USL News Release
Friday, February 18, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced today that RGV Grandes Football Club has joined the Premier Development League for the 2011 season. The arrival of the Grandes in the Rio Grande Valley is welcome news for the fervent South Texas fan base that has grown accustomed to top-level PDL action. The club is led by President and General Manager Jose Ignacio Larraga and Vice President Robinson Larraga.
Jose Ignacio Larraga is business owner in the Rio Grande Valley who has spent the past 28 years involved in various media ventures. He is also the owner of a new television network set to launch in the Rio Grande Valley. Robinson Larraga brings his experience and dedication in running the family business operations, and he is the President of Suenos Y Talentos, which was established in 2007 and has become known as “the biggest soccer event in Texas.”
The RV Grandes will play a 16-game schedule between the months of May-August, with tryout information to be announced at a later date.
“We are extremely pleased to have RGV Grandes FC joining the Premier Development League,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “The Rio Grande Valley offers such a vibrant and dedicated soccer community that we feel it’s crucial for the PDL to be represented there, and the Larragas are the right people to lead the club.”
The premier U23 men’s league in North America, the USL Premier Development League will feature 64 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada in 2011.
“We are confident in the league and take great pride in bringing the franchise to the Rio Grande Valley. We see this as a great success for South Texas and north of Mexico,” Jose Ignacio Larraga said. “The PDL is recognized for developing some of the best young talent in North America today and serves as a channel to professional soccer. Many of the players in the PDL will move on to fill the rosters of teams in USL PRO and Major League Soccer, as well as the top international leagues.”
“Throughout the years we have seen many talented players in the Rio Grande Valley and see this as an opportunity to showcase our local talent on a higher level,” Robinson Larraga said. “We look forward to the involvement of the community and players in making the RGV Grandes a huge success.”
The PDL season consists of 16 regular season matches for each team, eight home and eight away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.
“USL is very excited about the addition of the RGV Grandes into the PDL for 2011,” PDL Senior Director Jeff McCraney said. “Jose Larraga has worked very hard to put this organization together and we believe that his commitment will carry on into the season for 2011 and beyond. With his marketing savvy and influence in the Rio Grande Valley, we have no doubt that he will maximize exposure for the team and we couldn’t be more pleased with the new partner we have found in South Texas.”