Rio Grande Valley FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed defender Justin Bilyeu. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Bilyeu helped the New York Red Bulls II claim the 2016 USL Cup, and brings experience in the CONCACAF Champions League and Major League Soccer.
“Justin is a very technical player that can play in multiple positions in the defensive line,” said RGV FC Toros head coach Junior Gonzalez. “He is a true competitor and approaches the game with a strong mentality. We look forward to integrating him into our system of play.”
Bilyeu made 29 appearances over the past two seasons on loan with the Red Bulls II after being selected by the New York Red Bulls with the No. 18 selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. A former standout for FC Tucson in the PDL, Bilyeu made four appearances for the Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and competed for the club in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.
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“We are happy to add a young talented natural left back and reinforce our defensive corps going into the final third of the season,” said Dynamo Assistant General Manager Nick Kowba.
The hybrid relationship between the Dynamo and RGV FC in which the Dynamo control all aspects of soccer operations, including employment of the technical staff and player selection, while RGV FC manages the business side of the club, was unique in MLS when RGV FC was launched in 2016 and has quickly been emulated by multiple MLS clubs over the past year.
Through 19 games this season, RGV FC are in 12th place in the USL Western Conference standings with a 6-10-3 record and 21 points. The Toros fell 2-1 to the Portland Timbers’ USL affiliate, T2, on Saturday night and will return to action on Wednesday, August 2 when they travel to Vancouver to play Whitecaps 2.