The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros did not have a desired start to their three-game Northwestern trip. The Toros were defeated 2-1 by Portland Timbers 2 in a game where they missed two penalty shots.
Marco Carducci was needed early in the game. Carducci saved Kyle Bjornethun’s left footed shot from inside the box in the 12th minute of the game. Portland Timbers 2 capitalized off an RGV mistake. Omar Mohamed stole the box from Taylor Hunter inside the penalty box and scored to put Timbers 2 ahead in the 26th minute.
Joseph Holland would tie things up in the 30th minute. Escalante pushed the game wide to Kai Greene who sent a marvelous cross to Holland. Holland headed the ball into the lower right corner to even things out between the two teams.
Rio Grande Valley had a chance to get ahead early in the second half. Jose Escalante drew a foul inside the penalty box in the 52nd. Escalante stepped up to take the penalty, but Kendall McIntosh saved the shot. In the 69th minute, Russell Cicerone beat the backs of the RGV FC Toros but sent his shot over the crossbar.
Portland Timbers 2 scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute. Omar Mohamed served the ball to Villyan Bijev. Bijev did not forgive and volleyed his shot into the net. Kyle Murphy was fouled inside the box in the 86th minute resulting in another penalty for the Toros. Todd Wharton took it and Rio Grande Valley was once again denied by McIntosh.
Rio Grande Valley next game is on August 2 in Vancouver. The Toros play against Whitecaps FC 2 at 12pm. on Wednesday.
