The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros defeated San Antonio FC by a score of 1-0 in the South Texas Derby on Saturday night. Jose Escalante’s goal in the first half was enough to seal the win for the Toros.
Justin Bilyeu assisted Jose Escalante in the 17th minute. After bringing the ball down with his chest, Bilyeu passed the ball to Escalante down the left flank. Escalante scored with a cheeky shot over San Antonio goalkeeper Diego Restrepo from the left side, looping it to the far post. San Antonio was then left with 10 men three minutes later. Escalante fouled San Antonio Ben Newnam, but a kick from Newnam to the back of the head of Escalante after the foul earned him the red card.
Calle Brown was impressive on the night and made an impact from the start. In the 25th minute, Brown tipped a Greg Cochrane cross that was creeping dangerously towards goal. On the following corner kick, Brown denied Cesar Elizondo’s header from finding the back of the net. Kyle Murphy had an opportunity to double the RGV lead right before half, but SAFC defender Sebastian Ibeagha was able to put a foot on the shot and send it away from their goal.
Elizondo had a dangerous header from a corner kick once again in the 54th minute. Robert Casner headed his header out at the goal line. Two minutes later, Elizondo once again created trouble for the Toros defense. After collecting a rebound, Elizondo dribbled through the RGV defense and took a shot. Brown blocked his shot to keep the Toros ahead.
Brown continued to deny Elizondo as the match went on. Elizondo tried his luck from right outside of the penalty box, and was denied by Calle Brown’s diving efforts. Michael Reed’s shot from the rebound hit a Toros defender.
The Toros almost doubled their lead in the 69th minute. Ruben Luna passed the ball to Casner on the left side of the penalty box. San Antonio FC's Restrepo sent Casner’s shot over the crossbar as the ball was going toward the upper left corner of the goal. A good run in the 79th minute left Casner one-on-one with Restrepo. Casner collected his rebound after his shot was blocked and dribbled past Restrepo. Ibeagha cleared the the ball away right on the goal line.
In the 82nd minute, Elizondo headed a free kick towards goal. Calle Brown once again denied San Antonio from grabbing the equalizer and kept his clean sheet alive. Brown ended the night with five saves. The Toros will host Swope Park Rangers next on September 30.
