All Toros, No Bull: RGVFC’s 2021 season ends with a loss vs. San Antonio FC
The rollercoaster that was the 2021 USL Championship season for RGVFC came to an end over the weekend as the Toros were defeated 3-1 by San Antonio FC in the Western Conference semifinals.
RGVFC Toros
Saturday night’s matchup in San Antonio was the first-ever postseason South Texas Derby. Santiago Patino scored the opener after Colin Miller made a save but couldn’t control the rebound. It was the lone goal of a first half that was controlled by the hosts.
Patino added a second in the 55th minute as he was poorly-marked in the box and was able to tap the ball home after controlling a pinpoint cross from Connor Maloney. The final San Antonio goal came from Nathan, assisted by Jose Gallegos.
RGVFC pulled one back after Alexis Cerritos was fouled in the box and Elvis Amoh buried a penalty kick. Momentum shifted towards the Toros, but they couldn’t turn that positive energy into any more goals.
It was a pretty typical match for SAFC. They concede a lot of possession, lock in deep defensively, allow Gallegos to create action driving forward, and take advantage of their chances. For RGVFC, without Jonas Fjeldberg and Christian Sorto, they weren’t able to consistently cut through the San Antonio backline.
Overall, it was a successful season for the Toros. They made their second-ever playoff appearance, scored a massive upset in the postseason, and will have set a foundation to build on in 2022 with their independent club model.
Top Toros
Elvis Amoh: He scored the lone goal for the Toros (his 13th of the season) on a penalty kick. He also pitched in off the ball with four tackles and one clearance.
Alexis Cerritos: Coming off the bench in the second half, he brought a much-needed spark to RGVFC. He drew the foul leading to the penalty, completed 9/10 passes, and had one shot and one chance created.
Juan David Cabezas: Matching the physicality of San Antonio, JDC racked up eight tackles and had two fouls. The veteran midfielder also connected on 44 passes (80% accuracy).
What’s Next?
With the 2021 season coming to an end, the focus turns toward taking the next step in 2022. This year’s roster came together late in the preseason with the drastic changes to the organizational setup for RGVFC. Now, Wilmer Cabrera & Co. will have an entire offseason to build a roster that can improve on an impressive 2021 campaign. Stay tuned for articles & interviews at various times ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season.
