The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros and Phoenix Rising FC will split points after a 1-1 draw in which Ivan Magalhaes scored late for the Toros. Jason Johnson scored in the first half via penalty. Phoenix Rising finished the game with nine men after receiving two red cards.
Borja Angoitia, goalkeeper for the Toros, was needed early on in the game. In the sixth minute, he denied Blair Gavin from getting the first goal of the night with a diving save. Jose Escalante had a header in the 25th minute, but it went over the crossbar. RGV’s Taylor Hunter was called for a handball inside the penalty box in the 40th minute. Jason Johnson shot his penalty kick to his left and put it past Angoitia for the first goal of the match.
Early in the second half, Rio Grande Valley sought the equalizer and pushed lines forward. Joseph Holland tried his luck but his shot went slightly to the right of the goal in the 56th minute. Jorginho James, who had replaced Eric Alexander, shot a rocket from outside the penalty box. Carl Woszczynski was able to save the shot to keep Phoenix ahead with the lead.
As the game got closer to the end, the Toros kept finding holes in the Phoenix defense. Woszczynski denied Jose Escalante after he cut through the Phoenix defense. TJ Casner almost found the equalizer for the Toros after collecting a rebound inside the penalty box, but his shot sailed over the crossbar in the 81st minute. Two minutes later, Casner shot from outside the box. His curling shot did not dip enough and it went over the crossbar.
Phoenix Rising FC lost a man in the 86th minute. Amadou Dia received his second yellow card and was sent off. Todd Wharton volleyed in a rebound inside the box and was denied by Woszczynski in the 88th minute. Seconds later, Phoenix Rising were left with nine players. Doueugui Mala was shown a red card after a foul on Eric Bird. The Toros found their equalizer in stoppage time. Wharton headed in a cross in which Ivan Magalhaes capitalized on and headed in for the goal.
The Toros next game will be at home in H-E-B Park when they host Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, August 19.
