All Toros, No Bull: RGVFC bloodied and bottled up in loss to Bold FC

After a big win last week, RGVFC struggled to find themselves in a 1-0 loss to Austin Bold FC on Sunday.

RGVFC could not keep the momentum going after their win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last weekend. They were defeated 1-0 by Austin Bold FC on Sunday in a physical, frustrating fixture at H-E-B Park.

RGVFC Toros (5-7-4)

After a three-goal second half against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, the Toros did not have much going in the attack against Austin Bold FC. Finishing with only seven total shots, two on target, things just weren’t clicking in the final third, often a bad decision or poor touch ending the attack.

The lone goal of the match came on a pair of miscues from Robert Coronado. Coronado tried to dribble out of the box rather than pass the ball or clear it. He was dispossessed and appealed for a foul while laying down. Corti deflected the first ball towards the goal, but it deflected off the Austin player and past the second-year keeper. These plays happen, but it does sting a bit more as the lone goal. Coronado tweeted, and deleted, that the loss was on him. Two things on that: One, it was a mistake, but it was not the only play that impacted the match. Secondly, that’s a veteran move from the rookie. He has performed very well this season and owning up to a mistake like that is big time.

Bold FC certainly used some “time management” tactics down the stretch to keep the Toros from scoring an equalizer. That’s an unfortunate part of the game, especially for Diego Restrepo who is a master in that field. More unfortunate than the slow playing and staying down for injuries was the elbow that split Isidro Martinez open and required stitches. Personally, I’d say the yellow card was just, but it was an avoidable incident and left Gerson Echeverry with ten men on the pitch. Clearly, with a gameplan to be physical at all costs, Austin finished with 24 fouls conceded and six yellow cards.

The squad will be off until a week from today when they travel to Nevada to face Reno 1868 FC. I will preview that fixture in next week’s piece.

Top Toros

Man of the Match, Romilio Hernandez: The defensive midfielder was able to set the control the midfield, registering four tackles, a clearance, and an interception. He won three fouls and connected on over 80% of his passes.

Kyle Adams: RGVFC’s captain finished with 89% passing and five clearances. Outside of the stat line, he was vocal in his defense of his teammates and in opposition of questionable tactics from Bold FC.

Nico Corti: The goal was unfortunate, but he still had a heckuva performance as he made six saves on a very windy day.

This Week’s Quote-A-Bull: Chuy Enriquez

On what the club needs to do after the loss to Austin:

“We just need to get back to what we did against Colorado Springs. It’s a tough loss, but we need to keep our heads up and keep working.”

An Eloise Ending