All Toros, No Bull: RGVFC officially eliminated from the playoffs for a 3rd straight year
Just like the last two seasons, there will be no postseason soccer for RGVFC after a draw vs. New Mexico United.
The RGVFC Toros were essentially on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason, but following their draw vs. New Mexico United, their absence is official for the 2019 USL Championship Western Conference playoffs. Carlos Small scored the lone goal in the 1-1 away draw.
RGVFC Toros (9-15-8)
It is not yet the time for a full dissection and analysis of the 2019 RGVFC Toros season. That time will come in the weeks following their final match on 10/18. For now, we will simply say that it’s disappointing for there to be another year without postseason soccer in McAllen. With the draw over the weekend, RGVFC drew level with their 2017 point total and sit three points below their 2018 total.
Earlier this season, this result would have been quite the feather in the cap of this team. But, New Mexico United has cooled way off since their hot start and solid US Open Cup run. Now, they are battling for a playoff position, which does make the RGVFC away draw impressive.
I think the two-striker lineup was a solid tactical move by Gerson Echeverry, but the execution in front of goal was not equal to the talent of Small and Michael Salazar. For the final two matches, I would love to see this continue, potentially mixing in Juan Carlos Obregon Jr., who the Houston Dynamo organization may want to take a longer look at. These last two matches will essentially serve as a tryout for the Houston front office and potentially Davy Arnaud if he is to get the full-time head coaching job, and other teams around Major League Soccer and the USL Championship.
Top Toros
Nico Corti: He made three saves and a punch as the Toros were able to hold a potent New Mexico attack to one goal.
Kyle Adams: Like Corti, Adams played a big role in limiting their opponent’s attack. He made eight clearances and completed 86% of his passes.
Carlos Small: Overall, I don’t think Small played a great match. But, he did provide the lone goal of the match for RGVFC.
This Week’s Quote-A-Bull: Robert Castellanos
On the importance of finishing this season strong, despite being eliminated from postseason contention:
“It’s very important, not what we wanted with missing the playoffs, but that’s done already so now we just have to finish off the next two games with wins for our fans, club and for us the players.”
OKC Energy FC (9-12-11)
Next up on the postseason elimination grim reaper may be OKC Energy FC. They sit directly above RGVFC and four points below the playoff cut line. In their last six matches, they have zero victories. Last time out, OKC dropped a 2-0 result on the road vs. Orange County SC.
The Jamaican duo of Deshorn Brown and Omar Gordon has led the club this season. Brown has 14 goals, placing him in the top-ten in the USL Championship. Gordon has a club-high seven assists and has played in all 32 of the club’s matches.
Veteran USL goalkeeper Cody Laurendi is the only goalkeeper in the league with over 100 saves. He has six clean sheets on the year.
The Particulars
Sunday, 6 PM CDT, at Taft Stadium
RGVFC at OKC Energy FC
An Eloise Ending
