Texas Border Business
KENNESAW, Georgia – Rio Grande Valley F.C (6-7-0) found glory on the road against Eastern conference opponent Atlanta United 2 (2-9-1) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Wednesday night. Robert Coronado came off the bench to score two goals in the second half and claim the late-stage victory for the Toros.
Emilio Ycaza found a long through ball just in front of the box from Wahab Ackwei, who got the assist credit, and dribbled into the penalty area where he sent a shot to the right corner of the goal to claim the 1-0 lead for RGV at the 22nd minute. The goal marked Ycaza’s fourth goal on the season as he joins Frank Lopez as top scorers for RGV FC.
Adolfo Hernandez scored his first goal as a Toro at the 25th minute as he tapped in a shot which came from a cross from the right wing. Isidro Martinez sent the cross and was credited with the assist on the play, 2-0.
Tyler Deric conceded a penalty at the 44th minute as he challenged Robby Mertz inside the box. On the ensuing try, the Brazilian native, Raimar netted the ball to cut the RGV lead to 2-1 before the half at the 45th minute.
Robbie Mertz found a loose ball inside the box at the 49th minute as Raimar made the cross and struck a volley into the top right corner of the goal out of the reach of Deric to equalize the match, 2-2.
Mertz closed in on a cross from the left wing from Raimar and headed in the shot to give Atlanta United 2 the lead, 3-2, at the 65th minute and claim a brace in the match. The duo combined for a second time in the match on a scoring play.
Robert Coronado sent a left footed shot to the bottom left of the goal to equalize the match at the 77th minute,3-3. The well-placed shot was Coronado’s second goal on the season, and his second time coming into the match as a substitute and scoring this campaign.
At the 91st minute, Coronado found a cross inside the 6-yard box and headed it into goal as he was going to the ground to claim the match winner, 4-3. The goal was his second of the match and his third on the season.
The four goals in the match is a season high for RGV FC as they continue their journey to open up offensively as new weapons rise for Wilmer Cabrera. Eleven different players have now scored for the Toros, a club record.
RGV F.C is back at H-E-B Park on Saturday, June 4th against LA Galaxy 2 as they resume Western Conference action. For more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
