Rio Grande Valley FC midfielder Jonas Fjeldberg was excited about the prospects of returning to the Valley in July for a second time on loan.
The Norwegian enjoys the Valley’s food, people and his team, he said. He also seems to like scoring goals for the Toros.
Fjeldberg, 24, scored two goals against Phoenix Rising last Saturday at H-E-B Park, including the match-winner during the 55th minute, his sixth goal for the Toros since his July return.
“It was obviously a good time to get two goals in. We really needed it to push for the playoff and to cap off an overall great team performance, those two goals were important,” Fjeldberg said.
The win gives the Toros a chance to control their own destiny in the final home game of the season.
If the Toros win today, they are in. RGV FC has 46 points, as well as the Oakland Roots in seventh place, the last playoff spot. The Las Vegas Lights sit on the outside looking in with 44 points.
The Toros also hold head-to-head tiebreakers over the Roots and the Lights, but if the Toros (13-13-7) lose against Monterey Bay (12-17-4) at 7:30 p.m. today at H-E-B Park, they would need Oakland to lose and Las Vegas to be defeated or held to a draw.
“Really hope we get a great turnout,” Fjeldberg said. “I know the boys are very excited, ready to clinch this playoff spot. I really hope it will be an all-around great experience, a lot of people, and I am sure we will do our best to turn up in an important game.”
Toros head coach Wilmer Cabrera, the USL Championship coach of the month for September, has deployed Fjeldberg as the right midfielder in his 4-2-3-1 formation. Fjeldberg prefers playing on the left or the middle of the pitch, he said, but is happy with his current situation.
Fjeldberg likes to attack inside when receiving the ball out wide, he said.
Those instincts were on display last Saturday against Phoenix when he received the ball during the 55th minute on the edge of the Rising box. The Norwegian cut in on his left, creating more than enough space to pick out the far post with his left foot.
Fjeldberg, on loan from USL Championship side Indy Eleven, spent the first half of the season with his parent club.
At Indy Eleven, the midfielder scored two goals in 16 appearances. With the Toros, the Norwegian has six goals and an assist in 10 matches.
During his first stint with the Toros, while on loan from FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer, Fjeldberg scored three goals and provided an assist in eight matches. Fjeldberg marked his Toros debut Sept. 25, 2021, with a match-winning goal against Atlanta United 2.
Fjeldberg likened the feeling of this season to that of last season, when the Toros went 4-1-1 down the stretch, collecting 13 points en route to a playoff appearance and a USL Western Conference quarterfinal victory over Phoenix Rising.
“It feels good to be recognized individually,” Fjeldberg said. “But, you know, we are all here as a team to make the playoffs and go as far as we can in the playoffs.”
The Toros have collected 16 points of a possible 21, going 5-1-1 during the past seven matches to help set up the big match today at H-E-B Park.