Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros announced today the addition of midfielders Aner Gael Gonzalez and Jose Angel Luna to the 2022 USL Championship roster as USL Academy signings, pending league and federation approval.
As USL Academy signings, both players will be available for selection by the Toros in USL Championship play throughout the 2022 season while retaining their NCAA eligibility.
Both Gonzalez and Luna saw hail out of the RGV FC Academy ranks and have trained with the first team throughout the 2022 season as extra training squad pieces, ultimately earning the official roster offer from Sporting Director and Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera due to their standout performances.
Gonzalez (18-year-old) is a dual national born in Reynosa, MX who now resides in Palmview, TX. He is a physical midfielder with the ability to open the field and create chances rapidly. Sporting Director and Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera spoke on his attributes; “Aner is a very strong and talented young midfielder who has played and developed his soccer skills in the Academy and now he is ready for a new challenge. We believe he has the mentality to play at this level.”
Luna (16-year-old) was born in San Antonio, TX but was raised in the Rio Grande Valley in nearby Weslaco, TX since the age of two. Jose Angel Luna becomes the youngest player signed to a USL Academy contract in RGV FC history. His size and speed combine well to create a dynamic attacking piece on the wings for RGV FC. “Angel is a very young talent with wonderful skills that stand out as soon as he is on the field, and he is someone who has impressed the staff and teammates with his qualities and personality despite his youth.”
Wilmer Cabrera praised the signings and the bar they have set for youth talent locally in the Rio Grande Valley; “We are proud and happy for them, and we believe they can pave the paths for soccer talent in The Valley as they continue developing with hope of finding a spot in the RGVFC Toros professional team”
The honor of youngest USL Academy player was previously held by Duilio Herrera (17-year-old), of Edinburg, TX, who was the first player signed by the Toros to a USL Academy contract since the restructuring of the club’s partnership agreement with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo FC.
With the two new additions, RGV FC now totals 27 rostered players.
RGV FC continues USL Championship play as they face LA Galaxy ll at H-E-B Park on June 4th.
Season tickets are now available at www.rgvfc.com or at the H-E-B Park box office.
TRANSACTION: Rio Grande Valley FC signs midfielders Aner Gael Gonzalez and Jose Angel Luna.
PLAYER PROFILE
FULL NAME: Aner Gael Gonzalez
DATE OF BIRTH: September. 12, 2003
HEIGHT: 5’10”
WEIGHT: 173
BIRTHPLACE: Reynosa, MX
HOMETOWN: Palmview, TX
PREVIOUS CLUB: RGV FC Academy (MLS Next)
FIFA NATIONALITY: USA
PLAYER PROFILE
FULL NAME: Jose Angel Luna
DATE OF BIRTH: November 29, 2005
HEIGHT: 5’6”
WEIGHT: 130
BIRTHPLACE: San Antonio, TX
HOMETOWN: Weslaco, TX
PREVIOUS CLUB: RGV FC Academy (MLS Next)
FIFA NATIONALITY: USA
