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USL San Diego Loyal

San Diego Loyal Allows Late Goal in Loss at RGV FC

May 6, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


Edinburg, Texas - It was a quick turnaround. San Diego Loyal was back on the road after only three days of practice and having to travel in its season opener. There was not much time to make adjustments as it headed to Texas for another primetime match.

This time it was SD Loyal's first trip to the Southeastern tip of the Lone Star State Thursday as it played to a 1-0 loss against Rio Grande Valley FC in a Week 2 non divisional match at H-E-B Park.

The modifications by coach Landon Donovan appeared to have worked. SD Loyal appeared to be heading into its first points of the season as it showed some stability on defense and displayed a bit more fluid brand of an attack against Toros.

But all that didn't matter after second half substitute Vicente Sanchez buried a header into the back of the SD Loyal net late in the USL Championship match. Sanchez, who was out of soccer a few months ago, sent in a goal past Trey Muse in the 87th minute to secure the win for the Toros after what was tightly contested Week 2 match. Muse stood at his goal line after unable to make a play against a wide open Sanchez who scored from near the penalty spot. Sanchez connected on a bending cross by Christian Sorto from left to right.

SD Loyal (0-2-0) defenders looked for answers after the scoring play after showing significant improvement from a loss at Phoenix Rising last week. Donovan made some shifting in the lineup against Toros (2-0-0, six points).

Part of the changes included replacing starting defender Grant Stoneman who was out with a lower body injury, but Donovan had veteran and team captain Sal Zizzo. Newcomer Josh Yaro also appeared to have settled into the center back position next to Zizzo. Donovan also sent in midfielder Alejandro Guido in the First XI this time around.

SD Loyal was able to pressure RGVFC with a handful of dangerous shots, including one that almost tied the game in stoppage time. Elijah Martin sent a header towards goal from the left side and appeared to be going in, but it was headed away at the last moment by a RGVFC defender.

Tumi Moshobane also had a chance on a quick shot in the 70th minute from near the six-yard box but it was saved by Tyler Deric at the goal line. Martin also nearly scored in the 58th when he fired a low shot from left to right looking for the right lower corner but Deric was able to cut it off with his foot to end any danger.

SD Loyal appeared to have scored in the 22nd minute but Cory Hertzog was whistled offsides on the play. He took a pass from the right into the box and tapped it in with his right foot but the goal was annulled.

Muse also had a handful of key saves. He stopped shots by Erik Pimentel and Soto, both with a foot at the last moment. Muse also had to dive to block another shot by Pimentel from about 25 yards out.

Donovan's team will now return to San Diego for another short week of practice before heading back on the road to visit Tacoma Defiance Thursday May 13.

Rio Grande Valley FC 1, SD Loyal 0 SCORING 1-0 87'- Vicente Sanchez (RVG)

LINEUP:

SD Loyal -16. Trey Muse, 3. Elijah Martin, 29. Thomas Vancaeyezeele, 14. Joshua Yaro, 4. Jack Metcalf, 6. Charlie Adams, 17. Collin Martin, 7. Jack Blake, 8. Sal Zizzo (c), 10. Alejandro Guido (62'- 11. Tumi Moshobane), 21. Corey Hertzog (68'- 9. Ben Spencer). Coach: Landon Donovan.

Rio Grande Valley FC: 1. Tyler Deric, Carter Manley, 3. Grant Robinson, 4. Erik Pimentel, 5. Juan David Cabezas (c), 6. James Murphy, 21. Wan Kuzain, 8. Rodrigo Lopez, 20. Christian Sorto, 9. Elvis Amoh (74'- Vicente Sanchez), 24. Alexis Cerritos. Coach: Wilber Cabrera

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