Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas (Saturday, July 11, 2020) – The USL Championship 2020 season returned to action after four months of league suspension due to COVID-19. The Rio Grande Valley FC (0-1-1) fell on the road 1-0 to El Paso Locomotive FC (1-0-1) on Saturday night.
The matchup was something unusual tonight as there was no fans in the stadium due to the ongoing pandemic. The first half was scoreless but the Toros pressed El Paso early in the game allowing Taiberson Nunes to strike off a deflection, but the ball went out to corner.
Ten minutes later, the Locomotive managed to sneak into the box but RGV FC stopped the play. The Toros had a dangerous opportunity after a set piece was taken where Robert Castellanosmanaged to head the ball towards the goal but wasn’t able to connect with Juan Carlos Obregon Jr.
The Locomotive gained force at the half as they kept attacking the Toros. Within one minute from the break, Marios Lomis took a right footed shot from outside the box forcing Paul Blanchette to save the ball at the top center of the goal.
Mechack Jerome struck the Toros’ goal post following a set piece, but the shot went out wide to the right post. Lomis attacked right after sending a right footed shot from the left side of the box where Blanchette saved the attempt.
In the 55th minute, Kevin Rodriguez threatened Los Locos goal as he sent a shot from outside the box but missed to the right. El Paso continued to attack the Toros as Blanchette continued to protect the goal. He was tested twice back-to-back ending with an angled shot from outside the box from Andrew Fox where Blanchette managed to save in the bottom left corner.
The Locomotive threatened once again in the 81st minute after Dylan Mares sent a shot following a set piece from outside the box, hitting the top left post. Two minutes later, Aaron Gomez connected with Mares where he then sent the ball past Blanchette to the back of the net marking the lone goal of the match, 0-1.
RGV FC finished with seven total shots and 54.3% of duels won. El Paso totaled 13 shots, six on target with 85.1% passing accuracy.
The Toros were led by Castellanos with two shots, adding 18 clearances and two interceptions.Robert Coronado totaled five tackles, one clearance and led with 69 touches. Blanchette totaled five saves and one clearance.
Nunes, Carter Manley, Kembo Kibato and James Murphy made their debut with RGV FC tonight.
RGV FC will return to H-E-B Park as they host interstate rival San Antonio FC on Friday, July 17. Kickoff is set at 8 p.m. CT. Matchup will be broadcasted locally on Somos El Valle 5.2 and nationally on ESPN+. To see more matchday information, visit www.rgvfc.com.
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Rio Grande Valley FC (0-1-1; 0 pts.) 0-1 El Paso Locomotive FC (1-0-1; 4 pts.)
USL Championship 2020 Season – Match 2
Saturday, July 11, 2020 – Southwest University Park – El Paso, Texas
SCORING SUMMARY
| TEAM | 1H | 2H | FT |
| Rio Grande Valley FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| El Paso Locomotive FC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
ELP: Dylan Mares 1 (Aaron Gomez 1) 83
LINEUPS & STATISTICS
RGV FC: Paul Blanchette, Robert Castellanos, Emile Legault, Carter Manley (Kembo Kibato 83’), Robert Coronado, Isidro Martinez, Timo Mehlich (James Murphy 74’), Taiberson Nunes (DeShane Beckford 60’), Kevin Rodriguez (Christian Lucatero 83’), Luka Prpa, Juan C. Obregon Jr. (Garrett McLaughlin 60’).
Unused substitutes: Ryan Coulter, Diego Rocha.
Total Shots: 7 (Castellanos 2), Shots on Goal: 0, Fouls Committed: 16 (Rodriguez 5), Offside: 0, Corner Kicks: 3, Saves: 5 (Blanchette 5)
ELP: Logan Ketterer, Chiro N’Toko (Mechack Jerome 45’), Drew Beckie, Bryam Rebellon, Andrew Fox (Moses Makinde 79’), Yuma Monsalvez (Richie Ryan 45’), Dylan Mares, Nick Ross, Louis Herrera (Distel Zola 66’), Marios Lomis, Aaron Gomez (Saeed Robinson 90’).
Unused substitutes: Jermaine Fordah, Guillermo Diaz.
Total Shots: 13 (Lomis 4), Shots on Goal: 6 (Lomis 2), Fouls Committed: 13 (Monsalvez 3), Offside: 1 (Jerome 1), Corner Kicks: 9, Saves: 0
DISCIPLINE
ELP: Drew Beckie (caution; foul) 30
ELP: Yuma Monsalvez (caution; foul) 38
ELP: Dylan Mares (caution; dissent) 78
RGV: James Murphy (caution; foul) 79
RGV: Robert Castellanos (caution; foul) 85
RGV: Emile Legault (caution; foul) 95
OFFICALS
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referee 1: Chris Canales
Assistant Referee 2: Manuel Vargas
Fourth Official: Marco Vega
