USL Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

RGV FC Awaits Home Showdown with Austin Bold FC

June 21, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release


EDINBURG, Texas - Rio Grande Valley FC (5-6-4, 19 pts.) is prepared to take on their opponent Austin Bold FC (5-5-5, 20 pts.) as the Copa Tejas resumes. The Texas showdown will be on Sunday, June 23 at H-E-B Park (Tickets) and is set to kickoff at 7:30 P.M. CST on ESPN+ and locally on Somos El Valle 5.2.

Sunday marks the first official meeting of the 2019 USL Championship season between both teams. RGV FC is coming off of a shutout win, 3-0, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and is eager to continue earning positive results. Historically, the only match played between the sides was played out in the preseason when Austin payed a visit to the Toros at H-E-B Park for a friendly on February 23, 2019. The result of that game was a 3-1 victory in favor of RGV FC.

The Copa Tejas was introduced this season after the addition of two more Texas based teams to the USL Championship league, Austin Bold and El Paso Locomotive FC. Copa Tejas was formed by supporter groups of San Antonio FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, Austin Bold FC and RGV FC. The award will be given at the end of the 2019 USL Championship regular season to the Texas team with the best head-to-head record amongst the four clubs. RGV FC currently holds a 1-0-1 record in the competition, with a draw against the Locomotive and a victory over SAFC.

The Bold has accumulated 20 points behind five wins and five draws so far, something to look out for as they look potent on the attack. Three players split the goal scoring leader title thus far; Kris Tyrpak, Kleber, and Andre Lima all have four goals apiece and look to unbalance the Toros defensive lines. Overall possession, the Bold is sitting at 48 percent throughout each match, an average which can be concerning when trying to attack a team like Austin who keeps the ball and scores well.

RGV FC has not missed a beat out front and as predicted, has seen players step up in the absences of international call-up, Maalique Foster, and Houston Dynamo signee, Michael Salazar, both whom contributed largely to the attack for Gerson Echeverry. Carlos Small is one of those figures who has stepped up and in his second season with the Toros is making a difference as a goal scorer, his total sits at seven goals already and he has potential to quickly grow that number especially after scoring back-to-back braces.

After earning a clean sheet and looking sound defensively, the Toros are confident of their performance ability at home as the season continues to progress. Striking early and managing the game is one of the strategies that Echeverry's side will have to employ to avoid trailing a team that can surprise and take a lead at any moment. Echeverry is behind Wilmer Cabrera (2016), 14, for most wins in a single season.

Check out the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 21, 2019


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