Toros Fall to Potent SAFC
August 28, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros News Release
EDINBURG, Texas - San Antonio FC (7-0-3) continues to be undefeated as Rio Grande Valley FC (0-7-3) fall 1-3 to SAFC on Friday night at H-E-B Park. Ian Hoffmann made his debut tonight with the Toros while Robert Castellanos scored his second career goal.
In response to the social injustices occurring in our country, both clubs stopped play at the 7-minute mark while holding a moment of silence in resemblance of Jacob Blake and resumed play at the 8:46-minute mark in resemblance of George Floyd.
SAFC opened play after Blake Smith fired a shot from the top left side of the box to the bottom right corner, which narrowly went past a diving Paul Blanchette in the 3rd minute, 0-1. In the 20th minute, Smith sent a cross which connected with Luis Solignac. Solignac then headed the ball to the top center of the goal, 0-2.
RGV FC snapped back following a set piece situation where Christian Lucatero set up Castellanos for his second career goal. Castellanos ripped the ball with his left foot sending the ball to the back of the net, 1-2.
During stoppage time of the second half, Gonzalo Di Renzo took on Blanchette leaving him behind. Di Renzo was left alone in the final third, scoring the final goal of the match, 1-3.
The Toros had two back-to-back opportunities when Garrett McLaughlin was left wide open inside the box grabbing an opportunity sending the ball to goal but unfortunately, it was blocked by San Antonio's defending line. Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. had another attempt following a corner kick where he sent a strike, sending out wide.
Right before heading to halftime, Cristian Parano threatened RGV FC's goal as he sent a left footed shot from outside the box but missed to the top right corner during stoppage time.
Castellanos made the first threat in the second half as he headed the ball but sent too high in the 48th minute. SAFC continued to be dangerous in the attack as Victor Giro had two back-to-back opportunities with a strong left foot.
In the 86th minute Timo Mehlich made an appearance off the bench as he sent a right footed shot from the outside of the box, but Matt Cardone managed to punch it out to corner. During stoppage time Robert Coronado conceded a foul in the penalty area.
Ignacio Bailone sent the shot to the bottom left corner, failing to capitalize as Blanchette managed to save the penalty kick. That marked his first penalty save of the 2020 season, second in his career.
RGV FC totaled 14 shots, four on target while holding a 51.8% possession throughout the game. SAFC totaled 16 shots, six on target while containing 48.2% possession.
Blanchette totaled four saves tonight along with a clearance. Hoffmann led the defensive effort with four tackles and two interceptions. Castellanos also led with three clearances, two interceptions, two blocks and one tackle.
Castellanos and Hoffmann also led with three total shots each and one on target. Coronado and Obregon Jr. hit two shots each.
RGV FC will head to a two-game road trip with first stop at FC Tulsa on Wednesday, September 2. Kickoff is set at 7 p.m. CST. Matchup will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+. To see more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
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Rio Grande Valley FC (0-7-3; 3 pts.) 1-3 San Antonio FC (7-0-3; 16 pts.)
USL Championship 2020 Season - Match 10
Friday - H-E-B Park - Edinburg, Texas
SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1H 2H FT
Rio Grande Valley FC 1 0 1
San Antonio FC 2 1 3
SAFC: Blake Smith (Herivaux) 3
SAFC: Luis Solignac (Smith) 20
RGVFC: Robert Castellanos (Lucatero) 35
SAFC: Gonzalo Di Renzo 93
LINEUPS & STATISTICS
RGV FC: Paul Blanchette, Robert Castellanos, Carter Manley (DeShane Beckford 85), Kyle Adams, Robert Coronado, Isidro Martinez, Ian Hoffmann Garrett McLaughlin, Kembo Kibato (Timo Mehlich 79), Christian Lucatero (Jonathan Jimenez 62), Juan C. Obregon Jr. (Kyle Edwards 86).
Unused substitutes: Ryan Coulter, Diego Rocha, Erik McCue, Kyle Edwards.
Total Shots: 14 Shots on Goal: 4 Fouls Committed: 15 Offside: 3 Corner Kicks: 8 Saves: 4
SAFC: Matt Cardone, Mitchell Taintor, Joshua Yaro, Hunter Gorskie, Zachary Herivaux (Hayden Partain 55), Connor Maloney, Victor Giro, Blake Smith, Luis Solignac, Cristian Parano (Gonzalo Di Renzo91), Jose Gallegos (Ignacio Bailone 73).
Unused substitutes: Leo Torres, Joshua Ramsey, Jose C. Mercado, Santiago Viera.
Total Shots: 16 Shots on Goal: 6 Fouls Committed: 14 Offside: 2 Corner Kicks: 7 Saves: 3
DISCIPLINE
SAFC: Mitchell Taintor (caution; foul) 30
SAFC: Victor Giro (caution; foul) 41
RGVFC: Garrett McLaughlin (caution; foul) 51
SAFC: Zachary Herivaux (caution; foul) 53
RGVFC: Isidro Martinez (caution; foul) 65
SAFC: Joshua Yaro (caution; foul) 68
RGVFC: Ian Hoffman (caution; foul) 80
RGVFC: Robert Coronado (caution; foul) 95
OFFICIALS
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referee 1: Diego Blas
Assistant Referee 2: Francisco Bermudez
Fourth Official: Jacobo Zuniga
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