Toros Draw Second Straight Match
October 4, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
HARTFORD, Connecticut - Rio Grande Valley FC (9-10-13, 40pts WEST) squared off with Eastern conference side Hartford Athletic (4-23-5, 17pts EAST) on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. CST. The matchup was played as a rescheduled contest after the original date was postponed due to extreme inclement weather in Hartford on September 9, 2023. Francois, Pinzon score one each as Prince Saydee tabs two goals in the 2-2 draw at Hartford Athletic.
The home side jumped ahead early in the contest as a miscommunicated defense left holes inside the box where Prince Saydee found the loose ball and sent a shot into goal to make it 1-0 at the 5-minute mark. Former Toro forward, Kyle Edwards was awarded the assist on the action as he dribbled in from the wing and sent the crossing ball in the box.
Rio Grande Valley wasted no time in regaining momentum as they scored the equalizing goal on an open play try from Christiano Francois at the 7th minute of action, 1-1. Francois sent a hard shot toward goal where Joe Rice attempted the clearance but instead redirected it into goal on a bad cross body attack angle. Jonathan Ricketts was credited an assist on the action as he sent a lobbing pass for the Haitian forward to receive and capitalize on. Christiano picked up goal number three on the season, a good one as the momentum shifted back into the RGV FC roster on the pitch.
Christian Pinzon made it 1-2 in favor of the visiting side as he closed in on a crossing ball into the box sent by Christiano Francois from the left wing; Pinzon took the first touch shot and sent it into the net uncontested to claim the lead for the Toros, Francois picked up his 5th assist of the season on the play.
Hartford was awarded a penalty in the 34th minute as Prince Saydee was allegedly fouled just inside the box, the call was made and produced an opportunity for Saydee to score a brace in the match. On the ensuing try (35') the ball hit the back of the net as Tyler Deric did not guess right to equalize the match at 2-2.
The second half offered minimal effect on the scoresheet as Rio Grande Valley saw three road points slip away, forced to settle for a single point which leaves the playoff line still within reach but the percentage much lower as they pend a losing result from Oakland Roots SC (42 points) against Orange County to keep the 8th place spot within reasonable reach.
A home matchup against top seeded Sacramento Republic is going to be the biggest home match in recent seasons at H-E-B Park as their playoff hopes lay on the line, needing a win and nothing else.
# SOMOS TOROS #
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