The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros could not extend their three game undefeated streak at home and lost to Sacramento Republic FC 2-1. Kyle Murphy scored for the Toros in the 69th minute. Vilyan Bijev scored in the 72nd minute for Sacramento, and Carlos Rodriguez had the game winner in stoppage time.
Ivan Magalhaes had an opportunity to put the Toros ahead in the fifth minute. However, his shot went over the crossbar. The Toros needed of Borja Angoitia’s services in the 38th minute. Angotia denied Sacramento’s Matthew Wiesenfarth from scoring the first goal of the night.
A lofting through ball left RGV’s Jose “Memo” Rodriguez with a good angle at goal. His shot from right outside the penalty box went wide to the left in the 56th minute. The Toros were finally able to break through Sacramento’s defense in the 69th minute. Robert Casner tipped a Memo Rodriguez cross into Kyle Murphy’s way. Murphy shot towards the left post and scored for the RGV FC Toros.
Sacramento Republic FC responded almost immediately and got the equalizer in the 72nd minute. After collecting a cross to the far post, Tyler Blackwood dropped the ball to Villyan Bijev who shot it past Angoitia for the goal.
Jose Escalante almost put the Toros ahead in the 80th minute. Memo Rodriguez crossed the ball over to Escalante from the right side of the field. Escalante had to resort to an acrobatic finish to make contact with the ball, but his shot did not find the back of the net. In the dying seconds of the match, Carlos Rodriguez headed in a corner kick to seal the game into Sacramento Republic FC’s favor.
Rio Grande Valley next game is on September 16th at home. The Toros match will kick-off at 7:30p.m.