Few people are as passionate about soccer as Rafael Rodriguez. From the day he was first introduced to this sport by his brother when he was just eleven years old, soccer has become a very important part of his life.
Fast forward three decades later and Rafael is still very involved with this sport. He currently serves as Sports Director for Club de Fútbol Brazil in Hidalgo, Texas, plays in the Toros Veterans Team, and is a volunteer referee and youth coach at Plaza Sports Center.
Growing up in Reynosa, Rodriguez was always involved in many different soccer teams and clubs. His strong belief that soccer helped develop a child’s strong character and discipline led him and his brother, Juan Jacinto Rodriguez, to establish Club Inglaterra in Reynosa.
More than twenty years later, the club continues providing opportunities for children in Reynosa to play this sport and remains under the management of the Rodriguez Mendiola family. Around two and a half years ago, Rafael was invited by his nephew to play at Plaza Sports Center.
I immediately fell in love with Plaza Sports Center, recalls Rodriguez. Everything about the center was wonderful – the facilities, the people, the programs, the kids, and especially the founder, Dr. Jose Antonio Caso, who has a true love for this sport. Ever since, Rafael continues to be involved in the center both on and off the field. When he’s not playing with the Toros Veterans Team, Rafael can be found cheering on his eleven-year-old son, Severo Rafael Rodriguez, who plays in the 2004-2005 Competitive League or serving as a referee in one of the games.
He also played in the Open League with a team comprised of his brothers and nephews. One of the biggest honors I’ve experienced is winning the championship with my family in 2014 and then winning with the Toros Veterans Team the next day, recalls Rodriguez. It was also in the Summer of 2014 that Gerardo Hernandez invited him to take part in founding Club de Fútbol Brazil, a soccer club in Hidalgo, Texas, where there were very few opportunities for children to play soccer.
During that time, the World Cup was taking place and they decided to take advantage of that momentum to get people interested in the sport. Rodriguez recognizes that the success of this club wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Plaza Sports Center.
We call Plaza Sports Center the cradle of soccer because it has helped and nurtured our club to flourish, he explains. The founders, coaches, players, and staff at Plaza Sports Center also consider Rafael Rodriguez to be a great asset to soccer in the Rio Grande Valley.
He is greatly admired for his commitment and selfless devotion to instilling love for this sport in children. We enjoy having Coach Rafa around in our facility, be it refereeing for one of our leagues, directing one of his youth teams in our children’s leagues or playing in our 45+ league, shares Alma Casa, CEO of Plaza Sports Center.
He is always a pleasure to have around because he shares our vision for fostering a family environment around soccer. He is a truly dedicated gentleman and we appreciate his support.”
