All Toros, No Bull: RGVFC unable to overcome a red card on the road
In a battle for the 2019 Copa Tejas, RGVFC finished down a player and down three goals at the final whistle.
RGVFC had the chance to win their first trophy in franchise history when they faced Austin Bold FC on Sunday. Unfortunately, a poorly awarded red card and an aggressive Austin attack led to a 3-0 defeat on the road for the Toros. Ema Twumasi, Andre Lima, and Isaac Promise scored the goals for Bold FC.
RGVFC Toros (7-12-7)
There’s no other way to say this: the red card awarded to Nico Corti was horrendous. If somehow you haven’t seen it, the goalkeeper slid outside of his area and the ball deflected off of his knee, but after some shouts from Austin players, referee Kevin Broadley brandished a straight red card for “handling the ball” outside of the penalty area. At the time of the sending off in the 44th minute, RGVFC only trailed 1-0 on the road. Now down a player and with their backup keeper, Ben Willis, forced into the game, they were unable to salvage the match. To make that decision to send a player off, you better be absolutely sure the infraction occurred. Unfortunately, there was no VAR available to rectify the call and all the referee could do was apologize for missing it in live-action.
With the loss, the Copa Tejas went to Austin and the Toros find themselves further away from the playoffs, only one win in their last five. But, the club will have a good chance to bounce back in their next outing at home vs. Tulsa.
Top Toros
Isidro Martinez: Chelo hit on 86% of his 50 passes, had three successful crosses, and created two chances.
Eric Bird: The Dynamo midfielder tallied two key passes, three tackles, and completed 41 passes.
Ben Willis: I know, the backup goalkeeper allowed two goals. But, being launched into a tough circumstance, Willis made seven saves against Bold FC, including a Save of the Week nominee.
This Week’s Quote-A-Bull: Jesus “Chuy” Enriquez
On the importance of the fans this Saturday:
It’s always important to have fans at home games, especially in times like these, when we need them most.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC (5-13-8)
For the first time since April, Roughnecks FC won a match in USL Championship play when they defeated Fresno FC over the weekend. Marlon scored the winner and assisted on the opening goal in the 2-1 win.
Rodrigo da Costa, who scored the first goal vs. Fresno, has been a star despite Tulsa’s poor form. He is approaching the double-double mark for goals and assists. He has nine goals and eight assists on the year, leading the club in both categories. He also has club-highs in shots, shots on target, and chances created.
Roughnecks FC have allowed the 5th-most goals in the USL Championship with 55 in 26 matches and they don’t see much of the ball with the 4th-least passes in the league. They defeated RGV earlier this season at ONEOK Field, 2-1.
Tonight, they face El Paso Locomotive FC before making their way down to the Rio Grande Valley.
The Particulars
Saturday, 7:30 PM CDT, at H-E-B Park
RGVFC Toros vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
An Eloise Ending
