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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Rising Faces RGV Toros Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

July 30, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Rising returns home to Wild Horse Pass to face Mountain-Division opponent, Rio Grande Valley Toros FC, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Unbeaten at home (6-0-1) the defending Western Conference Champions have outscored opponents 25-4 in Phoenix.

RGV enjoyed a hot start to its season, going 5-1-1, but went 2-2-3 since, last winning on June 30. Despite its recent form, Rising head coach Rick Schantz is not underestimating RGV, which remains second in the Mountain Division with 25 points.

"They're going to be a hard team to beat," Schantz said. "This is probably going to be one of our more difficult games of the season. The Mountain Division is very good. There's a lot of strong teams."

The Toros are managed by former Colombian National Team player, Wilmer Cabrera, who has extensive experience coaching in the MLS for the Houston Dynamo and for the U-17 and U-18 U.S. National Teams. He led the Toros to the club's most successful season in 2015 when it earned a second-place finish in the Western Conference during the regular season.

"Unbelievable team," said Schantz. "Very experienced. Very Latin-style football. [Cabrera]'s one of the best players ever to come and coach in the United States. He's such an experienced coach and manager."

Historically, Rising is unbeaten against the Toros, going 4-0-3 and outscoring RGV, 9-3. In Arizona, Rising is 3-0-0, outscoring RGV, 6-1, but in the only two inter-division matchups against Pacific Division opponents this season, RGV is also unbeaten (2-0-0).

The Texas side downed San Diego, 1-0, on May 6, thanks to a 87th minute strike by Vicente Sanchez. Two weeks ago, the Toros bounced Orange County, the second team in the Pacific-Division standings, 2-0. RGV scored just two minutes into that match on a goal by Juan Azocar, then finished off the contest with a penalty-kick goal converted by Rodrigo Lopez in the 80th minute.

This match will be the final regular-season meeting between RGV and a Pacific Division opponent. With the Mountain and Pacific Divisions destined for a postseason confrontation, Cabrera's side is sure to enter the conversation later this year.

Saturday's battle will decide who has the upper hand, should these two dance in playoffs.

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