Toros Face Hartford Athletic in Rescheduled Bout
October 3, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
HARTFORD, Connecticut - Rio Grande Valley FC (9-10-12, 39pts) is set to face Hartford Athletic (4-23-4, 16pts) on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. CST. This matchup is being played as a rescheduled contest after the original date was postponed due to extreme inclement weather in Hartford on September 9, 2023.
The good news here is, this is an extra match in the final two weeks of regular season competition for the Toros, giving them an opportunity to earn three pivotal points that can catapult them above the playoff line...with a bit of help.
A win against Hartford Athletic on Wednesday evening by RGV FC paired with a loss by Oakland Roots SC on the road against Orange County SC earns the Toros a shot at an eighth-place spot, with one extra game in hand, as they own the head-to-head tie breaker after going 1-0-1 in the season series against Roots SC.
That is the positive outlook on things, as RGV FC is still very realistically tabbed as less than 30% probability of reaching the playoffs by the league calculations and soccer stat gurus. One thing that both have learned in recent years is that you never count the Toros out, and this year's side is determined to prove that true once again as they showed just how hard they will battle for all 90+ minutes of any match.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks hit the Toros with a huge momentum shift late in the match (68th minute) after a penalty was awarded and converted to take the 1-0 lead via Romario Williams right footed shot. Rio Grande Valley regrouped and held off several close calls from the Switchbacks to set themselves up for a 98th minute stoppage time game saver from Taylor Davila who saw a wide-open shooting lane and did not waste the opportunity, sending RGV FC into a frenzy and the home crowd very silent to take back one point.
Frank Lopez, who had been the only offensive producer in a couple of matches, is suspended due to a red card issued in Colorado Springs, if this stands after league review. His absence could see Christiano Francois rejoin the starting lineup on the wings or Juan Galindrez paired up with Alex Monis as point strikers. Wilmer Cabrera has established a "next man up" approach and he expects everyone in his eligible roster to step up when needed, so there should be no doubt that everyone is ready when called upon, in any position.
Hartford Athletic have suffered five straight losses and are desperately looking to end the season in good shape, do they have enough firepower left to dismantle the Toros defensive unit? Tyler Deric will likely lead the pack in the defensive third while the team's Newcomer of the Year candidate for RGV FC, Taylor Davila will steadily guide the offensive unit from the midpoint onward in search of a key victory.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 3, 2023
- Academy Check-In: U-15s, U-17s Go Unbeaten vs. Seattle Sounders FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Everything You Need to Know Before Orange County SC Faces Oakland on California Classic Night - Orange County SC
- Oakland Roots Head to Southern California Starting with Orange County SC - Oakland Roots
- Dikwa Notches Another Weekly Honor - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Romario Williams Named to Team of the Week for Week 30 - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Ronaldo Damus Hat Trick Earns USL Championship Player of the Week Honors - San Diego Loyal
- Republic FC Forward Keko Earns 4th Selection to USL Championship Team of the Week - Sacramento Republic FC
- Rowdies Connor Antley, Connor Sparrow Earn Team of the Week Honors - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- San Diego Loyal SC's Ronaldo Damus voted Player of the Week after first Championship hat trick - USL
- Detroit City FC to Field PASL Team in 2024, Expanding Footprint in Women's Soccer - Detroit City FC
- Hartford Host Rio Grande Valley in Penultimate Home Match of 2023 - Hartford Athletic
- Toros Face Hartford Athletic in Rescheduled Bout - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
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.
