Ycaza, Coronado lead RGV FC comeback over Monterey Bay FC Union

A pair of late first-half goals granted RGV FC a 2-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC Union this Saturday at Cardinale Stadium.

Hugh Roberts scored the lone goal for Monterey Bay while Emilio Ycaza and Robert Coronado scored for the Toros.

While center back Daniel Luis had to abandon the match due to an injury sustained in the fifth minute, RGV FC fans will celebrate that this match also marked the return of veteran center back Erik Pimentel after his substitution in the 68th minute. Pimentel had missed all prior games of the 2021 USL Championship season due to an undisclosed injury.

Here's what happened

• RGV FC continued to show their set piece defensive struggles as the team conceded another goal off of a corner kick in the 19th minute of the match. Monterey Bay’s midfielder, Robbie Crawford, executed an accurate cross towards the border of the six-yard line where Hugh Roberts, who shrugged off the mark of Jonathan Ricketts, rose to meet and deflect the ball into the net.

• The Toros found the equalizing goal in the 42nd minute. Frank Lopez received a throw-in at the edge of the box with pressure from three defenders. To help maintain the possession, Lopez ceded the ball back to Juan Pablo Torres, who was forced to turn around, but spotted Ycaza running through the middle of the field into space. Torres ceded the ball to Ycaza, who attempted a long-distance shot, but his initial attempt was blocked by Crawford. The rebound stayed near Ycaza and, after setting himself up for his right foot, attempted another curled shot from outside the box. This time, the ball managed to sneak past the fingertips of Carlos Herrera, grazed the inner side of the post, and made the trek to the far post and into the net.

• Before the referee blew the whistle for half-time, RGV FC found the go-ahead goal in the second minute of stoppage time. After a series of first touch passes between Ycaza, Coronado, and Torres just ahead of the midfield line, Torres sent a through ball between five Monterey Bay defenders to connect with Coronado, who chipped the ball over Herrera to score his first goal of the 2022 season.

• Monterey Bay would not give up without a fight, creating a clear opportunity to equalize in the 53rd minute. Chris Cortez sent a lobbed cross to the border of the six-yard box to Christian Volesky. The Monterey Bay striker opted for precision instead of power on his header, giving Miller the opportunity to react and swat the shot away from the goal.

• In the 71st minute, a handball from Crawford left Monterey Bay with a man down for the rest of the match. This advantage allowed the Toros to control the ball and the clock for the final 20 minutes to earn their first victory since their 2-1 victory over Sacramento Republic on April 23.

What this means for RGV FC

With the victory over Monterey Bay Union, the Toros stayed in 11th place in the Western Conference race. RGV FC will return to H-E-B Park on Saturday, May 21 to take on San Diego Loyal in their quest to return to playoff position.