2nd Rio Alumnae Signs with NM United!

Alex Touche (Rio 99) joins Josh Suggs (Rio 89) to join the ranks for New Mexico United!

Alex, played for Rio Rapids SC through his entire club career. Alex joined Rio Rangers actually at U11 after moving back to Albuquerque from England in the Summer of 2009 at age 9. The Rangers and Inter then joined to make Rio’s  “showcase” team, the Rio 98 Boys (U13). Both Alex and his twin brother, Charles, played up on the 98 boys team.  They later joined the 99 boys and won multiple Rio Rapids SC state championships in 2014 and 2015, as well as winning the Presidents Day Tournament.  He also won back-to-back state titles with high school team, (alongside his twin brother)  Academy Academy, in 2015/2016. They also played for Albuquerque Sol in the USL League 2. Alex was first-team All-Ivy League in his final two seasons at Penn (the Quakers did not compete in 2020 because of coronavirus concerns) and was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He scored eight goals at Penn, four of them match-winners Touche is the fifth new player to sign this offseason and will join former club rival and Sol teammate Sergio Rivas on the 2021 United roster. Touche’s brother, Charles, plays men’s soccer at Cornell.

Josh, as many Burquenos know, is captain of New Mexico United. Far fewer know that Josh was, a long time ago, captain of Rio Rapids 89 boys. Josh grew up playing soccer in the soccer-crazed town of Las Cruces. His father, Wayne, coached him and his 1989 birthyear teammates from day one till day last.  Josh was a bit of a prodigy, performing very well as a young player, making the 88 NM ODP team as an 89.  From there he continued to develop and progress. Eventually, at the end of U16, he and his Las Cruces United team, joined Rio to become Rio del Sur 89. That year (2006) they managed a semi-final at Dallas Cup, eventually getting knocked off by Tigres de Guadalajara U17s.  At U18 Rio del Sur merged with Rio 89 to become a powerhouse. That team, coached by Sibby Browne and assistant coached by Josh’s dad, Wayne, had players rostered from Los Alamos, Carlsbad, El Paso, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Roswell–the most regionally diverse team in Rio’s boys’ side history.

“Josh was a natural leader in that group (he was a hard worker, but also friendly with everyone, easy to laugh, and a great storyteller) which culminated with his successful penalty kick in the 89th minute to win the U18 NM State Championship against arch rival Albuquerque United 89.” said Rio Rapids Coach: Sebhat “Sibby” Browne, U9 thru U12 Boys Director