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Gameday Report: Lopez lifts Toros to victory against Red Bulls II

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/15/22, 9:06PM EDT

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Cuban forward scores fifth goal of season to earn visitors 1-0 win at MSU Soccer Park

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Frank Lopez scored the only goal as Rio Grande Valley FC took its second win of the season with a 1-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Friday night at MSU Soccer Park, giving the Cuban forward his fifth goal of the season in all competitions in the campaign so far.

The Red Bulls II had a pair of early chances as Jeremy Rafanello fired just wide from a free kick and Zach Ryan curled a half-volley over the crossbar inside the opening 10 minutes, but neither side seriously tested either goalkeeper in the opening stanza. New York’s AJ Marcucci and RGVFC’s Tyler Deric were only called into action once apiece before the break, each comfortably making saves to leave the game scoreless.

The Toros almost took the lead six minutes into the second half, however, after a moment of confusion between Marcucci and one of his defenders on a ball over the top saw the ball fall for Luka Malesevic 30 yards from goal, but Malesevic was unable to turn his first-time finish into the open net. RGVFC went close again four minutes later when Dylan Borczak was played into the left side of the penalty area by Emilio Ycaza but shot into the near side-netting.

The breakthrough came for the visitors in the 67th minute, however, when Ycaza delivered a cross from the left that Marcucci was unable to handle cleanly, allowing Lopez to turn home a finish from inside the six-yard area. Deric made a good save with 10 minutes remaining to keep the Toros ahead, turning wide a free kick by Rafanello that was driven to the bottom-right corner of the net, and from there the visitors were able to see out an important road win.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Tyler Deric, Rio Grande Valley FC – Deric recorded a two-save shutout, including an important late save to preserve the win for the visitors.

Scoring Summary
RGV
– Frank Lopez 67’

Full Box Score

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