RGV FC Toros to Resume Play Before Fans
September 4, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
EDINBURG, Texas - Rio Grande Valley FC announced today it will welcome fans to partake in LIVE soccer action from the stands of H-E-B Park at the club's September 12 home match, when the Toros take on Austin Bold FC. Only the west side of the stadium will be open to the public and all seats will be socially distanced, limiting the total available capacity to less than 10 percent of the facility.
The reopening of the stadium to fans has been a methodical process. "We have been preparing for this day since the first day of the pandemic," said Ron Patel, President of RGV FC.
Rather than scale back operations, the club remained active, attending virtual trainings and seminars, conferring with other sports and live events teams and venues across the country and working closely with local, state, and federal health officials to gain insight and learn best practices to ensure the safety of the players, staff and fans. Surveys were conducted, inquiring what patrons felt were the most important health and safety issues for them, and the Club implemented those findings in its Return to Play Gameplan.
"We resumed play with no fans in the stands, but brought in our staff to work, to practice the implementation of new protocols and procedures," said Patel. Next, a few season ticket members were invited to pilot a 'drive-in' watch party at the stadium, and this past weekend, half of the available suites were opened up as well. "We took a phased approach to our reopening," said Patel, "one that our players, coaches and staff felt comfortable with and one that our fans have said they felt safe with as well."
Tickets for the September 12th game can be purchased online at www.rgvfc.com.
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