By ROY HESS|THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
The tradition surrounding the Rivera soccer program runs deep.
The District 32-6A champion Raiders currently are in the UIL state playoffs for the 26th time in 27 years.
To better put that statement into perspective, consider that Rivera has missed the postseason only once this century (2009).
It’s a given that expectations continue to be high for the Raiders in soccer. This season is no different.
“The tradition Rivera has means a lot,” said Roberto Melendez, a senior central defender, three-year starter and team captain for the Raiders. “I’m blessed that I’m in this program and just happy to be a part of it.”
Melendez is part of a defense that includes teammates Joaquin Hernandez and Edgar Salazar along with goalkeeper Jorge Cordoba.
The Raiders’ midfield consists of Ramiro Rodarte, Alex Mendez, Kevin Zarrazagas and Jose Muniz along with attacking midfielder Julian Espinoza. The forwards are Isaac Cedillo and J.P. Garza.
Players helping off the bench include midfielder/forward Jorge Morales, defender/midfielder Salvador de Leon, midfielder Albert Garcia and forward David Villarreal.
“Since my freshman year it’s been a blessing to play for the Raiders,” said Espinoza, a four-year starter and team captain who was a ninth-grader with the team in 2015 when Rivera won the first Class 6A boys state title in soccer. “We (seniors) want to make our own legacy as a team (in the playoffs this season) and be known (for our accomplishments).”
The Raiders defeated Edinburg High 5-3 last Thursday in bi-district and now go against District 29-6A runner-up San Antonio Southwest in the area round at 8 p.m. today at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Field.
The Rivera players say they’ve become more and more confident in their abilities as the season has progressed.
“Everybody has been putting their effort into practice every day and we can see everyone coming together and helping us develop the team chemistry,” Melendez said. “We’ve built up the momentum and we’ve turned it around (from earlier in the season). We all just came together and said it would be a turning point for us. From there, it’s just built up.”
Raiders coach Salvador Garcia said there’s quite a difference in how the Raiders are playing now compared to when the season started back in January.
“If you see the team playing right now and somebody saw them back in the BISD Tournament (in January), you’d probably see a difference of day and night,” said Garcia, who this season is marking his 21st year as Rivera’s head coach. “Our guys are playing more confidently and they know more about their responsibilities (on the field). They’re learning more and more with each game and correcting the mistakes that they make.
“It’s been a process, and now, the players are finally learning the responsibilities and duties each position has,” the Rivera coach added. “To be honest and realistic, we didn’t have that great of a game defensively against Edinburg High (as we gave up three goals). We have to play a disciplined game (on defense) and still play our (wide-open offensive) game against Southwest or it’s going to be a long night against them.”
Espinoza said the credit for the team’s turnaround belongs in big part to the Raiders’ coaching.
“We’ve improved a lot lately, and to me, the main reason why we’re at where we are right now is our coach,” Espinoza said. “The players are listening to the coach and he’s the main reason we’re here and the main reason the team has been built up (along) with the hard work we’re putting in. We just have to keep doing what our coach is telling us to do.”
Espinoza said once he arrived on campus as a ninth-grader, he got to know what Rivera soccer is all about.
“When I came here as a freshman, I didn’t know that much about Rivera soccer,” Espinoza added. “But it didn’t take me very long to find out (all) about it.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess