Rio Grande Valley FC followed up an important mid-week away win with another impressive performance Saturday night.
The Toros picked up three points in a 3-1 victory over New Mexico United. Their first win at H-E-B Park since June.
The win puts RGV FC on the cusp of the playoff spots in the USL Championship Western Conference. The Toros could find themselves only a point off the pace after the weekend.
The Toros now have 36 points and some games at hand against rivals in the table. Because other teams have played more matches than RGV FC and with west coast teams having late start times, the Toros could only be a point behind Las Vegas for the last playoff spot going into their next against Colorado Springs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at H-E-B Park.
The Toros gave themselves cushion in the 68th minute. With New Mexico United committing numbers forward in search of an equalizer, RGV FC sprung on a counter. A two-on-one situation provided space for Ricky Ruiz to find Jonas Fjellberg in the box.
The Norwegian youth international calmly slotted his shot by the keeper to go up 3-1.
RGV FC found themselves down after only seven minutes. A great run down the right wing set up New Mexico United Armando Moreno for an easy finish.
The Toros needed only eight minutes to find an equalizer. Center back Wahab Ackwei’s long ball found Emilio Ycaza behind the New Mexico defense. Ycaza’s first time left-footed volley left the keeper rooted to his line.
Ycaza was instrumental in the buildup for the second goal as well. Ycaza’s ball winning challenge fell kindly to Fjellberg. The Norwegian played in Ycaza behind the New Mexico defense.
Ycaza’s low cross found Christian Pinzon at the top of the box. Still with a lot to do, Pinzon worked the ball to his left foot and unleashed a rocket passed the keeper to take the lead.