Rio Grande Valley (2-3-2) defeat Las Vegas Lights (2-4-1), 5-2, at H-E-B Park on Saturday night, marking the biggest win margin the Toros have had this season. The all-time biggest win margin was a 6-goal win at home versus Seattle Sounders FC 2 in 2016.
In the 12th minute, Kyle Adams had an attempt as he headed the ball from a difficult angle from a set piece but missed to the right of the goal. Three minutes later, Las Vegas conceded a penalty when Lucas Scaglia committed a hand ball in the penalty area. Wilmer A. Cabrera Jr. converted the penalty as he sent the ball to the bottom right corner of the goal marking his first career-goal as a 19-year old, 1-0. In the 19th minute, Foster sent a cutback pass to Isidro Martinez and he took a right footed shot from the center of the box sending it to the bottom right corner of the goal past Thomas Olsen, 2-0.
In the 25th minute, Irvin Parra sent a ball to Preston Tabort Etaka but missed to the left side of the goal. In the 34th minute, Junior Sandoval tested Michael Nelson as he headed from the center of the box to the top right corner, but Nelson saved the shot from going in. Nelson got tested once again when Parra headed the ball from the right side of the six-yard box to the bottom left corner in the 42nd minute. Nelson managed to save it with his right hand preventing it from going in.
The Toros entered the second half with confidence after leading 2-0 at the half. As soon as the second half kicked off, Gabe Robinson committed an own goal, 3-0, when Michael Salazar attempted a shot from the right side but missed. Parra fought back when he shot a left footed shot from outside the box, but Nelson saved the shot in the bottom right corner of the goal.
Robinson sent a throw in to Christian Torres where he sent the ball to the back of the top net over Nelson marking the first goal for Las Vegas, 3-1. The Lights gained some confidence with the lone goal. They had three attempts in the 75th minute but the Toros defensive line and Nelson, rejected their opportunities.
Carlos Small came off the bench and sent a through pass to Foster in the 79th minute. Foster took a right footed shot sending the ball to the bottom right corner past Las Vegas defenders and Olsen, 4-1.
The Toros did not stop there. In the 85th minute, Jesus Enriquez sent a through ball following a fast break to Small where he took on the defending line and Olsen then sent it to the bottom left corner marking the fifth goal for RGV FC, 5-1.
Las Vegas did not want to go home with a lone goal. Christian Hernandez sent a cross from a set piece to Samuel Ochoa where he then headed into the left side of the goal past Nelson, 5-2, in stoppage time.
The Toros capped off a great win at H-E-B Park with five goals. Cabrera Jr., Martinez and Foster scored for the first time tonight. Small scored his first goal of the season. RGV FC had a total of eight shots and four on target. Although, they did have a 37.6 possession throughout the match.
In the defensive side, Romilio Hernandez led the Toros with three tackles adding two interceptions. Robert Coronado had three interceptions, two tackles, two clearances and 10 possessions gained. Kyle Adams led the team with four clearances tonight. The Man of the Match tonight was Nelson with six saves tonight.
Attendance: 3,483
Scoring Summary: RGV FC – W. Cabrera 15’ (PK), Martinez 19’ (Assist by Foster), Robinson 46’ (Own Goal), Foster 79’, Small 85’ (Assist by Enriquez); LV – Torres 65’ (Assist by Robinson), Ochoa 91’ (Assist by Hernandez).
Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Foster 74’, Adams 90’; LV – Sandoval 35’, Etaka 63’, Cruz 86’.
LV – Olsen, Garcia-Lopez, Robinson, Torre, Thomas (Hernandez 48’), Scaglia (Ochoa 85’), Torres, Sandoval, Fehr (Cruz 61’), Etaka, Parra.
Subs:Gonzalez, Arguez, Alvarez, Sousa.
Stats: Shots: 20, Shots on Goal: 8, Saves: 0, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 8, Offsides: 0.
RGV FC – Nelson, Coronado, Donovan, Samuels (Mena 65’), Adams, Hernandez, Martinez, A. Cabrera (Castellanos 82’), Salazar (Small 73’), Enriquez, Foster.
Subs: Rodriguez, Dunwell, Garza, Corti.
Stats: Shots: 8, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 6, Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 8.
