Copa Tejas: Toros level it late

The first installment of Copa Tejas began with the new boys, El Paso Locomotive FC, hosting the RGVFC Toros. The Toros entered the game without scoring a goal or securing any points on the season. A new rivalry with an in-state opponent who also shares a border with Mexico had one question…. who would win the battle of the border?

In the first half, El Paso looked like the side that would take all three points as they scored just before the break to give them a 1-0 advantage. The pressure continued during the second half and El Paso scored a second goal.

Not to go down without a fight, the Toros responded with their first goal of the season. Romilio Hernandez pounced on some space to shoot from distance to make it 2-1. The drama of making a game of it late for the Toros has always gone the opposite way. But, in the dying minutes of the match, Toros had a set piece opportunity which Isidro Martinez found an elevated Jesus Enriquez for a late equalizer. The first Copa Tejas match finished 2-2 in El Paso.

What’s next for the Valley side

Another road trip is on deck for the Toros as they will visit the Tulsa Roughnecks FC. The Roughnecks are not the version that they were a season ago. They sit atop the Western Conference standings with 7 points. Last season, the Toros earned a result in Tulsa by a score of 2-1. Historically, the Toros and Roughnecks have had a pretty balanced series among them. Each team has two wins and two draws. The game is on Friday night at 7 pm Central.

Stars and Stripes in Houston

I generally cover stories that happen at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas. However, I was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime to cover the USMNT in Houston. It was not the first time that the Stars and Stripes visited the Space City or even the Lonestar state, but, personally, it was my first men’s international match to cover.

I had the privilege to cover them on Tuesday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Stadium and national team officials treated me so well.

Now about the game itself, the action started fast and furious as the United States got the first attack of the game. Then, Chile the reigning South American champion responded back but their chance went wide.

However, the US scored in the fourth minute of the match off a Gyasi Zardes pass that found Christian Pulisic, who chipped the keeper for the opening goal.

After conceding the goal,  Chile exposed the USA defense on several occasions. In the 9th minute of the match, Oscar Opazo found a loose ball in the area and buried the equalizer to make it one-all. That is how the scoreline would remain through regulation and stoppage time in front of over 18,000 fans.

The sad note for the USMNT is that Christian Pulisic took a knock and had to be subbed off in the 35th minute.

 

Photo courtesy of Christian Inoferio