LAS VEGAS, Nevada (July 26, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (6-9-5, 23 pts.) travels this week in hopes of dropping Las Vegas Lights FC (6-8-4, 23 pts.) in their own home. The matchup is set to kick off at 9:30 P.M. CST on ESPN+.
The first meeting between the two sides this season resulted in a very convincing 5-2 victory for the Toros. The overall series between the two teams now sits at 2-1-0, the only loss coming on the road for RGV FC.
Both sides are eager to face each other as Las Vegas has much to prove against a young Toros side. The April 20th loss in Edinburg left a bad taste in Vegas head coach Eric Wynalda’s mouth and he hopes to lead his team to victory at Cashman Field on July 27.
Offensively, the Lights have been in tune and have scored 28 goals thus far, the troubling side for them is in the goals conceded category which currently sits at 31 goals. The hope for the Toros is to keep adding to that total and swipe a victory on the road.
The leading scorer for Las Vegas is Irving Parra, who has totaled nine goals. He is not the only concerning piece in the attack, Pablo Cruz has contributed well to the attack, creating 35 chances on the season. At goal, Thomas Olsen has been shining bright with 48 saves and has locked in seven clean sheets for Wynalda.
Despite heading into the match with a four-game losing streak on the road, RGV FC received a major boost in confidence and energy after winning, 2-1, in a last-minute thriller against Sacramento Republic FC. Defender Kyle Adams rescued the victory as he scored on a set-piece goal in the 90th minute of the match after teammate Isidro Martinez had scored a deflating own goal to tie the match up just minutes prior.
The Toros lost a good offensive piece in Wilmer Cabrera Jr., who leaves RGV FC to pursue his NCAA career at Butler University. Cabrera scored four goals on the season and was a key dynamic piece upfront for Echeverry.
Although being at home, Las Vegas has a short turnaround after dropping a road match against Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday, July 24, 4-1. If the last time around is any indication to the success that RGV FC may enjoy, this will be a positive road trip for Echeverry’s side if they remain disciplined in the back and put away all chances.
Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @RGVFC or by following #SomosToros. To see more matchday information, visit https://www.rgvfc.com .
# SOMOS TOROS #
