Toros Stun SLC in South Texas

A Midweek Letdown Leads to an Upset Weekend Win

Last week, RGVFC faced the tough task of playing two matches in four days. Difficult enough as is, they were taking on two of the top three teams in the USL’s Western Conference. The 15th place Toros held their own and then some.

Last Wednesday, the club went toe-to-toe with Phoenix Rising FC in the Arizona desert. Each club has major chances throughout, but it was a second half mistake by the Toros that gave Phoenix a 1-0 win. Sheldon Sullivan missed a clearance in the penalty area and star winger Solomon Asante capitalized. Rising FC held an edge on possession and shots, but the Toros actually put more efforts on frame.

Returning home on Saturday, RGVFC recorded one of their signature victories of the season. They hosted Real Monarchs SLC, the club that has sat atop the Western Conference table for much of the season. In front of their home crowd, the Toros defeated Real Salt Lake’s USL affiliate 2-1. After going down in the first half, Aldo Quintanilla and Todd Wharton scored a goal apiece to secure the big win.

Ballin’ Bulls

Dynamo Theory’s Player of the Week Todd Wharton: What a week for the Toros’ captain. He completed 92% of his 39 passes vs. Rising FC. Then, he completed all 15 of his passes on Saturday, got an assist from a corner kick, and scored the match winner against Monarchs SLC. He was named to the USL Team of the Week reserves.

Chuy Enriquez: Despite not scoring, I think Wednesday was the best match I have seen from Chuy this season. He worked incredibly hard at both ends of the pitch and created chances for himself and his teammates.

Aldo Quintanilla: Returning from injury, Aldo buried the equalizer for the Toros against Real Monarchs SLC.

Talkin’ Toros

Todd Wharton on how many match winning goals he’s scored and how big the SLC win is for the club’s confidence down the stretch

“I have no clue how many game winners I’ve scored, but not many.”

“We know we are a good team and getting a win against a top opponent shows it. We can use this to finish the season with more wins and good performances.”

Manny Padilla on getting the big win in front of their home fans

“It’s something we’ve needed for a long time and wish it could’ve came earlier this season.”

The Good Guys: Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (5-11-12)

Last week just further confirmed the thought that this team is talented, just inconsistent. Both matches showcased skill and the will to win, but one match ended in defeat due to a rookie mistake and the other was a huge victory over a top side.

Gerson Echeverry and his staff did well to prepare the club for both big matches and make quality adjustments on the fly, like changing the formation against SLC.

Luis Gil and Tyler Deric played in both matches on loan from the Houston Dynamo.

The Bad Guys: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (10-15-4)

Colorado Springs has lost three of their last four matches, with a 1-0 surprising win against Monarchs SLC mixed in at the end of August. They are led in scoring by defender Jordan Burt and have dangerous attacking players like Shane Malcolm (5 goals, 4 assists), Saeed Robinson, and AJ Ajeakwa.

In their two previous match-ups, the home side has been victorious. Back in the beginning weeks of the season, Switchbacks FC won a 2-1 result on a cold, rainy night in Colorado. At the end of July, RGVFC won at H-E-B Park by a 1-0 scoreline.

The Dirty Details

Saturday, 7 PM CDT, at Weidner Field

RGVFC at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

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