All Toros, No Bull: The post giveth and taketh away
A fourth straight match with no goals for RGVFC as they drop a close one to Rising FC.
After a scoreless draw vs. the worst club in the Western Conference last weekend, RGVFC Toros suffered a 1-0 defeat against the hottest club in the entire USL Championship, Phoenix Rising FC. Adam Jahn scored the lone goal in the second half at H-E-B Park.
RGVFC Toros (5-9-5)
Small slivers of metal on opposite sides of the pitch played crucial roles in last weekend’s match. Carlos Small broke free and had a chance to open the scoring on the break, but his shot clanked off the post after it beat Rising goalkeeper Zac Lubin. Less than ten minutes later, Solomon Asante’s cross found Jahn with space in the box and his header was partially saved by Tyler Deric, but it went off the post and in. Those two moments proved to be the biggest of the match.
Along with the aforementioned Tyler Deric, Houston Dynamo loaned down Eric Bird, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Sam Junqua, and Memo Rodriguez. Bird came off at the half for Rodriguez to enter and Memo had one of the better efforts of the match, a powerful left-footed strike that forced a save.
Chuy Enriquez had an off night and really needs to start producing some finishing players, either goals or assists, with his club stuck in this scoreless streak. Kevin Rodriguez continues to serve as a non-factor up top, completing over 64% of an underwhelming 14 attempts and shooting once. The starting fullbacks both were sloppy in their distribution and crossing. Junqua finished with 1/4 crossing success and 75% passing accuracy while Samuels registered 74% and was 0/2 on crosses.
Overall, it was not a poor effort but the deficiencies prevented the club from securing a big upset and a much-needed win. Next up, a home match against Republic FC.
Top Toros
Carlos Small: While his job is to score goals, the Panamanian did just about all he could without actually finding the back of the net. He finished with five shots, two chances created, and won 11 duels.
Kyle Adams: The captain helped limit the league’s highest-scoring attack to one goal. He tallied four clearances, two interceptions, and connected on 92% of his passes.
Camilo Monroy: He was a main producer of action for RGVFC. Using his pace to run down the middle of the pitch, he created two chances, ended with 90% pass accuracy, and drew four fouls.
This Week’s Quote-A-Bull:
Wilmer Cabrera Jr. on how the attack can get back on track:
“We have to take more risks in the final third and take more shots but make sure they are on target.”
Sacramento Republic FC (8-7-2)
Republic FC and the Toros will face off for the first time in 2019. Sacramento has been up and down recently, winning two matches by nine goals combined, losing two straight, then securing a 1-0 win last weekend. They are a tough side to break down, but they also are not an elite attacking side; the club sits 22nd in goals scored and 26th in goals conceded.
Veteran striker Cameron Iwasa leads Republic FC with nine goals and is tied for a club-high three assists. Their action man is Sam Werner, who has 33 chances created, three assists, and four goals. In goal, Josh Cohen is tied for fourth in the league with seven clean sheets.
An Eloise Ending
The Particulars
Saturday, 7:30 PM, at H-E-B Park
Sacramento Republic FC at RGVFC
