Rio Grande Valley FC is still on the hunt for a first home win of the season.
The Toros have played nine games so far this and are coming off their best offensive performance on the road last week when they scored three goals to pick up three points against San Diego Loyal SC.
The Toros host a tough Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30 p.m. tonight at H-E-B Park in search of that first home win of the season.
“It is no secret that we have not won a match at home,” Toros head coach Wilmer Cabrera said in a press conference on Thursday. “We need that win here in front of our fans. We are looking to earn our first home win of the season, that is something very important to us and we feel in debt to our loyal fans who come and support at this beautiful stadium each time.”
The Toros are firing offensively. RGVFC has scored five goals in the last two matches. The Toros had previously scored four in the previous seven matches.
Taking three points back to Texas! 🧳
Ricky Ruiz had a goal and an assist to help @RGVFC defeat @SanDiegoLoyal 3-2!#SDvRGV | https://t.co/fvkt2sO57i pic.twitter.com/JjbhwXXyVT
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) May 14, 2023
“I believe that it is a result of confidence, this is all reflective of all the team,” forward Ricky Ruiz said about his recent form. Ruiz scored the match winner against San Diego.
“We have been gaining confidence through each training session. We have been clicking much better recently and you can see those results in these past games. Personally, my current success is based on the confidence aspect,” Ruiz said.
Here is a brief preview of @rgvfc forward @riiickyruiz talking about the form translating from practice to game and facing Tampa Bay. #RGVvTB pic.twitter.com/gIAnDRE41h
— Rey Silva of Pro Sports RGV (@SoTxAthletix) May 19, 2023
Christian François, an off-season signing, is also heating up offensively. The Haitian international has scored in back-to-back matches after not scoring the first seven matches. Ruiz and François lead the Toros in scoring with Taylor Davila
This is the first match ever between the two clubs.
The Rowdies are one of the more recognizable teams in the USL Championship. Tampa Bay is the former club of Freddy Adu and former England international and Chelsea player Joe Cole, head turning transfers almost a decade ago.
“We do not know much on Tampa Bay, the only thing that we will know is what we can review on film,” Cabrera. “We recognize that they are one of the toughest teams to face in the Eastern conference. We have an opportunity to start this history between both clubs here at home. They have always been solid and have qualified to the [USL Championship] finals often. We need to be very respectful to their playstyle.”
Tampa Bay is currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Rowdies won their last match 5-1 over Detroit City FC thanks to a Jerome Williams hat trick.
We want to win, we are anxious to win at home,” Toros defender Gabriel Benitez said on Thursday. “We have two upcoming games that are tough tests, but we want to earn all six points available in the next two home games.”
RGVFC is currently 2-5-2 and in 10th place, but only two points outside of the playoff spots.