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USL Fresno FC

Fresno FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Preview

September 18, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Fresno FC News Release


2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP: WEEK 29

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

FRESNO FC vs. RGVFC TOROS

CHUKCHANSI PARK

FRESNO, CALIF.

7:30 P.M. PT KICKOFF

TV: THISTV 26.2 | RADIO: ESPN DEPORTES 1600 AM | STREAM: ESPN+

FRESNO FC MATCH NOTES | RGVFC TOROS MATCH NOTES | USL MATCH CENTER

MATCH PREVIEW

Los Zorros take on the Toros of Rio Grande Valley FC in a midweek clash at Chukchansi Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Fresno FC (14-5-8) will aim to bounceback from a 3-1 loss at Las Vegas Lights in Week 28 and take three points against a Toros side it has already beat once this season. Fresno won 2-0 in Week 2 of the regular season, and a win Wednesday will decrease the club's "magic number" to three points, with the possibility of cementing their place in the playoffs as soon as Saturday. However, to get there, they'll need to silence a Toros side that is eager to break a three-game losing streak. It'll be a tough test for RGVFC, who struggle on the road (1-9-4) and for its second road win of the season and first after three consecutive losses. RGV most recently gave a scare to Sacramento Republic FC, where the Toros grabbed an early 1-0 lead before falling 2-1 at Papa Murphy's Park on Sunday. The Toros feature two scorers at nine apiece in Michael Salazar and Carlos Small, with midfielder Isidro Martinez leading the distribution with club-best marks in assists (6) and chances created (58). Martinez also has been RGV's most reliable performer, appearing in 28 matches for 2,342 minutes played - the most among his teammates.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

1-1-1 all-time

Fresno FC won the previous meeting, taking a 2-0 result on March 16, 2019 at H-E-B Park.

HE SAID IT

HEAD COACH ADAM SMITH

On #FRSvRGV

"This is a must-win game. We're going to be aggressive. We're going to come at them, and we're going to smother them. We're not going to allow them to breathe. We need to dominate this game. That's what I want to do. We want to let the fans know that we are the home team and we need them to get behind us now more than ever. This is a big week going in. The guys have done extremely well and we want to keep that home streak intact.

On the club's defensive record

"While we have a good defensive record, we haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games. That's not good and that's something we must stop and I want the rock to stop tomorrow."

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