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USL Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

Match Preview: Toros Open at Home

March 11, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release


EDINBURG, Texas - The 2022 USL Championship season kicks off for Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. CST at H-E-B Park as they host Oakland Roots SC. This marks the first ever meeting between the sides since Oakland Roots SC joined the USL Championship. The matchup will be live nationally on ESPN+ and locally at Somos el Valle channel 5.3, cable 1241.

The home opener is powered by Reliant with the first 1,000 fans receiving a FREE Reliant Replica Jersey T-shirt. Live music, food and interactive stations will be available to all fans in attendance.

RGV FC: Sporting Director and Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera along with his technical staff have been quietly building their roster leading up to the season opener matchup. The 2022 roster sees the return of familiar and highly experienced players such as Erik Pimentel, Juan David Cabezas, Frank Lopez and Tyler Deric, all who made a great impact on the field during the 2021 campaign which saw the Toros qualify to the Western Conference Semifinal round of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs, a historic feat for the club.

RGV FC composed a well-balanced roster in the preseason, bringing fresh faces to the club who will make a quick impact on the pitch. Newly acquired defenders Stefan Mueller and Wahab Ackwei will help the veteran back line control the pace and limit opponent chances. The midfield will be under solid leadership as Brownsville, TX native Isidro Martinez returns to the club after a stint at New Mexico United during the 2021 USL Championship season. Martinez brings experience and the ability to open the field for the attacking third and can control the mid sector well. Up front there is a mix of speed and agility with returner Frank Lopez leading the attack. Alongside Lopez, there are new signees who are hungry to make their mark. Duilio Herrera, a 17-year-old USL Academy signing, is shifty and dangerous inside the box with high expectations. Ricky Ruiz is a player with dynamic playstyle who spent the past season at USL League One club Chattanooga Redwolves SC. Look for various chances created up front and a spread field.

The Toros look to build on the success they had in 2021 as they open USL Championship League play on Saturday night in front of their home crowd.

Oakland Roots SC: The West Coast side comes to "El Valle" with hopes of challenging the newly structured lineup of RGV FC. The club is set to start their second season at the USL Championship level. In 2021 Oakland Roots made their USL Championship debut in high fashion, qualifying to the Western Conference Semifinals where they ended their run after falling short in penalties against Orange County SC (5-6).

Jesus "Chuy" Enriquez is an explosive player who can cause danger to the Rio Grande back line. Enriquez is all too familiar with the playing conditions at H-E-B Park having played with RGV FC in the past while under the direction of Gerson Echeverry, who remains at Rio Grande now as the Scouting Director and Assistant Coach.

Defensively, the Roots look to their veteran acquisition Alejandro Fuenmayor to use his experience in directing the back line against a promising RGV FC attack. The Venezuelan national is no stranger to Wilmer Cabrera, having played under his direction at Houston Dynamo of the MLS.

RGV FC vs Oakland Roots SC

H-E-B Park - Edinburg, Texas

Saturday, March 12 - 7:30 p.m. CST (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

STREAMING: ESPN+ & Somos el Valle channel 5.3, cable 1241

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