The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros continue their homestand on Sunday when they take on Austin Bold FC at 7:30 pm CT in a Copa Tejas showdown.
In their last match, RGV FC defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3-0 at H-E-B Park. Carlos Small led the scoring for RGV, adding another brace to his team-high seven goals, while Wilmer Cabrera Jr scored his third goal this season. Goalkeeper Nico Corti recorded his first clean sheet of the season, making three saves during the match.
After signing a short-term contract with the Houston Dynamo for their U.S. Open Cup run on Tuesday, Small will look to continue his hot scoring form for RGV. Small is currently averaging a goal every 66 minutes and is leading the offensive charge for the team following the loss of Michael Salazar to the Houston Dynamo and in the absence of Maalique Foster, who is with Jamaica at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Austin Bold FC are currently on a three-game unbeaten streak in league play, most recently drawing Tacoma Defiance FC 1-1 at home on June 15. The team is 1-4-2 in road matches this season. While Austin Bold FC and RGV FC have yet to face off in regular-season USL play, Austin Bold played RGV’s parent club, the Houston Dynamo, in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, falling 3-2 to the defending Open Cup champions.
Austin Bold FC are led in the attack by former MLS striker Kris Tyrpak and Brazilian forward Kléber, who are tied with four goals. Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, the recipient of the 2017 USL Goalkeeper of the Year, anchors a backline of MLS experienced defenders, including Jermaine Taylor and Demar Phillips. Restrepo is currently ranked in the top ten in the USL Championship for saves and clean sheets, with 34 saves and 4 clean sheets for the Bold.
This is the third Copa Tejas match for RGV FC after a 2-2 draw with El Paso Locomotive FC on March 23 in West Texas and a 3-1 home victory over San Antonio FC on May 25. Austin Bold FC currently have four points in the competition, having defeated San Antonio FC 1-0 at home on March 30 and tied El Paso Locomotive FC 0-0 on April 21 at Bold Stadium.
The match will be streamed live on ESPN+ at 7:30 pm CT.
