RGV FC Face OKC on the Road

Texas Border Business

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EDINBURG, Texas – The Rio Grande Valley FC (0-5-2) look to rebuild and focus on the matchup at OKC Energy FC (1-3-2) on Saturday, August 15. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CST and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+.

Here are your three key points: 

• The club continues to be winless this 2020 season, as they head into match eight. Although all hopes are high, the Toros suffered a 4-1 loss at Austin Bold FC on Saturday, August 8 with a 10-man squad. Following Robert Coronado’s red card ejection, Austin was able to take advantage of the opportunity and finished the night with four in the back of the net. Ryan Coulter, goalkeeper player and coach, was under the arc for the Toros making his debut with the club. Although the team was down a defender, Kyle Adams and Robert Castellanos stepped up and attempted to contain the Bold’s firing. Adams finished the night with eight clearances, two tackles, two interceptions, and one block. Castellanos totaled five clearances, three interceptions, and four blocks – who leads the USL Championship with 59 total clearances. 
• As the club is in search of their first three points, the Toros offense has continued to miss opportunities. The matchup against Austin, RGV FC had six total shots which are the lowest thus far. Overall, the Toros rank fifth with 91 total shots taken with an 8% conversion rate. RGV FC lacks potent attackers that are able to distribute the ball forward and finish plays. Isidro Martinez has created 12 chances throughout seven appearances while as a club, the Toros have totaled 69 created chances – only five leading to a goal. 
• Last time both clubs met was on July 22 where OKC struck with a late equalizer which caused the Toros to go home with a lone point, 1-1. The Energy enter the matchup with two recent losses, conceding six total goals at home. As the motivation may be down at OKC, RGV needs to be able to continue to create chances and be potent on the attack in order to bring the first three points back to The Valley. Though, Jaime Chavez and Frank Lopez both lead with total shots and shots on goal – Chavez (14 SH, 7 SOG) and Lopez (11 SH, 6 SOG). Chavez also leads the Energy with two goals, six total goals as a team. Rafael Garcia also leads OKC with 10 created chances which will be crucial in the midfield for the Toros. What is also critical is that C.J. Cochran has saved 18 of the 29 shots faced thus far, ranking him sixth in the USL Championship, setting a barrier for the Toros offense.

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