RGV FC on Brink of Elimination with Loss Result
October 7, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
EDINBURG, Texas - Rio Grande Valley FC (9-11-13, 40pts) hosted Western conference top seed Sacramento Republic FC (17-6-10, 58pts) on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. CST in a do or die match for the Toros. Republic FC managed to climb back into the match and steal a result as they dropped RGV FC 2-3 at their own home, virtually eliminating them from postseason contention.
Frank Lopez opened the score sheet early at the 10th minute as he received a lobbed pass just at the top of the box from fellow Cuban, Frank Nodarse who launched it from near midfield. Danny Vititello challenged the approach but was chipped, leaving the goal empty and slow bouncing ball entering to make it 1-0 in favor of RGV FC. This marked Lopez' fifth goal of the campaign and Nodarse's third assist.
Tyler Deric was forced to make a save at the line at the 23 minute mark as Juan Herrera attempted a direct header shot at goal near the left post, the diving ground save ended the danger, 1-0.
Russel Cicerone stole one back for Sacramento Republic as he controlled a lobbed ball well and created space at the top of the box to take a shot which deflected off the left post, and in, past Tyler Deric to make it 1-1 all at the 36-minute mark.
Alex Monis attempted a volley shot from outside the box and landed it on target, but Vitiello was there to make the fully extended diving save to corner. On the ensuing corner kick try, Michael Knapp found space in traffic and sent a rifling shot into the net uncontested to reclaim the lead for the Toros, 2-1 at the 44th minute. The goal marked his first of the season and the assist was Taylor Davila's sixth on the year.
Just two minutes later, in first half stoppage time, Luis Rodrigues elevated in the box to receive a cross and head it into the net, leaving Deric with no option at stopping the shot as it was across his body, 2-2 at the 45th minute.
In second half action, Luther Archimede was fresh off the bench when he found himself with plenty of space on the right side of the box, onside, and he misdirected Tyler Deric to easily score the third goal of the match for Republic FC, making it 2-3 in their favor at the 69-minute mark.
Frank Lopez tested from outside the box with a hard direct shot at goal but Danny Vitiello was there to make the outstanding diving save to clear the danger, 2-3 at the 74th minute.
Rio Grande Valley were unable to climb back into the match despite shooting eight on target overall on the night, leaving a minimal opportunity at qualifying to the postseason as they depend on losing results from El Paso, Oakland, New Mexico and Monterrey Bay.
El Paso Locomotive lost to Memphis 901 FC, 4-0 on Saturday evening and Oakland Roots SC were trailing 4-1 at the half against San Diego Loyal, both very welcome results as RGV FC will be watching closely all night and into tomorrow evening awaiting outcomes from New Mexico United and Monterrey Bay. Should any of the named clubs earn at least one point, the playoff line would be numerically out of reach for the Toros with only 43 possible points left to gain.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 7, 2023
- San Antonio FC Falls 0-1 at Orange County SC - San Antonio FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Edge Rio Grande Valley FC, 3-2 - Sacramento Republic FC
- OCSC Clinches Home Playoff Game with Win Over San Antonio FC - Orange County SC
- Victory at Tampa Bay Clinches Players' Shield - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Goals from Henriquez Foster and Williams Power Switchbacks FC to Three Points in Las Vegas - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Rising Falls for First Time in Nine Games, 2-1 to New Mexico - Phoenix Rising FC
- RGV FC on Brink of Elimination with Loss Result - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Rowdies Lose Out 2-0 To Pittsburgh - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Oakland's Winless Streak Reaches Eight Following Loss in San Diego - Oakland Roots
- FC Tulsa Edged, 1-2, by Indy Eleven - FC Tulsa
- Oakland's Winless Streak Reaches Eight Following Loss in San Diego - Oakland Roots
- Soccer in Summerlin Starts with Lights' Taking on Colorado Springs - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Clutch! New Mexico United Beats Phoenix Rising FC to Move Above the Playoff Line - New Mexico United
- LouCity Draws Hartford Athletic as Playoff Race Continues - Louisville City FC
- Playoffs - San Diego Loyal
- Riverhounds Win USL Players Shield with Victory at Tampa Bay - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Rice Backs Hartford in 1-1 Draw with Louisville - Hartford Athletic
- Memphis 901 FC Handles El Paso Locomotive 4-0 in Regular Season Home Finale - Memphis 901 FC
- Battery Fall to Miami 1-2, Sold-Out Crowd at Patriots Point - Charleston Battery
- 2023 USL Championship Playoffs Clinching Scenarios - October 7-8 - USL
- Monterey Bay Travels to Birmingham to Face Legion FC in Fixture with Playoff Implications Abound - Monterey Bay FC
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.
