OAKLAND, California (June 11, 2022) – Rio Grande Valley F.C (6-8-1) drew on the road,2-2, against Oakland Roots SC (4-4-8) on Saturday, June 11 at Laney Stadium to rescue a lone point. Javier Garcia made his professional debut for RGV FC, he had a career high three saves on the night. Robert Coronado and Wahab Ackwei were the two scorers on the night for RGV.
Rio Grande found the opening goal at the 13th minute as Isidro Martinez sent a headed ball back into the center of goal to assist a closing Robert Coronado, who tapped in the ball to make it 0-1 in favor of the visitors. The play developed from an unforced error which then made its way into the box via the foot of Ricky Ruiz who went a cross to the right side of goal.
The goal marked Coronado’s fourth on the season, which placed him in a three-way tie with Frank Lopez and Emilio Ycaza for RGV FC top scorer. Martinez added to his assist total which now sits at a team leading, five on the season.
Wahab Ackwei sent an unforgiving top-class volley shot into the back of the net at the 23rd minute as he received a service ball from the foot of Robert Coronado, 0-2. RGV recovered yet another unforced ball from Oakland near the box to develop this danger chance. Ackwei took the shot after making a 180 adjustment to catch the deflected ball midair and shot it with force to the back left of the goal. No assist was credited on the play due to the deflection off a Roots defender. The goal was the Ghanaian defender’s second of the campaign.
Oakland Roots was held to no shots overall in the first half despite possessing 58% of the opening half.
The home side pulled one back at the 77th minute as Juan Carlos Azocar headed the ball into goal, Wahab Ackwei attempted the clearance but was unsuccessful. The set piece play came from a corner kick try for Oakland, 1-2.
At the 87th minute, the Roots equalized the match, 2-2, as Charlie Dennis sent a shot from outside the box to the bottom right of the goal past a diving Javier Garcia, who made his professional debut.
Azocar tested the Toros net at the 92nd minute but was denied by Javier Garcia who made the diving save to end the danger on the play and keep the match, 2-2. At the 94th minute Ottar Karlsson took a bouncing shot but was also denied by Garcia who tallied his third save of the night, a career high.
When the final whistle blew, RGV FC found themselves on the back end of a draw, their first of the season. Oakland outshot Rio Grande in the second half as they took nine tries at goal, five of which landed on target in their comeback effort.
RGV FC will head back to H-E-B Park to face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, June 18 at 7:30pm CST. To see more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
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