EDINBURG, Texas (September 21, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (8-15-7, 31 pts.) defeat Real Monarchs SLC (12-10-7, 43 pts.) 3-1 at home on Saturday night. Houston Dynamo loanee, Michael Salazar, scored his 10thgoal with the Toros leading the squad in the 2019 USL Championship season.
The Monarchs first tested Houston Dynamo loanee, Michael Nelson at goal when Noah Powder took a left-footed shot from outside the box but missed to the right side of the goal in the 5th minute.
In the 30th minute, Kurowskybob Fertil-Pierre conceded a penalty after fouling Nico Lemoine inside the penalty area. Jesus Enriquez converted the penalty with a shot to the center of the goal past Evan Finney, 1-0.
Immediately, Jack Blake took a shot from outside the box but missed to the left in the 33rd minute. Real Monarchs continued their attempt to equalize as Luis Palma sent a strike from outside the box, but Nelson saved the shot in the top left corner of the goal in the 42nd minute.
Nelson continued to be tested by Palma. In the 45th minute, Palma sent a right-footed shot from the center of the box but missed close to the right after Cristian Calix sent him a long pass. During stoppage time, Palma sent a shot from outside the box but Nelson, once again, saved the shot forcing it to hit the right post.
The Toros gained momentum in the second half when Salazar, drove the ball into the box then passed it to Dynamo loanee, Eric Bird, where he then sent it to the bottom right corner of the goal, 2-0, in the 56th minute.
In the 64th minute, Isidro Martinez took a bicycle kick but missed as he hit the left post. RGV FC continued their energy for their three points at home when in the 75th minute Enriquez sent a through ball to Salazar. Salazar took a right-footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner past Finney, 3-0.
Salazar conceded a foul in the 80th minute where the Monarchs get an opportunity for a set piece situation. Following the set-piece, Kalen Ryden headed the ball to Damian German. German then tapped it past Nelson, 3-1.
RGV FC ended the night with seven total shots, four on target, with 85.8 percent passing accuracy. The squad also totaled 486 passes with a 61.4 percent of duels won. Real Monarchs totaled 13 shots, three on target with 88.6 percent passing accuracy.
Enriquez led the squad tonight with two shots, two on target adding one created chance. He also added the goal and assist for the Toros. Salazar totaled one shot, one on target, an assist and a lone goal.
Defensively, Conor Donovan totaled seven clearances, four blocks and one tackle. He also totaled 86 touches with 83.3 percent of duels won. Kyle Adams totaled two tackles and two clearances, adding a block. He also had four total duels which he won all.
Martinez also contributed both offensively and defensively for RGV FC. He totaled two shots, one on target, one created chance. Martinez added two tackles, two interceptions and one clearance. Nelson totaled two saves with a clearance.
RGV FC continue their quest to playoffs as they host Orange County SC at H-E-B Park on Saturday, September 28. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will be available on ESPN+ and Somos El Valle 5.2.
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.
Attendance: 4037
Scoring Summary: RGV FC – Enriquez 32’ (PK), Bird 56’ (Assist by Salazar), Salazar 75’ (Assist by Enriquez).
SLC – German 81’ (Assist by Ryden, Blake).
Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Lemoine 58’ YC.
SLC – Blake 54’ YC, Fertil-Pierre 72’ YC, Chang 82’ YC, Powder 85’ YC.
SLC – Finney, Fertil-Pierre, Ryden, Powder, Moberg (Calix 25’), Brown, Palma (Vazquez 73’), Chang, Blake, Arriaga, Coffee (German 80’).
Subs: Silva, Olivares, Etoundi.
Stats: Shots: 13 Shots on Goal: 3 Saves: 1 Fouls: 14 Corner Kicks: 3 Offsides: 3.
RGV FC –Nelson, Junqua, Adams, Donovan, Samuels, Bird, Rodriguez (Beckford 66’), Lemoine (Garza 88’), Martinez (Cabrera 84’), Salazar.
Subs:Small, Castellanos, Corti, Jackson.
Stats: Shots: 7 Shots on Goal: 4 Saves: 2 Fouls: 11 Corner Kicks: 1 Offsides: 1.
# SOMOS TOROS #
