EDINBURG, Texas (Saturday, May 1, 2021) – Rio Grande Valley FC (1-0-0) earned first-ever win in a season opener tonight, against New Mexico United (0-1-0) at H-E-B Park. The 1-0 victory gives the Toros the first win against New Mexico in club history.
During the second half, Toros midfielder James Murphy sent a pass to Elvis Amoh where he was able to take a quick turn and take a shot, sending it past the keeper to the bottom left-hand corner 1-0 in the 65th minute, marking his 10th career goal.
The first half was dominated by the Toros as the squad held 53.8 percent possession. New Mexico had a total of five shots, while RGV FC’s goalkeeper Tyler Deric saved two of the shots on target.
The first test for Deric was in the 15th minute as former RGV player Isidro Martinez took a shot straight to center goal, forcing Deric to save the shot. In the 30th minute, New Mexico had a dangerous opportunity inside the box but was controlled after a handball. Deric had an epic save in the 36th minute at the top of the box after Harry Swartz attempted a shot. The Toros forced keeper Alexandros Tabakis to deflect a shot out for a corner kick after Christian Sortotook a right-foot shot outside the box going into the half.
New Mexico went into the second half holding 59.3 percent of the game possession, but the potent Toros attacking side took 10 total shots, three on target which led to the goal.
In the 62nd minute, Alexis Cerritos took a left-footed shot but was deflected out to a corner kick. Eight minutes later, Wan Kuzain sent a left-footed shot from a set-piece to the top left corner of the goal but Tabakis was able to deflect it out.
Uruguayan native Vicente Sanchez came off the bench in the 72nd minute and quickly made an impact on the pitch. Two minutes later, he drove the ball towards the box and sent a left-footed long pass to Sorto where he was able to send a one-touch shot to the top left corner over the crossbar.
Before the final whistle, Baboucarr Njie sent a through ball to Sanchez where he was able to threaten New Mexico but the keeper was able to deflect it out of danger.
The Toros finished the night with 12 total shots, four on target while winning 51.3 percent of the duels faced and having 74.0 passing accuracy rate. New Mexico United totaled 10 shots, two on target while having 78.3 passing accuracy rate.
Kuzain led the squad with three total shots, one on target and a key pass. Amoh totaled two shots, along with Sorto and Sanchez. Grant Robinson had two key passes and led the defensive side with five tackles, four interceptions and a lone clearance. Juan David Cabezas totaled four clearances, two interceptions and a lone block.
RGV FC return to H-E-B Park on Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m. CST as they host Landon Donovan and SD Loyal FC. Tickets can be purchased online at www.www.rgvfc.com/rgvfc.
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Rio Grande Valley FC (1-0-0; 3 pts.) 1-0 New Mexico United (0-1-0; 0 pts.)
USL Championship 2021 Season – Match 1
Saturday, May 1, 2021 – H-E-B Park – Edinburg, Texas
SCORING SUMMARY
|
TEAM |
1H |
2H |
FT |
|
Rio Grande Valley FC |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
New Mexico United |
0 |
0 |
0 |
RGVFC: Elvis Amoh 65’ (Assist by James Murphy)
LINEUPS & STATISTICS
RGV FC: Tyler Deric, Grant Robinson, Carter Manley, Wan Kuzain (Josue Soto 72), Camden Riley, Juan David Cabezas, James Murphy, Christian Sorto (Adrian Vera 81), Rodrigo Lopez, Alexis Cerritos (Vicente Sanchez 72), Elvis Amoh (Baboucarr Njie 82).
Unused substitutes: Colin Miller, Diego Rocha.
Total Shots: 12 Shots on Goal: 4 Fouls Committed: 14 Offside: 2 Corner Kicks: 13 Saves: 2
NM: Alexandros Tabakis, Kalen Ryden, Sam Hamilton (Justin Schmidt 89), Austin Yearwood, Harry Swartz (Daniel Bruce 66), Juan Guzman, Josh Suggs, Amando Moreno, Micheal Azira (Sergio Rivas 45), Devon Sandoval (Ilija Ilic 66), Isidro Martinez (Brian Brown 72).
Unused substitutes: Rashid Tetteh, Philipp Beigl.
Total Shots: 10 Shots on Goal: 2 Fouls Committed: 19 Offside: 2 Corner Kicks: 4 Saves: 3
DISCIPLINE
NM: Juan Guzman YC 7’
NM: Kalen Ryden YC 17’
RGV FC: Camden Riley YC 27’
RGV FC: Grant Robinson YC 29’
RGV FC: Elvis Amoh YC 44’
ATTENDANCE: 2567
OFFICIALS
Referee: Elton Garcia
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Rodman
Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo Ocampo
Fourth Official: Edgar Garcia
# PARA EL VALLE #
