back and through passes.  The Falcon goals were scored by seven different players;  Lázaro Gutiérrez, J.P. Izaguirre, Vicente Tamayo, Gio Barrientos, Manny Silva, Josh Trejo, and Angel Gonzalez.  Scoring for the home team were Carlos García, and Nereo Nuñez.  The Falcons tactical discipline, enthusiasm, team cohesiveness, team work, sacrifice, camaraderie, and unselfish play is a prediction of a deep run in the playoffs.   Losing before getting to postseason play is very helpful.  It helps one as a coach to make the corrections needed before the real deal.  Coach Johnson will have his team ready.  He is a very clever guy.  He is a winning coach.  All coaches go through this kind of game accidents.          

The Río Grande Valley Soccer Coaches Organization welcomes everyone back to another exciting soccer season.  

The TASCO Fall clinic will take place on November 21-23, 2024 at the Moody Gardens in Galveston.  Please register asap.  Log in to www.tasco-soccer.com/indez/php.  Go to events and click on register.  If you have problems paying your dues and/or registering for the clinic, please contact David Johnson at 210-519-7939.  

TASCO Membership Benefits:

- Your players are eligible for Regional and State recognition.

- Your players can participate in the TASCO All-Star Game and may be scouted and/or recruited by 

   University coaches.

- The players' accolades become part of their resumé as they apply for college coaches.

- Your players are eligible to apply for TASCO scholarships.

- Coaches are entitled to run for TASCO Positions.

- Coaches can participate in soccer rules changes.

- Coaches are eligible to vote for a TASCO candidate of their choice.

- Coaches are awarded TASCO recognition plaques for every 100 wins.

- Coaches are eligible to make soccer presentations at the TASCO Annual State Clinic.

- Coaches can have access to the TASCO Website to enhance their coaching education and other

   relevant news and announcements.

2024 Soccer Dates:

First day of practice:  December 2

First day for scrimmages:  December 13

First day for games:  December 30

District Certification:  March 18

Bi-District Playoffs:  March 20 - 22

Area Game:  March 24 - 25

Regional Semifinals:  March 27 - 29

Regional Finals:  March 31 - April 1

State Semifinals:  April 3 - 5

State Finals:  April 10 - 12

           4A top teams in the Valley:

      BOYS:                 GIRLS:       

1. Progreso              1. Idea Riverview

2. Hidalgo                2. Hidalgo

3. Idea Riverview    3. Brownsville Jubilee

4. Idea Pharr           4. Idea Edinburg

5. Mozart                 5. Raymondville

          5A top teams in the Valley:

     BOYS:                             GIRLS:

1. López                            1. McAllen Memorial

2. Harlingen South         2. McHigh

3. Rivera                            3. Harlingen South

4. Porter                            4. Edcouch-Elsa 

5. Sharyland                      5. Edinburg Vela

6. Pioneer                          6. Brownsville López

           6A top teams in the Valley:

        BOYS:                                  GIRLS:

1. Economedes                 1. Harlingen High

2. Los Fresnos                   2. Los Fresnos

3. Brownsville Vets.          3. Brownsville Vets.

4. Harlingen High             4. Edinburg North

5. Edinburg North             5. Weslaco High