Rio Grande Valley FC Toros and Tacoma Defiance engaged in a tight battle on Opening Night of the 2019 USL Championship Season at Cheney Stadium Friday night which resulted in a 1-0 loss for the Toros.
Rio Grande Valley entered the game exhibiting a full press and managed to unbalance the Defiance defense on several occasions. Toros forward Carlos Small had the first chance in the 4th minute to test Tacoma’s goalkeeper, Trey Muse. Small received a ball from midfielder Camilo Monroy and shot from the left side of the box. Defiance tested the Toros right after when Saad Abdul-Salaam headed the ball to the top center of the goal. The Toros had three back-to-back attempts starting with forward Maalique Foster, Robert Castellanos and Small. Although RGV FC had five shot-on-goal opportunities, they were unable to capitalize. Forward Wilmer A. Cabrera had three attempts on goal one that was missed the top bar in the 23rd minute.
An early attempt on goal resulted successful for Tacoma as forward Alec Diaz put the ball in the back of the net off a deflection from goalkeeper Ben Willis at the 49th minute. Two minutes later, Marlon Vargas had an attempt when he shot from the left side of the box but was too high. In the 53rd minute, Castellanos headed the ball from the center of the box but unfortunately, he missed the attempt to equalize. Seven minutes later, the Toros had four back-to-back attempts by Monroy and Foster. Tacoma took over for the rest of the match as they kept testing the Toros arc but RGV FC did not give in. In the 86th minute, RGV FC Andres Arcila got a cross from Robert Coronado inside the box and shot to the top center of the goal.
With this goal the Defiance was able to pick up their first three points in franchise history. The Toros had eight players debut tonight. Willis ended his first match as a professional with four saves. Small led the Toros with four total shots along with Foster. Kyle Adams ended the night with seven clearances. Rookie Coranado totaled five tackles, four clearances and five interceptions in the defending line.
Scoring Summary: TAC – A. Diaz 49’
Misconduct Summary: TAC – Atencio 68’ (YC), NDow 84’ (YC); RGVFC – Coronado 77’ (YC)
TAC – Trey Muse, Matt Nance, Saad Abdul-Salaam, Jonathan Campbell, Modou NDow, Alex Roldan (Joshua Atencio 67’), Daniel Robles (Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez 89’), Daniel Leyva, Marlon Vargas (Azriel Gonzalez 75’), Alec Diaz, Shandon Hopeau
Subs Not Used: Enrique Montana, Blake Malone, Sam Fowler, Jesse Daley
Stats: Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 2, Fouls: 10, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 2
RGV FC – Ben Willis, Kyle Adams, Robert Coronado, Robert Castellanos, Andrew Samuels, Isidro Martinez, Wilmer Cabrera (Andres Arcila, 66’), Brad Dunwell, Camilo Monroy (Kevin Rodriguez 74’), Maalique Foster, Carlos Small
Subs Not Used: Zach Jackson, Carlos Vivieros, Brandon Morales, David Cabrera, Osmar Chavero
Stats: Shots: 17, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 4, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 7, Offsides: 1
