IRVINE, Calif. (August 26, 2018) – After a grueling end to RGVFC’s midweek draw to the LA Galaxy II, the team was looking to gain some more points playing against Orange County Soccer Club for the final time this season in Irvine, California.
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros win at Orange County SC
Starting XI
RGVFC: Tyler Deric, Kai Greene, Conor Donovan, Sheldon Sullivan, Kyle Adams, Matias Zaldivar, Nicolas Perea(C), David Cabrera, Jorginho James, Carlos Small, Jordan Jones.
OCSC: Andre Rawls, Joe Amico, Noah Powder, Thomas Joel-Nielson, Jos Hooiveld, Aodhan Quinn, Mark Segbers, Koji Hashimoto, Thomas Enevoldsen, Mats Bjurman, Michael Seaton
Once the whistle blew to start the match on a crisp California night, the Toros had to chase Orange County around the pitch, yet were able to win key plays in the first half. In the 14th minute, Orange county conceded a foul that gave the Toros a chance to score. Nicolas Perea sets it to Carlos Small who would miss on that free kick keeping the match locked at 0-0.
Halfway through the first half Orange County kept giving the Toros a chance at goal by conceding close fouls but none were able to fall in the back of the net.
Then late in the first half at minute 30 the Toros scored a goal. Matias Zaldivar won a challenge on Orange County’s half of the pitch and opened up his right hip to strike it right in the far right side of the goal beating the Andre Rawls to go up 1-0.
Moments later Orange County would try and tie it up but the Toros goalkeeper Tyler Deric would end up being too much for them in the first half.
In the 42nd minute, the lone scorer of the match Zaldivar would see the end of his night, getting subbed off of the pitch due to injury.
Right before halftime, David Cabrera won a free kick right outside of the box. Then Small took it, kicking the ball low by the wall where Rawls couldn’t see the ball leading it into the back of the net.
When the match started back up for the second half it ended up being more of Orange County. The team tried to find scoring opportunities but were never able to put anything in the back of the net thanks to the Toros defense and keeper Deric.
The Toros had players that were forced to get subbed off which forced them to play defensively early in the second half making the defense and the keeper the stars of the night.
When the final whistle blew the final score would be OCSC 0 RGVFC 2 giving the Toros the win and their first road victory of the season.
The Toros won their fourth game of the season putting their record at 4-9-12 while Orange County fall to 14-7-5.
The next game for the Toros will be this Wednesday at H-E-B park where they will face their south Texas rivals Sanantonio FC who are currently sitting in tenth place in the Western Conference.
