EDINBURG, Texas (August 21, 2020) – The Rio Grande Valley FC (0-5-3) returns to H-E-B Park as they look to host Austin Bold FC (2-2-2) on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CST and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+ and locally on Somos El Valle 5.2.
Here are your three key points:
Despite holding their first clean sheet of the 2020 campaign, the Toros continue to be winless. The club sits fifth in Group D with three points. Though the team has created chances, they continue to not be able to finish plays, which the offensive effort has lacked thus far. The squad has totaled 72 shots, only 28 were on target and decreasing their conversion rate to 6.9%. Defender Robert Castellanos leads the team with nine total shots, three on target with Taiberson following at eight and three on target, also creating five chances for the club. Brownsville native Isidro Martinez leads the Toros with 13 chances created which has also added four shots, one on target. RGV FC needs to focus on finishing key plays in order to put the teams behind and start earning points as the team reaches midway the 2020 season.
Even though the team manages to create chances, RGV FC’s ball retention and passes are crucial in order to be able to finish plays. The Toros have averaged a 44% possession in eight matches, with a 76.7% successful pass rate and only 24 successful crosses. Against Austin, RGV held a game average of 35.8% and most recently, held a 36.6% possession average against OKC Energy FC.
Both clubs met recently on August 8 where RGV FC suffered an upsetting 4-1 loss with a 10-man roster on the pitch. The Toros have yet been able to earn a win against Austin as the overall record stands at 0-3-0, while the home record is 0-1-0. The Bold have shown to be relentless and capitalize on opportunities given but the team will enter Saturday’s matchup with two games under its belt within 7 days – having drawn against San Antonio FC 1-1 and 2-2 against FC Tulsa on Wednesday night. Hence, Austin will be at a disadvantage as the traveling can exhaust athletes, especially with three matches in seven days. Both Billy Forbes and Ismaila Jome have scored a pair of goals each – Jome scored both against RGV and added an assist. Forbes has taken 12 shots, which shows to be a threat for the opposing teams. In addition, Ema Twumasi has created nine chances while Jome and Xavier Baez have created seven each.
Head Coach Gerson Echeverry will be unavailable on Saturday’s match due to a violation of the USL’s Return to Play Protocols.
RGV FC vs Austin Bold FC
H-E-B Park – Edinburg, Texas
August 22 – 8:00 p.m. CST
STREAMING: ESPN+
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