EDINBURG — Less than 10 minutes into RGV FC’s match against San Antonio FC on Saturday, Toros midfielder Jesus Enriquez took control of the ball with space on the left half of the penalty box. About 12 yards from goal, Enriquez unleashed a shot with his right foot, and San Antonio keeper Diego Restrepo parried it away with a dive to his left.
“Six out of 10 times, he’ll score that,” RGV FC captain Todd Wharton said. “That was unfortunate. Other than that, it’s frustrating. We did play so well, and we did deserve a goal. It just wasn’t there for us in the final third.”
The Toros controlled Saturday’s match in almost every aspect but came away with only a 0-0 draw against SAFC.
The result moves the Toros to 1-3-5 on the year. RGV FC has posted four consecutive matches without a loss, but the past three of those showings have been draws. With eight points through nine matches, the Toros rank 13th out of 17 teams in the USL’s Western Conference standings.
“We strive for those three points. That’s the most important thing, and the past three games, we’ve tied,” midfielder Nicolas Perea said. “We have to start building up some points. I think the boys know that, and we’re going to start coming out with more urgency.”
RGV limited San Antonio’s dangerous opportunities, and the Toros finished with a 5-3 edge in shots on target. RGV outshot SAFC 13-8 overall and held an 8-3 margin in corner kicks.
Possession — a point of emphasis throughout the season for the Toros — was 56.9 percent in RGV’s favor, including 62.0 percent in the opening half.
“Extremely happy. I liked how we moved the ball around and how we controlled the majority of the play,” RGV FC coach Gerson Echeverry said. “It’s one of the few games in which we out-possessed the other team, so for us, that’s key to make sure our team starts evolving in that aspect.”
Echeverry said he was also happy with the effort on the defensive end, where RGV posted its third clean sheet in its past four matches. Prior to that stretch, the Toros had conceded 11 goals in five games.
Echeverry pointed to tactical improvements in the midfield as a cause for the defensive uptick, and Wharton said the team’s mentality has shifted to prioritize keeping opponents at zero, perhaps even at the cost of scoring.
The Toros were shut out for the second time in three matches, leading to the team’s third straight draw.
“In a game like this, we could’ve easily pulled off the win,” Echeverry said. “We’re making the play. We’re the ones creating and scoring some really good goals, and just for whatever reason, we’re getting these silly draws. It’s better getting a point than losing, so you always want to add up, but we have to start pulling these matches off.”
In five home matches, RGV FC is 1-0-4.
“It’s not acceptable,” Wharton said. “Home is where you have to get your points. You have to win games. Especially when you outplay he other team like that. We’re not happy with the tie. It is what it is. Just unlucky tonight.”
