06/18/2026
The Worthington Community Football Club Los Toros soccer team will host a Nebraska-South Dakota-Iowa Conference semifinal match at 5 p.m. Sunday, and the team will look to keep both its undefeated and unscored-upon streaks intact. Los Toros earned the right to host the game — and the finals, if it wins Sunday — thanks to a 1-0 triumph at Omaha Street, which put an end to Worthington's season in 2025.
"Obviously, we were expecting them to be a very solid opponent since they were second in the table (standings) and right behind us," Toros head coach Juani Mackrey said. "They did a fantastic job this year at rebuilding the squad. They were the playoff champions last year and rightfully so, they beat us in the final, so we were coming into this game with that baggage behind us. Also, we knew they had new players, but we were also confident that we had a very good squad. Fortunately, all the work we put into the season paid off, so that win had a little bit of an extra bonus."
On Sunday, Los Toros will take on the winner of a play-in game between a pair of Omaha teams, Reapers FC and Superstars FC.
"No matter what, it will be a team that we have beaten already," Mackrey stated. "Both of the teams that are playing the play-in are very competitive, so we're expecting a good match out of it. We know we have a little bit of an advantage since they play their playing on Saturday and we'll have our game on Sunday. However, with being the champions, we know everybody wants to beat us, too, so we'll be ready and prepared to perform on Sunday.
If Los Toros win on Sunday, they'll host the finals match the following weekend with a chance to advance to nationals. That would mark a first in Worthington Community Football Club history.
Hear much more by visiting https://www.myradioworks.net/podcasts (click on 571 and 572 for two interviews with Mackrey),
Another Thursday sports segment
The Los Toros soccer team has played 10 matches this season and surrendered zero goals. Coach Juani Mackrey spoke Wednesday about his defense.
"I think just reminding the guys that yes, they've done a fantastic job so far, but it took us a lot of work to get to this level," he said. "I think they already do a good enough job upon themselves to put that into practice. Every single practice they give their 200 percent. They all want to be in the starting lineup, and they all want to make sure we keep that clean sheet record.
"I think overall it comes down to the coaching staff to keep enforcing the intensity a little bit, but also the players have been really good at self-verifying those things as well," Mackrey added.
The coach was quick to recognize some of his defensive standouts. He singled out goalkeeper Ismail Carreno along with defenders Harry Tuin, Antonio Soler and Tiago Moreira. He also gave a "shout out" to the team's second-string goalkeeper, Adrian Flores.
"He had the opportunity to come in two of our games," Mackrey noted. "He's a local Worthington home-grown talent. Both of the games he managed to keep a clean sheet."
Mackrey said those players — not to mention various others, including regular substitutes — have keyed the strong defensive performance.
Offensively, meanwhile, Los Toros have been paced of late by the goal scoring of Tim Berger.
Hear more at myradioworks.net.
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