Crucial Must Win Match for RGV FC
September 23, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Rio Grande Valley FC (8-10-11) is set to face Eastern conference side, Indy Eleven
(11-10-9) on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. CST. This will be the second-ever meeting between the sides historically with Indy leading the series 1-0-0 after claiming a win in Edinburg last season. There is one clear picture in this matchup, Rio Grande need a win, no other option is safe enough in this playoff chase.
After holding off a strong Birmingham Legion FC side at H-E-B Park, Wilmer Cabrera and his side grew increasingly confident in their ability to lock in a set of wins in the remaining scheduled matches. It fell as a surprise to everyone but the Toros that a potent, speedy offensive unit like Birmingham Legion could be held scoreless and basically absent in the offensive end in the second half.
Nothing has changes in terms of messaging to the team from Cabrera; "we must play solid defensively and be clinical in finishing to give ourselves a chance" rang often and loudly throughout this campaign and now more than ever that is going to need to be amplified as the margin of error is nearly zero.
Indy Eleven benefit from a win or a draw as they look to better their placement in the East; regardless of result the Indiana side is already in the positive end of the playoff picture, of course a loss would sour their night as they are not looking for any hiccups to end the season.
RGV FC must play a perfect match defensively as they did at home this past week to keep yet another strong attacking side within reach to manage the game well, and in their favor. Taylor Davila is a figure who could emerge as a factor this match as he is responsible for a majority of chances created on the pitch and he will draw plenty of attention from Indy Eleven all afternoon.
Here are the scenarios that help Rio Grande's case in the playoff hunt; a Sacramento Republic FC win is welcomed, Phoenix Rising FC must win against El Paso Locomotive Saturday evening, and a draw between Oakland Roots SC and Monterrey Bay Union is sufficient to boost the Toros' odds prior to Sunday's matchup on the road.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 23, 2023
- Phoenix Rising Extends Unbeaten Run to Seven Games with 1-1 Road Draw in El Paso - Phoenix Rising FC
- Barajas' Brace Lifts Charleston Past Tulsa in 2-1 Hispanic Heritage Night Win - Charleston Battery
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks Dominate Sacramento Republic with a 2-0 Win - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Rising Extends Unbeaten Run to Seven Games with 1-1 Road Draw in El Paso - Phoenix Rising FC
- Rowdies Fall 4-2 to Memphis - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Charleston Battery Get Past FC Tulsa - FC Tulsa
- Republic FC Blanked by Switchbacks FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Set Piece Goals Propel Hounds To Win Over New Mexico - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- LouCity Officially Playoff-Bound with Comeback Win Over Loudoun - Louisville City FC
- Hartford Lose 3-0 to Detroit City FC - Hartford Athletic
- Da Costa's Historic Night Lifts Memphis Over Tampa, Clinches Third Consecutive Playoff Berth - Memphis 901 FC
- Miami Faces Birmingham in Hostile Road Battle - Miami FC
- Crucial Must Win Match for RGV FC - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Oakland Roots Celebrate 'Conoce Tus Raíces' Night as Monterey Comes to Town - Oakland Roots
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
