Rio Grande Valley (0-2-0) fell to Fresno FC (1-0-1) in their home opener 2-0 on Saturday night. Houston Dynamo defender Chris Duvall played 90 minutes in a rehab start, and fellow defender Sam Junqua made his professional debut starting for the Toros.
The Foxes struck very early with a goal in the 2nd minute. Jackson passed to Arun Basuljevic, who took a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner. Although Fresno had the lead, RGV FC had three consecutive shots that weren’t able to hit the back of the net.
In the 18th minute, forward Carlos Small had an attempt from the left side of the box but missed up high and wide. Defender Robert Castellanos received a ball from Maalique Foster following a set piece in the 23rd minute. Castellanos' header was missed on the right side of the goal.
RGV FC didn’t give up however; Foster had two dangerous attempts that were missed towards the end of the first half. Andres Cabrera had a header in the center of the box but was too high. Fresno attacked the last minutes of the half with three back-to-back shots that were blocked by the Toros defending line.
Fresno once again began the second half attacking with a header from Jemal Johnson in the 52nd minute that was saved by RGV FC goalkeeper Nico Corti. Jaime Chavez had a right footed shot from the right side of the box that was saved by Corti. Camilo Monroy attacked Fresno’s goal with a right footed shot from outside the box but unfortunately, it went up high and wide.
In the 60th minute, Basuljevic put away his second goal of the match for the Foxes. Basuljevic received a ball from Juan Pablo Caffa, controlled the ball and hit a right footed shot to the bottom left corner going passed Corti. Ramon del Campo conceded a foul in the penalty area in the 66th minute. Foster took the penalty but hit the right post.
In the 68th minute, Chavez heads the ball but the Toros defending line rejected. Two minutes later, Johnson received a headed pass and shot but hit the cross bar. Duvall received a pass from Isidro Martinez and took a right footed shot from outside the box but unfortunately, it went up too high. The last attempt of the match was by Martinez who shot from outside the box but was blocked.
The Toros ended the night with a total of 15 shots, five blocked shots, and an 85.7% passing accuracy. Fresno totaled 11 shots, four shots on target and four blocked shots. Foster led the Toros with four total shots, one on target and three chances created. Cabrera also had three chances created. Defender Kyle Adams had a total of 91 passes with an 89.7% passing accuracy.
Attendance: 4,460
Scoring Summary: FRE – A. Basuljevic 2’, 60’
Misconduct Summary: FRE- J. Chaves 13’, Z. Ellis-Hayden 22’, S. Moses 33’: RGV- A. Arcilia 83’
FRE – C.J Cochran, Alex Cooper, Zachary Ellis-Hayden, Ramon Martin Del Campo, Mickey Daly, Arun Basuljevic (Diego Casillas 88’), Seth Moses, Juan Pablo Caffa, Jemal Johnson, Jackson (Elijah Martin 80’), Jaime Chavez (Qudus Lawal 80’)
Subs Not Used: Christian Chaney, Sam Strong, Sam Howard
RGV FC – Nico Corti, Kyle Adams, Robert Castellanos, Sam Junqua, Chris Duvall, Isidro Martinez, Wilmer Cabrera (Andres Arcilia 45’), Brad Dunwell, Camilo Monroy (Jesus Enriquez 69’), Maalique Foster, Carlos Small (Michael Salazar 60’).
Subs Not Used: Ben Willis, Andrew Samuels, Romilio Hernandez, Kevin Rodriguez
