More 2017 Toros Depart As The 2018 Roster Sits Empty

In the USL, especially for affiliate clubs, the offseason brings loads of roster turnover. Unfortunately since the 2017 season ended, RGVFC has only had players depart, with zero players announced for the 2018 roster.

2016 Dynamo SuperDraft pick Ivan Magalhaes, a stalwart on both the 2016 and 2017 RGVFC defense, signed with Tampa Bay Rowdies yesterday. His exit was preceded by Eric Bird, Christian Lucatero, and Jose Escalante. Bird signed a first team contract with the Houston Dynamo to provide depth and versatility in the midfield. A former Dynamo Academy legend Lucatero didn’t have his option picked up by the senior club and decided to take his talents to Mexico, signing with Liga MX’s Necaxa. Escalante, still on loan from his Honduran club Olimpia, is now a member of RGV’s rival San Antonio FC.

Among that group, the Toros lose a steady defender, their primary 2017 captain, a promising prospect, and a dangerous wing player. To counteract those losses, the Toros have signed...nobody. The only addition they’ve made is hiring a new coach, Gerson Echeverry, to replace Junior Gonzalez. While all of the soccer decisions for RGV are made by the Dynamo front office, fans in the Valley aren’t pleased to see zero players on their roster. Season tickets are for sale currently and as a fan, it’s hard to be excited about a team with no players only a few months before the season. As the rest of the USL fans get excited about their club’s new signings, Toros fans will continue to eagerly check social media for any sign of a player announcement.