OKLAHOMA CITY (Saturday, August 15, 2020) – Rio Grande Valley FC (0-5-3) drew 0-0 on the road against OKC Energy FC (1-3-3) on Saturday night. The club earned its first clean sheet of the season.
The first half stayed at zero for both sides. OKC tested keeper Paul Blanchette after a set-piece play where Nico Taravel flicked a header going out wide in the 3rd minute. James Murphy managed to stop another opportunity after Arun Basuljevic received a ball inside the box where Murphy slide tackled the shot, going out to corner.
Garrett McLaughlin dribbled inside the box sending a cross towards the box but was blocked out by the Energy’s defense in the 22nd minute. Four minutes later, Isidro Martinez took a right footed shot from outside the box, but goalkeeper C.J. Cochran saved the attempt in the center of the goal.
Blanchette continued to be tested on two back-to-back occasions. First attempt was a shot from close range where Blanchette didn’t allow any open space, blocking the shot out in the bottom left post. Second save was saved in the center of the goal.
The second half kicked off with DeShane Beckford stealing the ball and driving the ball into the box, but Cochran came out to save the run by Beckford in the 50th minute. Beckford continued to create dangerous opportunities as he took a right footed shot from the right side of the box but was sent too high and wide.
In the 67th minute, Jose Hernandez took on the Toros defenders and managed to get deflected out to corner. McLaughlin tested Cochran as he sent a flicked ball towards goal, going over the keeper and going out of play. One minute later, Houston Dynamo loanee Kyle Adams forced Cochran to stretch out after sending a strike from a distance.
Blanchette was forced for deflection at the crossbar after Jaime Chavez cut inside sending a ball from outside the box in the 80th minute. Five minutes later, Martinez sent a corner kick inside the box where Robert Castellanos headed the ball to the center of the goal, but Cochran saved the attempt by the defender.
OKC continued to pressure the Toros as they entered stoppage time. Hernandez sent a cross inside the box, connecting with Omar Gordon but he sent the ball out too high.
With tonight’s draw, RGV FC extend their winless streak to eight as they have yet earned a win this 2020 season. The club totaled eight shots, four on target while winning 53.8% of duels faced. The Energy totaled 12 shots, four on target while winning 46.2% of duels faced.
Blanchette totaled four saves, two clearances while keeping his first clean sheet of the season. Carter Manley totaled four tackles, five clearances. Dynamo loanee Erik McCue totaled four clearances along with one tackle.
Beckford led the club’s offensive effort with three total shots, one on target adding two tackles.
RGV FC return to H-E-B Park as they host Austin Bold FC on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is set at 8 p.m. CST. Matchup will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+ and locally on Somos El Valle 5.2. To see more matchday information, visit https://www.rgvfc.com.
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Rio Grande Valley FC (0-5-3; 3 pts.) 0-0 OKC Energy FC (1-3-3; 6 pts.)
USL Championship 2020 Season – Match 8
Sunday, August 15, 2020 – Taft Stadium – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
SCORING SUMMARY
|
TEAM |
1H |
2H |
FT |
|
Rio Grande Valley FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
OKC Energy FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LINEUPS & STATISTICS
RGV FC: Paul Blanchette, Robert Castellanos, Carter Manley, Kyle Adams, Erik McCue (Diego Rocha 66), Isidro Martinez Garrett McLaughlin, James Murphy, Kembo Kibato (Kyle Edwards 82), DeShane Beckford (Jonathan Jimenez 82), Taiberson (Luka Prpa 72).
Unused substitutes: Ryan Coulter, Christian Lucatero, Juan C. Obregon Jr.
Total Shots: 8 Shots on Goal: 4 Fouls Committed: 10 Offside: 0 Corner Kicks: 3 Saves: 4
OKC: C.J. Cochran, Christian Ibeagha, Joseph Amico (Atiba Harris 59), Rafa Garcia, Jose Hernandez, Jaime Chavez, Arun Basuljevic (Owayne O. Gordon 78), Nico Taravel (Tucker Stephenson 82), Charlie Ward, Zach Ellis-Hayden (Kyle Hyland 45), Jon Brown.
Unused substitutes: Cody Laurendi, Brad Dunwell, Frank Lopez.
Total Shots: 12 Shots on Goal: 4 Fouls Committed: 11 Offside: 2 Corner Kicks: 10 Saves: 4
DISCIPLINE
OKC: Zachary Ellis-Hayden (caution; foul) 14
OFFICALS
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referee 1: Kevin Lock
Assistant Referee 2: Truman Berghall
Fourth Official: Matthew Corrigan
# THECOMEBACK #
