EDINBURG — It has been a lukewarm start to the season for the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.
RGVFC has only played six matches this season and could use a win right now. The panic button could stay sealed even if the Toros do not pick up three points against Memphis 901, one of two teams remaining in the USL Championship that have yet to win a match, at 7 p.m. today at H-E-B Park.
Eight teams out of 12 make the playoffs from each conference this season, so below average is good enough to make the playoffs in a league that has a lot of parity. Draws litter the league standings.
The Toros (1-3-1) only lost their first USL Championship match of the season last week in Pittsburgh, 2-0 to the Riverhounds. Head coach Wilmer Cabrera said nothing worked well.
“We did not defend as we should and we conceded two goals,” Cabrera said. “Offensively, we did not create anything. We were not expecting to have that type of game, but we have to deal with that. We were all terrible.”
Here is a brief preview of @RGVFC head coach Wilmer Cabrera talking to the media. pic.twitter.com/AWJbMMyMp9
— Rey Silva of Pro Sports RGV (@SoTxAthletix) April 21, 2023
The Toros do not have the worst defensive record in the league, having only given up five goals so far this campaign. Only three teams have given up less, but the Toros have given up two goals in back-to-back matches.
RGVFC defender Jonathan Ricketts, like Cabrera, acknowledged things need to be better on defense.
“Concentration,” Ricketts said. “Focusing on our roles, no silly mistakes — all those basic things that are sometimes easier said than done. It is just a mind game, a focus game, and we need to be on top of that.”
| RGVFC players huddle by head coach Wilmer Cabrera at practice on Thursday at H-E-B Park. The Toros return to H-E-B Park today after spending the last three games on the road. Photo courtesy of RGVFC. |
The Toros are not scoring many goals either. RGVFC has only scored four goals this season in the USL Championship. One of them came from the left foot of Ricky Ruiz.
“We need to be technically better individually,” Ruiz said. “I think we have created chances, but a lot of our chances are not on target. I think that comes to every player individually, including myself. Also, being smart with the ball. Sometimes in the final third we have struggled.”
| Toros forward Ricky Ruiz juggling during training on Thursday. Photo courtesy of RGVFC. |
A boost to the side could be the return of striker Frank Lopez, who could receive minutes this week after missing the start of the season due to injury.
Memphis has former USMNT keeper Bill Hamid and a host of other ex-MLS players to choose from when it comes to Edinburg.