First season a learning experience for Bravos FC

HIDALGO — Bravos FC’s 6-5-5 record indicates exactly how the franchise’s first season went.

There were some successes, some bad moments and some missed opportunities. And, like Bravos FC’s record on the field, none of those three categories dominated the story of RGV’s year.

It started with a swine flu scare that pushed the home opener back 21 days, included a late but unsuccessful playoff push, a breakout star, a coach with the habit of getting ejected and suspended, an ugly altercation after a game with its arch-rival, and a serious injury to the team’s youngest but also most well-known and controversial signing.

And all of that happened in only 16 games.

“It does go by rather quickly,” Bravos FC general manager Miguel Puente said.

One thing Bravos FC hopes is quick is Jesus Mireles’ recovery from a broken right fibula he suffered after a tackle from Laredo’s Greg Mulamba during a June 19 game at Laredo. The injury, expected to keep Mireles out for at least three months, was exactly what many feared when he gave up his amateur status to sign with Bravos FC instead of playing with Hidalgo High School next year and defending the Class 4A state title he helped the Pirates win.

While Mireles could have been injured playing for Hidalgo, he still would have kept his amateur status. He also would not have gotten hurt playing for a team in the lowest level of professional American soccer, one that took a public relations hit when Mireles went down for the season with a serious leg injury.

Bravos FC coach Ismael Moreira Braga conceded that Mireles’ injury somewhat tainted RGV’s season for him.

“What took me by surprise was the tears right there,” Moreira said. “A 17-year-old who has everything to do is out of the game and have this attitude that you don’t know what is going to happen.

“But he’s doing all right. He’s doing very good and he’s going to come back and he’s going to be the same player he was at the start of the season.”

Mireles’ injury also led to one of the ugliest moments of the season. After the game ended in a 1-1 draw, Moreira approached Mulamba and asked him how he would sleep that night after Mireles’ injury. Then, an altercation began with members of both teams meeting and gathering around the Bravos FC coach, leading to suspensions for five people, including three games for Moreira.

The suspension was Moreira’s third of the season, and highlighted his concerns about PDL officiating. But by the season’s final two games, when Moreira returned from his ban, he and Bravos FC had other things to worry about besides the officiating.

Led by forward Salvador Luna, who scored 16 goals in only 14 games, Bravos FC was in contention for the Mid South Division’s final playoff spot. To qualify for the postseason, Bravos FC needed to win its final two regular season games.

After beating Dallas-Fort Worth 1-0 thanks to Luna’s 15th of the season, Bravos FC fell short in its final game, losing 3-1 and ending an eventful season.

“We came up from nothing, no players, no field, no nothing,” Moreira said. “In the end we had a very competitive team, and we cannot ask for more than that.”

Brian Sandalow covers Rio Grande Valley Bravos FC for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.