For Immediate Release
August 15, 2023
THE WOODLANDS, TX — HTX Soccer and C.F. Monterrey Rayados announced today a groundbreaking talent identification partnership to expand international playing opportunities for players in Houston’s No. 1 youth soccer club with one of Mexico’s leading clubs for both men and women.
HTX Soccer and C.F. Monterrey Rayados will partner in player ID activities to identify elite athletes in the Houston area to take part in games, training sessions and other development initiatives with the top-tier Liga MX club. HTX Soccer teams will have increased opportunities to take part in Rayados elite tournaments in the U.S., as well as annual events in Monterrey consisting of training, games, and cultural experiences for select teams.
This landmark partnership also includes additional coach education and development opportunities for HTX Soccer’s 170+ U.S. Soccer and UEFA licensed coaches. The first player identification sessions will be conducted on Monday, September 25 at Gosling Sports Park, The Woodlands.
“This is an extremely exciting partnership that will provide unique opportunities to elevate our club on multiple levels while enhancing our player’s overall experience and developmental journey,” said Alex Cardenas, HTX Boys Academy Director. “Collaborating with C.F. Monterrey Rayados, Mexico’s most prestigious and recognized professional club, directly supports our vision of creating both team and player opportunities for our elite program. We look forward to rolling out new and innovative player initiatives that are exclusive to our club members through this dynamic partnership.”
"We are really excited for this new partnership between CF Monterrey Rayados and HTX Soccer. This collaboration will help both clubs further our youth development efforts in the US and position our brands in the Houston Metropolitan Area,” said Nicolas Martellotto, Rayados Academy Director. “The key components of the partnership are international competition, exchange of best practices in training methodology and youth development, as well as trips to Monterrey for HTX teams to play against our academy teams. We look forward to starting this partnership with HTX as a key piece for our club’s 2030 vision and US strategy.”
The partnership demonstrates HTX Soccer’s commitment to continue providing its members the gold standard for youth soccer clubs. HTX Soccer’s experienced and professional coaching staff is here to guide players through our exceptional and inclusive player development journey, from recreational play all the way to the collegiate and professional ranks, with a focus on personal development in our five core values of courage, humility, trust, service, and accountability.
To find an HTX Soccer program near you for any age or experience level, visit www.htxsoccer.com
ABOUT HTX SOCCER
HTX Soccer is the largest youth soccer club in the Greater Houston area with more than 9,000 players at every skill level from recreational to elite from the ages of 3-19. The club truly represents the sport in Houston, with teams serving a 100-mile radius from Downtown Houston. Since 2017, it has developed 360+ players who have gone on to play collegiately, more than any other club in the area, and 48 players have been selected to play for their respective youth national teams. HTX Soccer’s elite boys’ teams are part of the ECNL, the most competitive youth soccer league in America, and its elite girls teams compete in the Girls Academy (G.A.) League against the top teams and clubs throughout the country.
ABOUT C.F. MONTERREY
Club de Fútbol Monterrey Rayados, often known simply as their nickname Rayados, is a Mexican professional football club based in Monterrey, Mexico which currently plays in Liga MX, the top tier of Mexican football. Founded on 28 June 1945, it is the oldest active professional team from the northern part of Mexico. Since 1999 the club has been owned by FEMSA, Latin America's largest bottling company. Its home games have been played in the Estadio BBVA (capacity 53,500) since 2015, one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Monterrey has won five league titles, three domestic cups, and five CONCACAF Champions League titles (notably, three consecutive tournaments in 2011, 2012 and 2013). In 2020 Monterrey became the second Mexican club to complete the continental treble.
The club consistently ranks as the highest in LigaMX attendance and currently features one of the most expensive squads in the country, including national team players from Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Spain.
The youth academy is considered one of the top academies in Mexico and are the current LigaMX national champions in the Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 age divisions; historic achievement for a Liga MX club. Also, the academy has a system of 160 soccer schools in Mexico and in the US, with over 12,000 players registered and will host 6 international Copa Rayados USA events in 2024.
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