ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Former Lobo men’s soccer players Victor Rodriguez and Riley McGovern have signed with the Real Monarchs, the USL Pro affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake.
“This is a great opportunity for both of them to reach their goals of playing professionally and making a living in the sport they love,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “I think they’re both going to be very successful. It’s a great chance to showcase themselves on a national level. They’re part of an MLS organization, and if they do well they’ll find themselves on an MLS roster sooner rather than later.”
Rodriguez played goalkeeper for the Lobos from 2009-12 and is the program’s all-time leader in goals against average at 0.54. He also ranks third in career shutouts (17), fourth in wins (36) and seventh in saves (108). He was the starting keeper for the Lobos when they went undefeated with an 18-0-4 record in 2011.
“I’ve been looking for a team for about a year,” he said. “I played with the Albuquerque Sol last year in the summer, and this opportunity came up, and it’s a great opp. I decided to go, and the next thing I know I’ll be playing with a brand new team and a whole new system. It’s exciting. It was a surprise even to me. I’m excited and expecting great things out of it.”
Rodriguez has known the Monarchs’ coach, Freddy Juarez, for about eight years from their time together in Las Cruces, N.M., and that connection helped him get this chance.
“I’ve gotten to play with and against him, and he’s a great guy,” Rodriguez said of Juarez. “I’m going to go and work extremely hard for him and give it 100 percent every day in training. If I get the opportunity to play in a game, then great, but if not then I’ll have to keep grinding it out and working hard every single day no matter the situation.”
McGovern played every game for the Lobos the last two seasons, including UNM’s run to the College Cup in 2013. A four-year letter-winner he played every minute at right back last season.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I think this is the best place I could’ve signed with. Real Salt Lake is right next door so we’ll playing in the same stadium they play in. It’s a nice big stadium with great facilities. It’s a new team, so fans will be excited, and I think we’re going to have a great playing style.”
McGovern had been working out since UNM’s season ended while his agent sent out a highlight video to USL teams in the hopes of sparking interest. The tape caught the eye of the Monarchs’ staff.
“After watching the video an assistant then contacted (UNM associate head coach) Paul Sauders who gave them some insight to the kind of player I am,” McGovern said. “One thing led to another, I talked to the head coach, and they said they were interested in signing me. I don’t think it could’ve worked out much better.”
Both Rodriguez and McGovern reported to Salt Lake City last weekend for physicals in preparation of preseason training, which begins Thursday, Feb. 26. Their first match will be at LA Galaxy II on March 22.