McALLEN — McAllen High girls soccer head coach Pat Arney is notorious for downplaying how good his team could be during the season.
So, imagine hearing this: “I would say, yes, usually I do (downplay) and I have been, but I have to say we’re looking pretty good right now,” said Arney, entering his 27th year at the Bulldogs’ helm.
Stop the presses … what?
“We’re ahead of where I thought we would be at this point,” Arney said on the eve of the 25th annual McAllen ISD Girls Soccer Showcase, a three-day event with 14 teams from the Valley, Corpus Christi and San Antonio. “But it’s early and we still have a lot of work to do.”
The three McAllen schools will host matches each day. McHi opens with a 3 p.m. game today against Harlingen South at McAllen Stadium. Memorial plays at 5 p.m. at home against Corpus Christi Calallen, and Rowe plays on its home turf at 6 p.m. against San Antonio O’Connor.
For a complete schedule, visit RGVSports.com.
Arney, whose teams have won seven straight district titles and 19 throughout his career, said that as recent as a month or so ago, he was trying to figure out who will fill in for the six starters he lost from last year’s squad.
“Think about it and who we lost — they were all quality players who could play in college. That’s huge,” Arney said. “I knew I would need girls to step up this year and they have. It’s so pleasing … but we’ve just started.
“The way they have worked together has been outstanding. Girls who I thought, ‘Maybe they can start here and there,’ when I make the lineup, they are there starting. No maybe.”
The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 29-0 in the six scrimmages this season.
All three McAllen teams are expected to be in a battle for the top spot in District 31-5A. Last year, the top four spots came down to the last day, with McHi, McAllen Memorial, McAllen Rowe and Sharyland High all separated by just three points. This year, there’s also perennial Class 6A power Edinburg Vela, which moved down to Class 5A.
“I would say they’re the team to beat in our district,” Arney said. “It’s going to be a battle like last year. Up until a month ago, I was thinking we might not make the playoffs. In this district, though, you never know and we still might not.”
District 31-5A has 10 teams this year with the addition of Vela and PSJA North, so the regular district season begins Friday, Jan. 13, and two of the district powers, McHi and McAllen Rowe, will kick off district play at 6 p.m. at McAllen High Stadium.
2023 McAllen ISD Girls Soccer Showcase:
>> Thursday, Jan. 5
At McAllen High Stadium
McAllen High vs. Harlingen South, 3 p.m.
San Antonino Warren vs. Edinburg North, 5 p.m.
San Antonio Taft vs. Harlingen High, 7 p.m.
At McAllen Memorial
McAllen Memorial vs. Calallen. 5 p.m.
Los Fresnos vs. Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.
At McAllen Rowe
Flour Bluff vs. Donna North, 4 p.m.
McAllen Rowe vs. San Antonio O’Connor, 6 p.m.
>> Friday, Jan. 6
At McAllen High Stadium
McAllen High vs. Flour Bluff, 11 a.m.
Harlingen South vs. Calallen, 1 p.m.
San Antonio O’Connor vs. Los Fresnos, 3 p.m.
At McAllen Memorial
McAllen Memorial vs. San Antonio Taft, 11 a.m.
Harlingen High vs. Edinburg North, 1 p.m.
At McAllen Rowe
McAllen Rowe vs. San Antonio Warren, 9:30 a.m.
Edinburg Economedes vs. Donna North, noon
>> Saturday, Jan. 7
At McAllen High Stadiun
Edinburg Economedes vs. San Antonio Warren, 9 a.m.
McAllen High vs. Calallen, 11 a.m.
At McAllen Memorial
Harlingen High vs. San Antonio O’Connor, 9 a.m.
Flour Bluff vs. Harlingen South, 11 a.m.
McAllen Memorial vs. Donna Noeth, 1 p.m.
At McAllen Rowe
San Antonio Taft vs. Los Fresnos, 9 a.m.
McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg North, 11 a.m.
