Toros close out 2018 home slate with a win

Heckuva Home Finale

In their final match of the season at H-E-B Park, RGVFC gave the fans something to cheer about with a 2-1 win over Fresno FC.

Before the clock struck 10 minutes, Jesus “Chuy” Enriquez opened the scoring. After he dribbled his way to the end line and saw his shot blocked, Enriquez headed home a poor clearance by a Fresno defender in front of goal. But, as they have on countless occasions, the Toros quickly conceded after taking the lead. In the 14th minute, Agustin Cazarez blasted home a header past Tyler Deric.

Instead of settling for another disappointing draw, RGVFC battled for all three points. Aldo Quintanilla hit the crossbar from distance after coming off the bench and the Toros out-shot Fresno 24 to 13, including 10 to 4 on target.

Finally, their hard work in the attack paid off. Chuy headed the ball to Carlos Small, who slipped past a defender and buried the winner in the 84th minute.

Ballin’ Bulls

Dynamo Theory’s Man of the match Jesus “Chuy” Enriquez: He scored the opening goal, completed 85% of his 52 passes, and connected on four key passes, including an assist on the match winner. Chuy was named to the USL’s Team of the Week reserves.

Carlos Small: The target man scored the winner for RGVFC and finished with three shots on target for the night.

Todd Wharton: With the Toros holding an edge in possession, the captain was able to control the tempo and complete 92% of his 52 passes.

Talkin’ Toros

Chuy on the fan support this season:

“It was always great. Through ups and downs, the fans were always there.”

Bryce Marion on advice he gave Brandon Morales before his debut last week:

“I told him to enjoy himself and that he has the quality that warrants him being on the pitch, so he shouldn’t be afraid to express himself creatively once he got out there.”

The Good Guys: Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (7-12-13)

Saturday’s win was a big one for the Toros. It was the type of match they typically draw and it also allowed them to end their home slate on a positive note. Lucky fans got a Mr. Toro bobblehead and had a chance to see some potential future RGVFC stars like Chuy, Small, Bryce Marion, and others, a longtime Toro in captain Todd Wharton, and three Dynamo first team players in Tyler Deric, Luis Gil, and Conor Donovan.

It will be fun to see if they can keep the momentum going into their final two matches of the season, both on the road where they’ve only won once.

The Bad Guys: Tulsa Roughnecks FC

RGVFC is 14th of 17th in the Western Conference, so there are few teams below them. But, they get a chance to play one of those select few sides this weekend. Tulsa enters the match with the Western Conference’s worst goal differential, -36.

That differential was not helped in their last match, a 2-0 loss to Reno 1868 FC. When these clubs met earlier this season, it was a 1-1 draw in South Texas. Chuy scored the lone goal for the Toros and Paris Gee responded two minutes later for the Roughnecks.

Joaquin Rivas is the club’s leader in goals with 11 and Gee has a club-high six assists.

The Dirty Details

7 PM CDT, Saturday, 10/6, at ONEOK Field

RGVFC at Tulsa Roughnecks FC

Your Weekly Dose of Eloise

Credit: Amy Krebs-Merk