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'Big Things To Come' For Tyler Rudy, Puerto Rico FC Next Season

The club is looking to build off a strong finish, win in the Luis Villarejo Cup final for the upcoming NASL season
Matthew Levine (@NASLInsider} | Nov 28, 2016

Photo credit: Indy Eleven/Trevor Ruszkowski

Midfielder Tyler Rudy was looking for a chance to gain vital playing time in the early stages of his playing career. He found that and more after joining Puerto Rico FC.

Rudy featured in 21 games, making 20 starts, and scored a pair of goals – the firsts of his professional career.

“It was a sacrifice I was willing to make to better my career and I think it was one of the best decisions I could’ve made for my career,” Rudy told NASL.com about heading to the Caribbean island. “It’s been pretty life-changing.”

Moving down to Puerto Rico, of course, took some getting used to for the Olney, Maryland, native.

“It’s completely different,” Rudy, 23, said. “You’re on an island and the culture is different. Things may take a little bit longer and it’s more of a relaxed feeling. You have to get used to do that.”

Rudy, though, headed into the year with Puerto Rico FC with a simple goal on his mind.

“I set out to work hard, get playing time, play well, and help the team,” he said. “I think the year went great.”

Playing in midfield, Rudy helped Puerto Rico FC improve each week during the club’s inaugural campaign in the NASL. Towards the end of the Fall Season, the side racked up an unbeaten streak of seven games and finished taking points in eight of the club’s last 10 games (4W-4D-2L).

“The first half of the season was getting to know each other as a team,” Rudy said. “As we started to play more and more games we were able to see and realize we were able to compete with any team in the league.”

Showing growth as a team on the field, Rudy also made plenty of strides from his first year as a professional when he split time between the New England Revolution of MLS and the Rochester Rhinos of the USL.

“I think I’ve grown so much as a player,” he said. “It just comes from playing – experience is everything. It’s crazy how much you can learn from just getting minutes. It’s something I didn’t have too great of an opportunity last year.”

The competition each and every week in the NASL and getting significant minutes in that environment spurred on improvements in Rudy’s play.

“There’s so many big-name players in the league that you just gain experience by playing against them,” he said. “Looking back, I’m a different player than I was at the beginning of the year and that’s what it was all about for me.”

Puerto Rico FC finished in ninth place in the Fall Season Standings, but has plenty of positives to take into the next season. The club also qualified for international play, earning a berth into the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship after reaching the final of the Luis Villarejo Cup. The NASL side picked up its first trophy with the 4-1 win over Criollos FC, outscoring opponents in the tournament, 14-1.

For Rudy and Puerto Rico FC, the best is only still to come.

“It’s exciting to see what this team is going to do in the future,” he said. “The entire organization grew as the year went on. There are big things to come. Next year it’s only going to get better.”

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