SAN DIEGO, California (July 23, 2022) – Rio Grande Valley F.C (7-11-3) faced San Diego Loyal SC (12-5-4) at Torero Stadium on Saturday evening. The home side were able to lock in their three points as they downed RGV FC 2-1 in a tightly contested match. Erik Pimentel ended the scoring drought for Rio Grande as he scored his first career USL Championship goal.
The Toros began the match on high pressure to Koke Vegas goal as they shot three times in the first fifteen minutes of action at Torero Stadium. San Diego’s first danger approach was waived off at the 16th minute as an offside was called on the play, 0-0.
Nick Moon connected well on a volley shot which forced Tyler Deric to make the quick diving save at the bottom left of goal to keep the match scoreless at the 22nd minute.
Christian Pinzon tested Vegas as he sent a strong shot from just inside the 18 yard box, Koke was forced to make the save at the line to end the danger on the play at the 26th minute, 0-0.
At the 36-minute mark, Ricky Ruiz sent a beautiful shot to the left side of the goal from the right side of the box but Vegas was able to place just enough of a touch on the ball to deflect it to the left post, bouncing clear of goal, 0-0. Rio Grande tallied …
San Diego found the lead as Tumi Moshobane sent a low shot from outside the box past Deric who stretched wide but was unable to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net, 1-0 38th minute.
Cabrera’s side found themselves in a déjà vu situation after dominating possession in the first half and testing the goal well. The Toros shot nine times, landing three on target while Loyal SC shot four times, all on target in the opening half to claim the lead heading into the locker room, 1-0.
Rio Grande equalized the match on a corner kick play at the 49th minute as Erik Pimentel found a loose ball right in front of the goal line after Emilio Ycaza sent the cross into the box on a modified corner kick try, Pimentel simply tapped the ball in to make it 1-1. Ycaza earned the assist on the goal.
Evan Conway curled a low ball past Tyler Deric to reclaim the lead for San Diego on a set piece play at the 54th minute after receiving the lob from Moshobane who took the free kick, 2-1.
Conway’s goal proved to be the dagger on the night as Loyal SC claimed their first series win over RGV FC by a one goal difference, 2-1. On the night Landon Donovan’s side shot eight on target, tallying the two goals.
RGV FC ended their scoring drought but were left with a bad taste in their mouth as they dropped their eleventh match of the year despite placing six on target and dominating the field for 56% of the match.
The Toros are back at H-E-B Park on Wednesday, July 27 for a midweek meeting with Hartford Athletic. The action kicks off at 7:30pm CST. To see more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
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