PORTALES, N.M. – Former Eastern New Mexico men's soccer player Carlos Viveros recently signed a professional contract with the Rio Grande Valley Toros of the USL Championship League.

Viveros was a member of the Eastern New Mexico men' soccer program from 2011-15 and has continued to pursue a career in professional soccer upon his graduation.  The midfielder originally from Katy, Texas appeared in 64 games throughout his Greyhound career, totaling 14 goals and 12 points throughout that time.

"My experience at Eastern was a good opportunity for me to start my soccer career under my first coach Harold Munoz," Viveros said, "He along with my teammates and other coaches taught me some valuable things I still use on the field today."


Viveros began his pursuit of a career in professional soccer immediately after graduation from Eastern New Mexico and played in a pro league in Australia before returning back to the United States and competing last season with the Brazos Valley Calvary, a USL League Two Semi-Pro team.  His play during his time with the Calvary caught the interest of the Rio Grande Valley Toros, who invited him to train as apart of their team in the off-season and eventually led to Viveros inking a contract with the club.

"Coming from the big city of Houston, Texas to Portales, New Mexico it was a big change for me," Viveros said, "My teammates that I had throughout my four years at Eastern really made it all worth t and I don't think I would ever change that for anything."

The Rio Grande Valley Toros are the USL Championship affiliate of the Houston Dynamo of the MLS and are based out of Edinburg, Texas. The Toros will get the 2019 USL Championship season started Mar. 9 on the road against Seattle Sounders 2.