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USL San Diego Loyal

SD Loyal Travels for Second Match to Face Rio Grande Valley FC for First Time

May 5, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


SD Loyal travels to the Lone Star State to face Rio Grande FC in battle between Western Conference teams on national television broadcast on ESPN Deportes and locally on Fox 5 San Diego.

WHAT: The season opener is done and gone for SD Loyal but four-road game stretch to the start of the 2021 season continues. Manager Landon Donovan's team now heads to Edinburg, Texas to visit Rio Grande Valley FC. It is non-division match that could test SD Loyal's strengths on the road.

WHO:

- SD Loyal

- Rio Grande Valley FC

WHEN:

Thursday, May 6

5 p.m. PT

WHERE:

H-E-B Park

1616 S. Raul Longoria Rd. #9169

Edinburg, Texas

MATCH PREVIEW:

SD Loyal is coming off a disappointing loss at Phoenix Rising FC in its season opener last week. Manager Landon Donovan took responsibility for his players not being prepared but vowed that his squad would be ready for its second-consecutive road match. Part of the needed improvements will be a better defensive effort. Grant Stoneman went down early against Phoenix Rising FC with a knee injury, forcing Donovan to make unexpected adjustments prior to halftime. It will be interesting to see how Donovan adjusts his backline if Stoneman can't go against the Toros. He has option to work with Martin and others. Donovan also said he is hoping to get midfielder Alejandro Guido in the starting lineup if he's back to 100-percent health as he has been working on a leg injury through the last few weeks of the preseason.

SD Loyal is facing a team it has not seen before. RGV FC is coming off a 1-0 win against New Mexico United last week with a goal by Elvis Amoh. The Texas side started the season with a new but familiar head coach in Wilber Cabrera, who had a stint with the club in its inaugural season in 2016. Cabrera's team added some fire power this offseason by signing midfielders Rodrigo Lopez, Wan Kuzain and Adrian Vera. Lopez is a veteran playmaker who can play different roles at midfield and create nice combinations with the rest of the midfield. Kuzain is dangerous with his set pieces. Newcomer Tyler Deric had a shutout against New Mexico at goalkeeper. He brings MLS experience from his days with the Houston Dynamo.

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