Rio Grande Valley FC (4-3-4, 13 pts.) played LA Galaxy ll (4-4-3, 15 pts.) on Saturday night at H-E-B Park. Los Dos were able to score a late equalizer to escape with a 2-2 draw on the road.
RGV FC was tested early on, resulting in the Galaxy ll attack finding the back of the net at the 15th minute mark. Omar Ontiveros tapped the ball into the lower left side of the goal following a corner kick which from Brian Iloski.
The Toros equalized shortly after when Romilio Hernandez placed a pass into the box and Maalique Foster snuck past the defense and tapped a ball into the top left corner of the goal, stunning Los Dos. The goal came at the 34th minute.
Toros goalkeeper Nico Corti was tested at the 38-minute mark when a direct free kick shot lasered to the bottom right corner of the goal, which he deflected for the save.
Los Dos shot well in the first half, placing three shots on target. The Toros’ only shot on goal attempt of the half resulted in a goal. RGV FC retained possession for 60 percent of the first half.
Michael Salazar brought the crowd to their feet after scoring a goal following some nice footwork to clear the goalkeeper at the 57th minute. Foster provided the precise pass on the play to open up the opportunity to make it 2-1 in favor of RGV FC.
On a breakaway opportunity, Foster crossed the ball into the box for Jesus Enriquez who then sent a one touch shot wide on the right side of the goal. This kind of attacking style remained constant throughout the match for RGV as they looked to pad the lead with quick strike offense.
LA2 was not folding on offense, creating multiple close look chances. Nick DePuy sent a soft header dangerously close to the bottom left corner of the goal but missed in the 85th minute.
In stoppage time at the 92nd minute, Ethan Zubak shocked the home crowd with an equalizing shot to the back of the net, 2-2, after a scramble for the ball with the Toros defense. It was almost a déjà vu occurrence for the Toros as they let a stoppage time equalizer rob them of a three-point performance, instead they had to settle for the lone point at home.
Next for RGV FC is a home matchup against rival San Antonio FC in a Copa Tejas battle. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will be available on ESPN+ and updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @RGVFC or by following #SomosToros. To see more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
Attendance: 5,692
Scoring Summary: RGV FC – M. Foster 34’ (Assist by Hernandez), M. Salazar 57’ (Assist by Foster); LA2 – O. Ontiveros 16’ (Assist by Iloski), E. Zubak 92'
Misconduct Summary: RGV FC – Donovan YC 48’; LA2 – Requejo YC 19’, Vera YC 62’, Schultz YC 69’
LA2 – Vom Steeg, Requejo (Hernandez 75’), DePuy, Hilliard-Arce, Schultz, Ontiveros (Korenuik45’), Tchilao (Hernandez 84’), Vera, Iloski, Williams, Zubak.
Subs: Gallagher, Romero.
Stats: Shots: 9, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 2, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 7, Offsides: 0.
RGV FC – Corti, Donovan, Adams, Duvall, Junqua, Martinez, Hernandez, Cabrera Jr. (Arcila65’), Salazar (Small 76’), Foster (McCue 84’), Enriquez.
Subs: Willis, Samuels, Dunwell, Lemoine.
Stats: Shots: 13, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 2, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 0.
