Frank Lopez, Emilio Ycaza link up for lone goal
EDINBURG, Texas (March 12, 2022) – Rio Grande picked up their first three points of the season in convincing fashion over Oakland Roots SC. Returner Frank Lopez scored the lone goal of the match as RGV FC took the 1-0 win.
The first real offensive threat came at the fourth minute for RGV FC as Frank Lopez and Ricky Ruiz combined inside the box with short passes. No shot was created as a sliding Oakland defender cleared the danger with a tackle.
Oakland Roots showed a clear danger approach at the 25th minute as Daruisz Formella sent a through pass from the left side of the box to the center, where captain Jesus Vazquez fought a contested shot and won a goal kick for RGV, ending the danger.
RGV FC opened the scoreboard at the 34th minute when Frank Lopez received a pass inside the center of the box from Emilio Ycaza. Lopez quickly controlled the ball and sent a right footed shot to the right side of the net, 1-0.
At the closing instants of the first half in the 45th minute, Oakland had yet another danger opportunity as Lindo Mfeka received a ground pass at the center of the box but sent the ensuing shot wide left, ending the danger.
Rio Grande ended the half with 11 crosses and 1 shot on target, the lone goal. Defensively the Toros had seven interceptions and three-won tackles.
Oakland Roots SC had an active first half but was unable to capitalize on any approaches. The Roots had 20 entries into the final third, taking just two shots, both off targets. Defensively they had eleven won tackles as RGV possessed 52.8% of the half.
The second half had a rather quiet start as both teams traded possession with no clear chances at goal. RGV FC found back-to-back corners in the 69th minute but came out with no good result as both chances were cleared by the defense.
Duilio Herrera, the Edinburg, Texas native, made both his RGV FC debut and his professional debut at the 82nd minute as he subbed on in place of Frank Lopez. He is a 17-year-old USL Academy signing who is a promising attacking piece for RGV.
Four Toros players subbed on and made their debut with the club as the match neared its dying minutes; Jonathan Ricketts, Stefan Mueller, Herrera, and Daniel Luis Saez.
Overall, the Rio Grande play-style looked to be a well-balanced attack-defend mechanism that had Oakland pivoting field all night. The Toros earned a clean sheet as Tyler Deric saw little to no danger at goal. In the defensive portion of the field, RGV won nine tackles, made 11 interceptions and limited Oakland to two total shots.
RGV FC will head to Orange County to face the reigning USL Championship League title holders. To see more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
