Toros Take Down Orange County

RODRIGUEZ LEADS SIDE TO FIRST WIN OF SEASON WITH 2-0 VICTORY

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley FC claimed its first victory of the season, and broke Orange County SC’s four-game winning streak, with a 2-0 win at H-E-B Park on Wednesday night. Both teams had chances inside the opening 10 minutes as Orange County’s Thomas Enevoldsen fired over from 20 yards and RGVFC’s Todd Wharton had a tame turning volley saved. The Toros also forced Orange County goalkeeper Andre Rawls into action on chances for Memo Rodriguez and Omar Ontiveros, while Nicolas Perea fired just wide of the left post from distance just before the half-hour mark. RGVFC made its attacking pressure count in the 36th minute as Memo Rodriguez put home a cross from the right by Mac Steeves, though, and Steeves almost doubled the Toros’ lead shortly before the halftime break only to be denied by Rawls. Orange County threatened to level in the 65th when Aodhan Quinn’s corner kick was headed on target by Walker Hume only for RGVFC goalkeeper Nico Corti to make the save. Enevoldsen was also denied by Corti on a low shot from just inside the penalty area with 13 minutes to go, and the Danish forward flashed a shot from 30 yards just high and wide of the right post soon after, but with a minute to go Aldo Quintanilla scored a second for the Toros to wrap up their first win of the season.

Scoring:
36’ – RGV – Memo Rodriguez (Mac Steeves)
89’ – RGV – Aldo Quintanilla (Todd Wharton)

• #RGVvOC: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Given Rio Grande Valley’s propensity for letting leads slip so far this season, there was an element of nervousness as the side looked to protect a one-goal lead it had earned with a positive attacking display for much of the game. For the first time in five games this season when the Toros have held a lead, however, they were able to hold firm late on, limiting Orange County’s clear looks on goal before Aldo Quintanilla's late insurance goal earned Head Coach Gerson Echeverry his first regular season victory in charge of the club.
• 2. Orange County had recorded four consecutive shutouts coming into Wednesday night’s contest but seemed to be slightly off the pace defensively after its week away from action that saw the Toros find opportunities regularly in the first half. That tentativeness was notable on RGVFC’s opening goal, where Memo Rodriguez attacked Mac Steeves’ cross from the right to beat Oscar Sorto to the top of the six-yard area and put away a sharp finish to the left corner.
• 3. OCSC’s attack had been potent in recent outings but misfired on the chances it created while recording only two shots on goal that were both comfortably claimed by Toros goalkeeper Nico Corti. With its stellar run of four consecutive wins snapped, Orange County will need to put this game behind it quickly as it heads home for what on paper looks like it should be a solid test from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night at Champions Soccer Stadium.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Memo Rodriguez, Rio Grande Valley FC – Rodriguez scored the opening goal for the Toros and posed a consistent threat to Orange County’s defense, finishing with five shots overall on the night.

Upcoming Games:

Rio Grande Valley FC vs. Reno 1868 FC – May 2, 11:30 a.m. ET, H-E-B Park

Orange County SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – April 28, 10 p.m. ET, Champions Soccer Stadium