Former MLS Sueno winner Rogelio Funes Mori, who played in the FC Dallas Juniors program, scored two first-half goals for River Plate in its 3-2 win overIndependiente, its third victory in three games to start Argentina’s Torneo Apertura.
River is tied with Velez Sarsfield for first place after three games. It needs a strong season toavoid relegation. After two straight miserable campaigns, River Plate begins the 2010-11 season at the top of the list of relegation candidates.
Relegation in Argentina is based on theaverage number of points over three seasons. The system was intended to protect big clubs like River Plate from having bad season and going down. Argentina conducts its season in two halves.
Funes’ family moved to the Dallas area in 2001 and he starred at Arlington High School and the ASG youth club. He joined the FCD youth system after winning the MLS Sueno reality show but was soonmoved back to Argentina after being discovered by River Plate while at a tryout at English club tryout.