SAN ANTONIO, Texas (October 13, 2018) – The Rio Grande Valley FC (8-12-15) draws 1-1 with San AntonioFC (14-12-9). Forward Carlos Small led the Toros with five total shots, two shots on target and a lone goal.
RGVFC started the first half of the match with an intensity of pressuring and defending. Goalkeeper Michael Nelson was tested on early in the 5th minute when Midfielder Jose Escalante sent a left footed shot to the center of the goal, but Nelson blocked it. Two minutes later Defender Kyle Adams heads out a cross preventing SAFC to have an attempt at goal. In the 13th minute, Midfielder Lance Laing took a left footed shot from outside the box but gets deflected by Toros defending line that made the ball go over the crossbar. In the 18th minute, Midfielder Nicolas Perea sent a through ball to Small, but the right footed shot was sent too high. In the 24th minute, Laing sent a cross to Forward Ever Guzman following a corner where Guzman headed it to the bottom left corner marking the lead of the match. One minute later, Small had an attempt but unfortunately, it was blocked by the SAFC defending line.
The Toros were eager to get an equalizer that in the 51st minute, Midfielder Jesus Enriquez and Small had a play that ended with Small sending it to the bottom left corner in between Goalkeeper Matt Cardone marking the 1-1 equalizer. Four minutes later, Midfielder Pablo Aguilar took a free kick that is sent to the top right corner but unfortunately, Cardone saved the shot. In the 63rd minute, Perea sent a right footed shot from outside the box but missed to the right side of the goal. RGVFC did not stop there. One minute later after Perea’s attempt, Small sent a right footed shot from more than 35 yards out but missed to the right. Enriquez had an attempt when he shot from the center of the box but again, missed to the bottom right corner. Three minutes later, Small and Enriquez had another play between each other that ended with Enriquez taking a shot but SAFC defending line blocks the attempt. Nelson had another crucial test when Rafael Castillo sent a left footed shot from outside the box where Nelson saved the shot from marking a lead in the 75th minute. One minute later, Aguilar and Small both had attempts that were saved. Enriquez had another attempt at goal where he sent a shot to the bottom right corner but missed in the 86th minute. The Toros had three back to back attempts at goal but wasn’t enough to mark the lead.
RGVFC closed the 2018 USL season with Aguilar leading the team with two shots on target (tied with Small), and two key passes. Defender Sheldon Sullivan led the Toros with five tackles and four interceptions. Defender Omar Ontiveros led with six clearances, four interceptions and two blocks. Nelson had two saves.
Attendance: 7,018
Scoring Summary:RGVFC – Small 51’ (Assisted by Enriquez); SAFC – Guzman 24’ (Assisted by Laing)
Misconduct Summary: SAFC – King 68’ (Yellow Card), Guzman 93’ (Yellow Card); RGVFC – Sullivan 12’ (Yellow Card), Aguilar 20’ (Yellow Card), Enriquez 44’ (Yellow Card), Small 58’ (Yellow Card), Wharton 93’ (Yellow Card).
SAFC – Matt Cordone, Darnell King, Moises Hernandez, Cyprian Hedrick, Greg Cochrane, Ethan Bryant (Mike Seth 87’), Pecka, Lance Laing, Mikey Lopez (Rafael Castillo 65’), Jose Escalante (Cesar Elizondo 66’), Ever Guzman.
Subs Not Used: Maxi Rodriguez, Charlie Ward, Armando Quezada, Connor Presley.
Stats: Shots: 15, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 1, Fouls: 9, Corner Kicks: 10, Offsides: 0.
RGVFC – Michael Nelson, Kyle Adams, Sheldon Sullivan, Manny Padilla, Omar Ontiveros, Nicolas Perea, Todd Wharton, Pablo Aguilar (Brandon Morales 87’), Carlos Small (Jordan Jones84’), Wilmer Cabrera Jr. (Bryce Marion 71’), Jesus Enriquez.
Subs Not Used: Nico Corti, Romilio Hernandez, Camilo Monroy, Robert Castellanos.
Stats: Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 7, Saves: 2, Fouls: 8, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 0.
# SOMOS TOROS #
