Rio Grande Valley FC rallied from a halftime deficit to take a 2-1 victory against Real Monarchs SLC at H-E-B Park on Saturday night.
The Monarchs threatened in the 14th minute from a corner kick on the right as Konrad Plewa had a header saved by Toros goalkeeper Tyler Deric at the back post, while Sebastian Saucedo also forced a good save by Deric 11 minutes later with a curling free kick from 30 yards that went toward the top-left corner. Plewa scored from the ensuing corner, however, as he powered home a header from Saucedo’s delivery that left Deric little chance.
The Monarchs almost doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Maikel Chang hit the left post with a curling finish, but as the second half opened the Toros got out on the front foot as Aldo Quintanilla produced a low save by Monarchs goalkeeper Jake Leeker with a turning shot in the 57th minute.
RGVFC leveled with 19 minutes to go on a low finish from a corner by Quintanilla as he flicked home Todd Wharton’s delivery from the right, and Wharton then gave the hosts the lead seven minutes later with a free kick that found the right corner.
The Toros twice almost added to their lead as Leeker had to make good late saves on Jesus Enriquez and Bryce Marion to keep the Monarchs’ within a goal, but while Real’s Adam Henley had a shot go high in stoppage time the Monarchs were unable to find a response as their road winless streak reached six games.
