Married and healthy, Garza is back better than ever

For RGVFC midfielder Victor Garza, his knee giveth and taketh away. Back in 2017, he got on a knee to propose to his then-girlfriend. The following year, he suffered a major knee injury and lost most of his season with the Toros. Now, he is married, healthy, and ready to be an impact player in 2019.

A native of the area, Victor Garza joined RGVFC back in 2017. He made 20 appearances for the club that season, tallying one assist. But, the biggest life moment for Garza in 2017 came off the pitch. “I proposed to my then-girlfriend, Kassandra Rodriguez, in November 2017,” Garza recalls. “We had been 4 years together and decided it was the correct moment to do so. I actually surprised her in Disney World while she was at a family vacation in Florida.”

Now engaged, he returned to the Toros for the 2018 season, the club’s first under Gerson Echeverry. Unfortunately, his season would come to an early, abrupt end. Ahead of the club’s April home match vs. Orange County SC, Garza tore his ACL. Dr. Owen would repair the ligament and also his lateral meniscus. Victor explains, “This has been the only major injury in my career. It came at a tough moment because I was picking up good game rhythm and my game performances kept increasing game by game.”

Despite not being able to play, Garza wanted to remain a part of the team during the 2018 campaign. “When I got injured, I knew I had to find a way of providing something to RGV. My mindset was to have that connection of leadership off the field,” he says. “We had tough moments in the season and motivating, providing tips from my experience to the younger players was my main goal. Helping them in anyway possible to achieve greatness for the team.” Not only did he become a leader for his teammates, but he also further established himself with his manager. “My relationship with Gerson has come a long way. The confidence between us has grown over the months,” Garza explains. “I knew Gerson from the U-17 US national team. Gerson and I had lots of conversations in last year’s season to keep that player-coach and locker room connection to find the best unity we could possibly have.”

“At this point, now that I’m back on the field, my leadership must increase to help the younger guys succeed. I am determined to help Gerson get the best out of each player to find overall team success which eventually will bring individual success to each and everyone of us involved in the organization.”

After the lowlight of his injury early in the season, Garza had the ultimate highlight after the season. “We got married December 27, 2018. It was an amazing day for me and my wife. The wedding was legit,” he says. “We had the wedding and had to drive the next morning to Houston to catch the flight for our honey moon in Hong Kong, Phuket (Thailand) and Phi Phi Islands, also in Thailand. Phuket and Phi Phi are another world. I highly recommend it.”

Now, as the calendar has turned to 2019, it’s about being a great husband and making an impact on the pitch for RGVFC. “The Valley is my hometown. Since day one of my injury, I knew what I wanted. I was determined to be ready for day one of preseason,” Garza explains. “My main goal is to reach my top level and fight for that opportunity with Houston Dynamo. I know I need to perform to make that jump. It is huge for me to be back with RGVFC. I want the Club to succeed and reach the playoffs and, of course, fight for the USL Cup.”

Garza and his Toros’ teammates will continue to prepare for the 2019 USL Championshup season as they face Houston Baptist University this Saturday in Houston.