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Rio Grande Valley FC Toros announce roster moves

NEED TO KNOW:

• Club picked up contract options on seven players
• Toros declined contract options on eight players; two players fulfill loan
• Eight players are out of contract after 2019 season

EDINBURG, Texas (Monday, Dec. 9, 2019) – The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros have announced a number of roster moves as the club begins preparations for the 2020 USL Championship season.

The club picked up contract options on seven players for the 2019 season: Dynamo Academy products FW Nico Lemoine and MF Kevin Rodriguez; DF Robert Coronado, MF Isidro Martinez, FW Juan Carlos Obregon, DF Andrew Samuels and GK Ben Willis.

The club declined contract options on eight players: MF Andres Arcila, MF Hector Copete, GK Nico Corti, DF Conor Donovan, MF Brad Dunwell, MF Romilio Hernandez, DF Sergio Mena and DF Carlos Viveros. The loans for two players expired following the conclusion of the 2019 season: MF Deshane Beckford and FW Carlos Small. 

Eight players are out of contract at the end of the 2019 season: DF Kyle Adams, MF David Cabrera, DF Robert Castellanos, MF Jesus Enriquez, MF Victor Garza, DF Zach Jackson, FW Camilo Monroy and FW Aldo Quintanilla. For a number of these players, conversations with the club about returning in 2020 are ongoing.

“We want to thank each of these players for their dedication and commitment to the club,” said RGV FC General Manger Nick Kowba. “These roster decisions are always challenging, but we’re confident with the group returning and a few recent signings that will be announced soon we are putting ourselves in a position to have success in 2020.”

Including the players whose contract options were picked up, the Toros currently have seven players under contract.

RGV FC PLAYERS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT (7)

# SOMOS TOROS #

The inaugural USL Academy Western Conference Regional Event in San Antonio wrapped up on Monday, and after an exciting four days, the competition set an exciting precedent for what’s to come from the brand-new initiative that has the potential to change the landscape of American soccer. 

Hosted by San Antonio FC at Toyota Field (home of the club’s USL Championship side) and STAR Soccer Complex, the tournament showcased some of the country’s top youth prospects competing against each other and offered unique off-field development opportunities for coaches, players and referees. Three games were streamed worldwide, drawing thousands of live viewers and providing incredible exposure for those on the pitch.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have finally hosted the first USL Academy Cup event, and we were honestly blown away with the level of support it received from our clubs, players and communities,” said USL Sr. Director of Youth Development Liam O’Connell. “In addition to a high competitive standard of play, our clubs came together to prove that this platform can be used to collectively drive our game forward in this country. We’re confident that when we look back at this event in years to come, there will be a number of players competing in our senior team leagues who took their first steps through the USL Academy path.”

The RGV FC Academy ended the tournament with a 1-1-1 record. On Friday, October 11, the Toros earned their first draw, 2-2, against the Austin Bold FC academy. The second day, the young Toros suffered their first loss against Saint Louis FC, 0-1. On the last day of the tournament, RGV FC defeated FC Golden State 3-1 as they earned their first win in USL Academy play. 

One Toro who stood out in the tournament was Alejandro Salazar who assisted in the attacking side by finishing the opportunities he was faced with. In addition, Salazar earned a brace against FC Golden State. 

Aside from the action during games, those in attendance at the event had the chance to learn and exchange best practices for youth development. The referees at the tournament gathered on multiple occasions for development sessions, led by Dick Triche of Officials Management Group. USL Academy will continue to emphasize improving the quality of officiating at its events in the future, with the ultimate goal of having these initiatives trickle up to the professional game.

On Saturday night, coaches from nearly every team met for a Youth Development Workshop, where San Antonio FC Pro Academy Director Nick Evans presented a case study on his club’s unique talent identification and integration philosophy. The coaches then broke into small group discussions to bounce ideas off each other and explain youth development strategy at their clubs.

At Sunday’s Pro Pathway Panel, players heard from experienced coaches, academy directors, and professional soccer players about the potential pitfalls in building a professional soccer career. Moderated by USL Senior Director of Youth Development Liam O’Connell, the panel included Union Omaha’s Jay Mims, Phoenix Rising’s Jon Pearlman, San Antonio FC’s Ryan Roushandel, and Austin Bold’s Sonny Guadarrama. 

The panelists discussed the lack of a defined pathway when they were growing up and stressed the importance of taking advantage of the evolving opportunities like USL Academy that are growing and building new avenues to reach professional soccer in America. Mims emphasized that soccer is now more available than ever, and that young players should play and watch the game as much as possible. 

Roushandel, who retired from professional soccer earlier this year, said that most professionals hear the word “no” more than they hear the word “yes.” The former San Antonio FC player told the attendees to keep pursuing the dream through the rejections, and to never stop playing.

With the first-ever USL Academy Western Conference Event complete, attention now turns to the USL Academy Eastern Conference Regional Event, which will take place in February 2020 at the Premier Sports Complex at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, Florida. Teams from the East and the West will then meet for the inaugural USL Academy National Event, where both U13 and U17 national champions will be crowned.

To stay up-to-date on everything going on with USL Academy, visit usl-academy.com or search #USLAcademy on social media.

EDINBURG, Texas (October 18, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (11-15-8, 41 pts.) concludes 2019 USL Championship season with a win over Portland Timbers 2 (10-16-8, 38 pts.) on Saturday night at H-E-B Park, 2-1. 

The season finale kicked off with a left-footed strike by Deshane Beckford in the 15th minute. Beckford drove in the ball and sent a shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal past Jake Leeker, 1-0. 

Four minutes later, Timber 2 equalized when Harold Hanson sent a back pass to Todd Wharton. Wharton then chest it down and sent it to the top center of the goal past Ben Willis, 1-1. 

In the 39th minute, Beckford sent a pass to Carlos Small where he then took a right footed shot from outside the box but was saved by Leeker. Houston Dynamo loanee, Michael Salazar, reached for the deflection but sent the shot up high and wide to the right. 

In the 42nd minute, Kevin Rodriguez tested Leeker once again when he sent a left-footed shot from the center of the box but sent it too high. One minute later, Salazar sent a headed pass back to Small following a corner. Small placed it to the bottom right corner earning the lead for the Toros, 2-1. 

During the 63rd minute, Salazar sent a through ball to Isidro Martinez where he then shot from the right side of the box sending the ball past the keeper but hit the right post. Nearly three minutes later, Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. sent a shot from a difficult angle on the right side but was saved in the top center of the goal. 

The Toros were looking to score their third goal of the night before the final whistle. Salazar had a right footed shot from the center of the box in the 84th minute but the shot was saved. 

Conor Donovan had one final attempt for RGV FC when following a set piece situation, he headed the ball from the center of the box but sent it high and wide to the right. 

Overall, the Toros ended the night with 15 total shots, 10 on target and 52.6 percent of possession. The squad also won more than 64 percent of duels and averaged 86.2 percent in passing accuracy. Meanwhile, Timbers 2 totaled 12 shots, five on target and had 83.4 percent in passing accuracy. 

Obregon Jr. led the offense with four total shots and three on target. Martinez totaled three shots, two on target and one-second assist along with three key passes. 

Willis ended his night with four saves and three clearances. Donovan totaled five clearances, one tackle and one block. Dynamo loanee, Eric Bird, totaled eight tackles and one interception. 

To see more matchday information, visit https://www.rgvfc.com.

Attendance: 4967

Scoring Summary: RGV FC – Beckford 15’ (Assist by Bird), Small 43’ (Assist by Salazar, Martinez).

T2 – Wharton 19’ (Assist by Hanson).

Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – 

T2 – Hurtado 17’ YC, Ornstil 33’ YC, Hanson 48’ YC, Diz Pe 93’ YC.

T2– Leeker, Smith, Dis Pe, Ornstil, Hanson, Farfan, Ferguson (Duran 88’), Wharton, Sierakowski, Hurtado (Kobayashi 67’), Calixtro.     

Subs: Lyon, Sanchez, Lopez.  

Stats: Shots: 12 Shots on Goal: 5 Saves: 8 Fouls: 14 Corner Kicks: 5 Offsides: 2. 

RGV FC – Willis, Samuels, Adams, Donovan, Coronado, Beckford (Obregon Jr. 45’), Rodriguez (Jackson 80’), Bird, Martinez, Salazar (Cabrera 88’), Small.

Subs: Garza, Chavero, Junqua, Castellanos.

Stats: Shots: 15 Shots on Goal: 10 Saves: 4 Fouls: 6 Corner Kicks: 4 Offsides: 6.

#  SOMOS TOROS #

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (October 5, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (9-15-8, 35 pts.) draw with New Mexico United (10-9-12, 42 pts.) on Saturday night, 1-1, at electric Isotopes Park.  

Although New Mexico dominated in the first half, RGV FC created chances throughout the half. In the 7th minute, Houston Dynamo loanee, Michael Salazar, had an attempt after a back-heel pass from Carlos Small. Salazar shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner going over the crossbar after keeper Cody Mizell deflected out. 

In the 12th minute, Small managed to take advantage of an error from New Mexico. Small took a right footed shot from the center of the box but missed to the left. Following a foul conceded by the Toros, Christopher Wehan took a right-footed direct shot from outside the box but sent it over the crossbar. 

After Kevin Rodriguez was fouled inside the penalty area, Small converted the penalty sending it past Mizell to the top right corner in the 40th minute, 0-1. Nearly four minutes later, the United equalized the match 1-1 after Sam Hamilton headed a cross by Manny Padilla to the bottom left corner past Nico Corti. 

New Mexico had another dangerous attempt when David Estrada headed the ball following a set piece but missed to the left in the 61st minute. Three minutes later, Jesus Enriquez took a long strike when he shot from outside the box but sent it over the top cross-bar. 

Right after, Devon Sandoval took on Corti on a one on one situation but Corti managed to slap the ball and save the shot. In the 72nd minute, Kevaughn Frater took a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but the ball hit the right bottom post and was saved. 

In the 87th minute, Small took a shot at goal from outside the box but was saved in the center of the goal. Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. had an attempt when he sent a direct kick following a foul by New Mexico but hit the top bar in the 89th minute. 

The Toros did not want to end the match with one point. Enriquez took another shot from outside the box but missed to the left side of the goal in the 94th minute. Deshane Beckford had one last attempt when he was at a close range but missed to the left. 

RGV FC ended the night with 12 total shots, three at goal. New Mexico United totaled 13 shots with four on target. 

Conor Donovan and Kyle Adams played a key role tonight on the defensive side. Donovan totaled three tackles, five clearances, and one interception and block. Adams led the squad with eight clearances and two blocks. Corti totaled three saves and one clearance tonight. 

On the attacking side, Small totaled three shots, two on target and one key pass. 

RGV FC continues on the road on Sunday, October 13 at OKC Energy FC. Kickoff will be at 6:00 p.m. CT.

The match will be available on ESPN+ and 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.

Scoring Summary: RGV FC – Small 40’ (PK).

NMU – Hamilton 44’ (Assist by Padilla). 

Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Junqua 26’ YC, Rodriguez 45’+ YC.

NMU – Moar 55’ YC, Muhammad 65’ YC.  

NMU – Mizell, Tetteh, Padilla, Suggs, Schmidt, Soler (Moar 45’), Estrada (Frater 67’), Hamilton, Muhammad, Wehan, Sandoval.    

Subs: Akamatsu, Yearwood, Sampson, Beaury, Bruce.  

Stats: Shots: 13 Shots on Goal: 4 Saves: 2 Fouls: 12 Corner Kicks: 5 Offsides: 3. 

RGV FC – Corti, Donovan, Junqua, Adams, Samuels, Bird, Rodriguez (Beckford 85’), Martinez, Enriquez, Salazar (Obregon Jr. 70’), Small (Jackson 91’).

Subs: Castellanos, Cabrera, Willis, Coronado. 

Stats: Shots: 12 Shots on Goal: 3 Saves: 3 Fouls: 7 Corner Kicks: 2 Offsides: 1.

#  SOMOS TOROS #

EDINBURG, Texas (October 4, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (9-15-7, 34 pts.) hits the road to go up against New Mexico United (10-9-11, 41 pts.) on Saturday, October 5. The matchup is set to kick off at 8:30 P.M. CST on ESPN+.

Having a hard time on the road, the Toros are looking to regroup to earn three points at New Mexico. United is a tough place to play as a visitor with thousands of fans and a much more compacted field. 

RGV FC has conceded 56 goals and scored 45 which 42 of them have been inside the box. Something that United’s defense needs to keep in mind. 

Michael Salazar leads the Toros with 10 goals scored and Carlos Small has scored nine thus far. Key player for RGV FC is Valley native, Isidro Martinez, as he has assisted the squad seven times and also leads with 62 chances created. 

Nico Corti has earned three of the five clean sheets for the Toros with 28 goals conceded. He has totaled 40 saves thus far in the season.

As to many, playing in front of one of the toughest crowds in the USL, the RGV FC squad are more than excited to prove what they are capable of. New Mexico has conceded 53 goals and scored 54. Out of the 54 goals scored, 47 have been made inside the box which entails that the Toros defense needs to remain solid and focused throughout the match. 

Kevaughn Frater is a key player to look out for as he leads the United squad with 14 goals, in addition, he has assisted four times for his team. Another player to focus on is Santi Moar with 11 goals scored and isn’t afraid to take a shot as he leads with 66 shots and 43 chances created. 

Goalkeeper Cody Mizell has had three clean sheets and a total of 78 saves with 51 goals conceded thus far.

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 . 

#  SOMOS TOROS #

EDINBURG, Texas (September 28, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (9-15-7, 34 pts.) defeated Orange County SC (12-9-9, 45 pts.) at H-E-B Park on Saturday night. The Toros snapped OC’ six-game winning streak.  

Darwin Jones snuck into the box in the 7th minute and chipped a ball over Nico Corti to create the first danger shot of the match for Orange County. Luckily for RGV, the ball hit the crossbar and went clear to avoid trailing early. 

The match remained active offensively throughout the first 30 minutes of play for the Toros as they tried to gain their rhythm and test the defense. OC nearly scored once again at the 30-minute mark when Kevin Coleman sent a first touch shot to the center of goal but Corti made a nice heads up save. 

Jesus Enriquez approached the box in the 32nd minute through the left side, sending a shot to test goalkeeper Frederik Due. The shot was deflected to corner to end the threat. 

Kevin Rodriguez took matters into his own hands when he launched into the box, beating the back-line of OC and sneaking a ball past the goalkeeper. With the lightly tapped ball to the right edge of the goal, Rodriguez gave RGV a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute. 

Jones created some danger as Orange County desperately tried to equalize. His shot which was headed to the left end of the goal was deflected by Corti to a corner, but it never posed any true danger at goal. 

Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. made his RGV FC debut in big fashion by scoring a goal after Carlos Small tapped a well assisted ball to him. Small broke down the goalie on the left side of the box and then sent a light pass to Obregon Jr. who sat in the center of the box alone, to shoot in the ball, making it 2-0 in favor of the home team in the 85th minute. 

Rio Grande Valley managed a good second half and kept Orange County at bay to lock in the second home victory in a row. A somewhat frustrated OC side was pushed to their limit in the dying stages of the game when Michael Orozco committed a foul to earn a direct red card. 

The Toros were not settling for the two goals only. In the 94th minute, Enriquez had a dangerous shot from outside the box that was sent to the right side, hitting the bar. Small had another attempt right after when he took a right footed shot from the center of the box, going past the keeper but was saved by the defending line. 

Overall, RGV FC totaled seven shots tonight with three on target. OC totaled 13 shots and two on target. 

Offensively, both Enriquez and Small totaled two shots each. On the defensive side, Conor Donovan totaled five clearances along with two blocks. Houston Dynamo loanee, Sam Junqua, totaled four interceptions and one tackle. Rodriguez totaled three tackles, one clearance, adding one total shot and one on target to goal. 

Next for RGV FC is a road matchup against New Mexico United. Kickoff will be at 8:30 p.m. CT. The match will be available on ESPN+ and 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: 3502

Scoring Summary: RGV FC – Rodriguez 71’ (Assist by Martinez), Obregon Jr. 85’ (Assist by Small).

Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Lemoine 53’ YC, Martinez 88’ YC.

OC – Van Ewijk 54’ YC, Duke 55’ YC, Orozco 92’ RC. 

OC – Due, Amico, Orozco, Kontor, Hume, Duke, Crisostomo (Hashimoto 83’), Ewijk (Vinicius 76’), Coleman (Ramos Godoy 63’), Seaton, Jones.   

Subs: Kayo, Arellano, Cervantes, Alston.  

Stats: Shots: 13 Shots on Goal: 2 Saves: 1 Fouls: 15 Corner Kicks: 10 Offsides: 1. 

RGV FC – Corti, Donovan, Junqua, Adams, Samuels, Lemoine (Obregon Jr. 84’), Bird, Rodriguez (Jackson 92’), Martinez, Enriquez, Salazar (Small 70’).

Subs: Castellanos, Cabrera, Beckford, Willis.

Stats: Shots: 7 Shots on Goal: 3 Saves: 2 Fouls: 10 Corner Kicks: 3 Offsides: 2.

#  SOMOS TOROS #

EDINBURG, Texas (September 27, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (8-15-7, 31 pts.) welcomes Orange County SC (12-8-9, 45 pts) to H-E-B Park on Saturday, September 28. The Western Conference matchup is set to kick off at 7:30 P.M. CST on ESPN+ and Somos El Valle 5.2.

The homestand continues for RGV FC as they look to earn another win at H-E-B Park this season. In their most recent match at home this past Saturday against Real Monarchs, the Toros controlled the match well and earned a 3-1 victory. Overall, RGV holds a 7-5-3 home record, earning them 24 of their 31 total points this season. 

For Orange County, it has been some time since their last loss, which came on August 9 to Tacoma Defiance. Their 6-game win streak will be put to the test this weekend in Edinburg as the highly motivated Toros look to please the home crowd with another victory. OC currently sits in the fourth spot of the Western Conference standings, qualifying them for postseason play. 

Although playoff hopes have nearly ended for RGV FC, they remain focused on earning positive results to close out the 2019 campaign. Second-year player, Jesus Enriquez praised the effort from the team last match; “Most of the game we were being really patient. If there wasn’t a play on one side, we went to the other side. That is how we got the goals. The goals came from the team and no individual player is going to win by themselves.” It seems like this is a strategy that has paid off for the young RGV side, patience and creativity on the pitch combined well to seal a win. 

There are two players to keep an eye on in this match for OC offensively. Michael Seaton, a Jamaican national forward, has scored 12 goals this season while fellow attacker Darwin Jones closely trails with 11 total goals of his own. They combine for 23 of the 49 total goals for the franchise this season. Orange County possesses well, retaining the ball for about 51percent of the game. 

In order to lock in another good result at home, the Toros will need to rely on the dynamic front attack and not trail early. In their last match, they went ahead and never looked back, played patiently and saw plenty of support from their backline. 

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 . 

#  SOMOS TOROS #

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 #

FRESNO, California (September 18, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (7-15-7, 28 pts.) fall on the road to Fresno FC (15-5-8, 53 pts.), 5-0. 

Fresno FC kicked off the match with a goal by Qudus Lawal in the 6th minute after Jaime Chavez gave him a headed pass. Lawal then took a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner, 1-0. 

In the 26th minute, Deshane Beckford was fouled in the penalty area. Carlos Small took the penalty where he failed to capitalize after his shot was saved in the bottom right corner by CJ Cochran. Two minutes later, defender Conor Donovan conceded a foul inside the box giving a penalty to Fresno. 

Emir Alihodzic converted the penalty after sending it to the bottom right corner past Nico Corti in the 30th minute. The Toros had an opportunity in the 34th minute when Houston Dynamo loanee, Eric Bird, sent a right-footed shot from outside the box but missed to the left of the goal. 

In the 44th minute, Jackson sent a pass to Chavez where he then took a shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner burying it past Corti, 3-0. 

The Foxes continued to pressure RGV FC in the second half. In the 61st minute, Chavez earned his brace when he took a shot from the right side sending the ball to the left-back of the net, 4-0. Two minutes later, Lawal also earned his brace following a corner kick where he struck the ball to the top of the goal, 5-0. 

In the 69th minute, the Toros had three back-to-back opportunities following a corner kick. First started off with Dynamo loanee, Michael Salazar, but missed. Bird followed up with an attempt but was blocked. Lastly, Kyle Adams took a left-footed shot from the left side, but his shot was saved in the bottom left corner. 

RGV FC did not give up regardless of the score. Isidro Martinez took a shot from outside the box but was saved in the center of the goal in the 85th minute. During stoppage time, Salazar took a right footed shot from outside the box, but Cochran blocked the shot. In the 93rd minute, Jesus Enriquez attacked the Foxes goal with a dangerous shot from outside the box but was saved in the bottom left corner. 

Overall, the Toros ended the night with 13 total shots, four on target. Fresno totaled 17 shots, seven on target. 

Despite the road loss, defender Robert Castellanos stood out the most totaling nine clearances, five interceptions and gained six possessions. He also won 78.6 percent of duels tonight leading the squad defensively. 

Martinez led the Toros in the offense with four total shots, one on target and two key passes. He distributed 48 total passes, six total cross and contributed two clearances. 

RGV FC returns to H-E-B Park on Saturday, September 21. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will be available on ESPN+ and Somos El Valle 5.2. The first 500 fans will receive a Toros travel mug sponsored by DHR Health.  

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.

Scoring Summary: FRS – Lawal 6’ (Assist by Chavez), Alihodzic 30’ (PK), Chavez 44’ (Assist by Jackson), Chavez 61’ (Assist by Alihodzic), Lawal 63’.

Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Donovan 28’ YC.

FRS – Lawal 69’ YC.   

FRS – Cochran, Ellis-Hayden (Johnson 65’), Del Campo, Cooper, Martin, Daly, Jackson (Casillas 52’), Kurimoto, Alihodzic, Chavez, Lawal (Chaney 75’).   

Subs: Strong, Bustamante, Howard, Caffa. 

Stats: Shots: 17 Shots on Goal: 7 Saves: 4 Fouls: 18 Corner Kicks: 6 Offsides: 6. 

RGV FC –Corti, Junqua, Jackson, Donovan, Castellanos, Cabrera (Salazar 45’), Beckford (Enriquez 58’), Bird, Martinez, Rodriguez, Small (Adams 67’). 

Subs:Mena, Dunwell, Willis, Lemoine.

Stats: Shots: 13 Shots on Goal: 4 Saves: 2 Fouls: 12 Corner Kicks: 3 Offsides: 4.

#  SOMOS TOROS #

FRESNO (September 17, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (7-14-7, 28 pts.) continues their road quest, this time they face Fresno FC (14-5-8, 50 pts) at Chukchansi Park. The Western Conference matchup is set to kick off at 9:30 P.M. CST on ESPN+.

RGV FC continues their short road stretch with a meeting against third-seeded Fresno FC, who is 8-1-4 at home. The late goal surprised the Toros once again in their last match this past Sunday against Sacramento Republic FC, which cost them the crucial point needed to keep playoff hopes alive. The game ended in a 1-2 loss. 

Fresno and RGV last met in the beginning of the season on March 16 at H-E-B Park. That game ended in a 0-2 clean sheet win for the visiting Fresno FC squad. Goalkeeper C.J Cochranhas maintained six clean sheets throughout the season to help his team earn valuable points. 

The attacking power for Fresno is led by team scoring leader Jaime Chaves who has nine goals under his belt thus far in 22 appearances. On the dynamic end, Juan Pablo Caffa has been able to create 52 chances in the attack in his 24 appearances this season. This creates concern for any defense and certainly will be something that the Toros will look to limit on Wednesday. 

Nico Lemoine made his second straight start of the season and did not disappoint once again. He scored the only goal for RGV FC in their last match when he headed the ball in during the early stages of the match. His scoring total now sits at two goals. Look for him to be a key piece in the offense moving forward if he makes an appearance. 

An important factor for the Toros this week will be their ability to limit counter attacks and not get caught off guard, giving up an easy goal. With the late goal creeping in the last match, there is hopes that the defense will tighten up and the backline will dictate the back third tempo to avoid surprises. 

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 . 

#  SOMOS TOROS #