By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Overshadowed in last week’s decisive wins was the fact that the Rivera Raiders have clinched a berth in the state soccer playoffs for the 23rd time in 24 years.
The Rio Grande Valley’s top-ranked Raiders (10-0, 30 points in District 32-6A) last week defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial 8-0 and Lopez 7-1 in the process of securing another trip to the postseason. As might be expected of the Raiders, clinching a playoff spot evoked little fanfare among the coaches and players because their goals are set far higher.
Getting to the playoffs is what they thought they would be doing all along, so for them,it’s not really big news. They view it as a step in the right direction to where they want to go, which is the UIL state tournament in April.
The one season the Raiders didn’t qualify for the playoffs was 2009. It snapped a 17-year streak of advancing to the postseason.
That fact is ancient history for members of the current Rivera squad.
“We’re just taking each game as it comes,” said Isidro “Chelin” Martinez, Rivera’s senior attacking midfielder. “So far, things are going well. We’re on a good roll, even though every team is playing us hard in our tough district.”
Added teammate Eliseo Ortiz, a senior forward, “We have a dream that we want to come true. Against every opponent, we’re going to play our style of soccer, and if we do that, people will see the results come. It was a relief to get past Lopez, but every team we face is tough. We still have Hanna and Los Fresnos (on the district schedule along with Harlingen South and San Benito ).”
Consistency has meant a lot for the Raiders this season.
“What we’re doing in practice is what we’re doing in the games, and that’s been the difference this year,” Rivera coach Salvador Garcia said. “We’ve been practicing by thinking that what we’re doing in practice will somehow work for us in the games, and the players are doing it. We’ve been executing our game plans well.
“Our guys have been playing with a lot of confidence,” Garcia added. “They feel that every time they step on the field they have a good chance to win, regardless of the opponent, and that’s great. All the credit goes to our players.”
The Raiders will attempt to keep their district record unblemished against Harlingen South (5-5, 14 points) at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Sams Memorial Stadium.
KEY MATCH
The Porter Cowboys (9-0, 26 points) lead District 32-5A and face second-place PSJA Southwest (7-2, 22 points) on the road at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
By earning three points against the Javelinas, the Cowboys can clinch a playoff spot and ease the unpleasant memory of missing the postseason one year ago for the first time since 1999. That’s why Porter’s motto this season is “Unfinished Business.”
It won’t be easy as the Cowboys had to hold on to prevail over Southwest 3-2 on Feb. 3 at Brownsville Sports Park during the first round of district play.
“We were up 3-1 in the first half, they scored a goal early in the second half and that kind of put a little bit of pressure on us,” Porter coach Jose Espitia said. “We sort of stopped our attack so we could protect the spaces in the back (and win 3-2).
“Southwest is quick, and they’re fast,” Espitiaadded. “They have two very good forwards and an excellent center midfielder with some center (defensive) backs that are pretty decent. They’re strong and they’re physical, so I think it’s going to be a very physical game and a close game because they’ll be playing in their house. Their field is narrow, so with them playing physical, them being quick and them playing the counter attack well, it’s going to depend on whoever takes advantage of their opportunities, and I hope it’s us.
“We’re approaching the game as a district championship with a playoff atmosphere. It should be a nice game (for the fans to watch), and in some sort of way, a tuneup for the playoffs.”
LOOKING AHEAD
After Tuesday’s road game, Porter finishes its 32-5A schedule with three of its last four games at home, starting at 6 p.m. Friday with Pace at Porter.
The Vikings (5-4, 14 points) are in the race for a 32-5A playoff spot as well and will be at home against PSJA High (1-8, four points) at 6 p.m. Tuesday. After playing at Porter on Friday, the Vikings will be at home for two of their final three district matches.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.