Texas Border Business
August 7, 2020
Rio Grande Valley FC Head Coach Gerson Echeverry
Rio Grande Valley FC Midfielder Kevin Rodriguez
Rio Grande Valley FC Midfielder Kembo Kibato
RGV FC HC Gerson Echeverry
On the matchup against Austin Bold and being able to finish the attack…
“I think we need to be more aggressive in the final third. Our build up in the middle third has improved and gotten better, I just don’t think guys are taking responsibility and finishing plays in the final third. Whether it is making the right pass, the right execution on the finish, and just being aggressive in the final third and that’s something that we are missing. When I mean aggressive, I mean are the guys making the right decision, not necessarily trying to do it all on their own because there’s too many times where guys try to finish the play on their own and they’re not on for that. Our combination of play needs to be cleaner on the final third in order to put teams down.”
On Austin giving up goals and their defensive struggles…
“I think that our transitional play has to be clean, but they also transition pretty fast. But I think our legs are a little bit fitter, a little bit younger, and I think it’s about getting numbers in transition and also, forcing the outside backs to defend. If we are capable of doing that, I think we can find some success. The thing also is being patient when we need to and the change of rhythm when we need to. I think there’s too many times which we are playing at one rhythm, we are trying to play at 100mph, or we are playing at 20mph and that’s not the case. You have to make sure that you change rhythms and able to change pace at the point of attack and that’s what we need to capitalize on.”
RGV FC MF Kevin Rodriguez
On what the team is looking to improve heading into Saturday’s matchup…
“We are looking to improve in the sense that we need to stop giving away easy goals and make it harder for the other team to score. We’ve given a goal a game and I think we can put a change to that.”
On the importance of earning three points especially on the road…
“I think right now it’s our top priority to get three points in order for us wanting to keep our hopes of attending the playoffs alive.”
On expectations against Austin Bold…
“The expectations will be high; we haven’t won a game despite playing really good at times so there will be pressure for us to get this win especially on the road.”
On keys to be able to finish plays…
“I think the key to finish plays is to just create more opportunities and focus on getting in behind teams. If we do that, the chances will come, and we will be able to finish a good amount of shots we take.”
RGV FC MF Kembo Kibato
On what the team is looking to improve heading into Saturday’s matchup…
“We are looking to be better in the final third. The focus this week was the importance of the final ball, confidence to drive/commit defenders and finishing off the play. We believe that this will be the key to our success on Saturday.”
On the importance of earning three points especially on the road…
“Every game is extremely important for us. We know the situation we’re in but are focused on winning this next game away. We know that if we take it one game at a time we can get out of this predicament.”
On expectations against Austin Bold…
“We know we are going against a team with some older or maybe more experienced players but if we move the ball like how we did last week as well as focus on our decision making and concentration on the final ball [or] finish in the final third. We are confident we can come away with three points.”
On keys to be able to finish plays…
“We had a lack of concentration and creativity once getting into the final third. Focusing on the final pass, touch and finish will definitely allow us to create more and finish off our plays.”
