HERRIMAN, Utah (June 8, 2019) – Rio Grande Valley FC (4-6-4, 16 pts.) fall to Real Monarchs SLC (4-6-3, 15 pts.), 3-5, on Saturday night at Zions Bank Stadium. Carlos Smallearns his first brace with the Toros.
The Monarchs opened the match with a goal by Douglas Martinez in the 13th minute. Martinez received the ball doing a one-touch as he took on goalkeeper Michael Nelsonand chipped it over to the back of the net. In the 21st minute, Martinez sent a corner kick shot over to Josh Heard where he then tapped it in going to the opposite side of Nelson marking the second goal of the match.
Immediately after, Maikel Chang sent a left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner getting a 0-3 lead. The Toros squad attempted to adjust and connect leading to the half but Nico Lemoineand Wilmer Cabrera’sattempts weren’t enough to gain confidence.
RGV FC came into the half more confident looking to make some damage. In the 49th minute, Lemoine had an attempt from outside the box but missed out wide. Jesus Enriquezhad a lethal attempt at goal when he drove into the box and shot but goalkeeper Andrew Putna managed to chest it out for a corner in the 57th minute.
The Toros didn’t wait too long to score a goal. Following a corner in the 60th minute, Robert Coronadosent a cross to Michael Salazarwhere he head the ball to the top left corner marking the first goal for RGV FC, 1-3.
As the Toros gained momentum, Martinez gets a brace after receiving a through ball from Chang where he then sent it to the bottom right corner past Nelson, 1-4, in the 76th minute. In the 82nd minute, Nelson stopped a left footed shot by Mastanabal Kacher.
RGV FC answered back following a set piece from outside the box. Isidro Martinezsent the ball inside the box finding Carlos Small. Small then heads the ball to the bottom left corner marking the second goal for the Toros, 2-4.
The Monarchs stopped the momentum that the Toros had gained with both goals when Noah Powder took a left footed shot from a free kick sending it to the top right corner, not giving Nelson a chance to save, 2-5, in the 88th minute.
In stoppage time, Lionel Abate Etoundi conceded a foul outside the box. Following the set piece, the ball was played inside the box to Small where he sent a right footed shot to the bottom right corner past Putna, 3-5.
Although Nelson gave up five goals, he ended the night with four saves where he faced several attacking confrontations. Sergio Menaled the defensive side with five clearances including one tackle. Martinez totaled four tackles, three interceptions, one assist and an 80.8 percent in passing accuracy.
Small led the attacking Toros with four total shots and three on target which assisted in his brace. Salazar totaled two shots and a lone goal. Lemoine contributed with three total shots and a 90.9 percent in passing accuracy.
Overall, RGV FC totaled 13 shots and five on target. The Monarchs totaled 21 shots and nine on target. Despite the final score, the Toros held 63.8 percent of possession in the second half.
The Toros return to H-E-B Park on Saturday, June 15 as they host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will be available on ESPN+ and updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @RGVFC or by following #SomosToros. To see more matchday information, visit https://www.rgvfc.com.
Scoring Summary: RGV FC– Salazar 60’ (Assist by Coronado), Small 83’ (Assist by Martinez), Small 90+3’;
SLC– Martinez 13’ (Assist by Avila), Heard 21’ (Assist by Martinez), Chang 22’ (Assist by Heard), Martinez 76’ (Assist by Chang), Powder 88’.
Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Enriquez 64’ YC;
SLC – Powder 48’ YC, Martinez 62’ YC, Delentz 66’ YC.
SLC – Putna, Powder, Plewa, Jasso (Delentz 45’), Ryden, Avila, Portillo, Heard, Kacher (Coffee 84’), Chang, Martinez (A. Etoundi 84’).
Subs: Ruiz, Peña, Finney, German.
Stats: Shots: 21, Shots on Goal: 9, Saves: 2, Fouls: 24, Corner Kicks: 6, Offsides: 1.
RGV FC – Nelson, Castellanos, Samuels, Mena (Coronado 38’), Donovan, W. Cabrera (Small 74’), Enriquez, Lemoine (Monroy 68’), Martinez, Hernandez, Salazar.
Subs: Corti, Garza, Adams, Dunwell.
Stats: Shots: 13, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 4, Fouls: 8, Corner Kicks: 7, Offsides: 3.
# SOMOS TOROS #
