Luna and Casner lift the Toros over Swope Park Rangers

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (12,5,9) were victorious on the road against Swope Park Rangers (10,10,6) on Saturday, September 3. The Toros won 2-0 with goals from Ruben Luna and Robert “TJ” Casner.

RGV’s Callum Irving imposed himself early in the game. In the fifth minute, Irving stopped a dangerous cross by Swope Park Rangers’ Diego Rubio. A minute later, Robert “TJ”Casner shot a curler that was sent over the crossbar by Tim Melia, Swope Park’s goalkeeper. In the following corner kick, Ruben Luna found the back of the net after connecting with a diving header. Luna has scored in five consecutive matches. Rio Grande Valley’s Emilio Garcia stepped up to shoot a free kick in the 23rd minute. His shot forced Melia to go full stretch for the save.

Ruben Luna almost added another goal to his tally, but his shot hit the crossbar in the 46th minute. Swope Park Rangers had an opportunity to tie the game. George Malki committed a foul inside the box in the 56th minute, which lead to Swope Park Rangers being awarded a penalty. Callum Irving dove to his right and stopped Paulo Nagamura’s shot.

Casner would double RGV’s lead in the 67th minute. Casner received the ball inside the left side of the box and slid his shot past Melia. The opportunities would continue for the Toros in the dying minutes. Toros’ Dzenan catic dribbled past Swope Park Rangers’ goalkeeper, Tim Melia, in the 84th minute. However, Eric Bird could not connect when Catic passed the ball back to him. Melia would deny Catic’s close shot in the 89th minute leaving the game 2-0 in favor of the Toros.

The Toros are undefeated in the last ten games and have won the past five games. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros comes back home to face Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, September 10. Swope Park Rangers stay at home and will face Tulsa Roughnecks FC.