Today, Tuesday, Oct. 22, Rio Hondo men’s soccer hosts Cerritos College at 6 p.m. on the Rio Hondo soccer field. The Falcons are Rio’s biggest test yet as the visitor’s undefeated record makes them California’s second-best.

“The boys say they’re ready, we’ll see,” said Rio head coach Orlando Brenes. “We will have to match their physicality and mental toughness but hopefully we can play quality soccer.”

With the way Cerritos has been dominating teams this season, it’s a tough ask for the Roadrunners to come away with a win. Despite that, Coach Brenes thinks Rio has a chance if they don’t allow their mistakes to get the best of them.

Assistant coach Francisco Chaidez also agrees that if the Roadrunners are able to intercept balls in the middle of the field, they will be effective.

“They like to attack with six players,” Chaidez said. “If we can maintain possession to make their center backs come out and make space for Pepe [Jose Peñaloza] and Fernie [Fernando Guerrero], we will be effective.”

Coming off a 1-1 draw at LA Harbor, Cerritos will want to get back to winning ways against the Roadrunners who, with a victory and a Mt. SAC win, jump to second place in the South Coast Conference.

Rio also tied 1-1 with LA Harbor 11 days ago so it’ll bode well facing Cerritos for second-best in the league. Following the Falcons, Rio will face Long Beach City on the road Friday at 2 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

LBCC face LA Harbor today and sit in sixth place in the SCC.