Match Recap: Republic FC 2, RGV Toros FC 2

EDINBURG, Texas (March 31, 2018) — A stoppage-time own goal earned Sacramento Republic FC a 2-2 draw against Rio Grande Valle Toros FC on Saturday night and extended its unbeaten streak in league play to 2-0-1. The draw also preserves Sacramento’s undefeated record against RGV since the Texan club began USL play in 2016.

The first half of Saturday’s match was characterized by long spells of possession from the home side and Republic FC struggling to build play beyond the center of the pitch.

RGV captain Todd Wharton nearly put Toros FC ahead in the 32nd minute, firing a shot from the edge of the box that struck the top of the woodwork and rebounded away from goal.

A few minutes later, Republic FC suffered a blow when midfielder Jaime Villarreal had to be substituted due to an apparent hamstring injury.

Just at the stroke of halftime, Cameron Iwasa had Republic’s best chance to go ahead on the scoreboard. Adam Moffat intercepted an RGV pass in midfield and played it to Keven Alemán. The Costa Rican split the home defense with an incisive through ball to Iwasa in the box, but the forward fired his shot over the bar.

Five minutes into the second half, RGV was awarded a penalty kick after defender Cole Seiler was deemed to have made excessive shoulder contact with RGV forward Aldo Quintanilla in the box. Wharton stepped up to break the deadlock and put RGV ahead 1-0.

Republic FC had a chance to equalize when the call went the other way and they were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute. However, Aleman’s shot was saved by Nicolas Corti.

The deficit was made greater just three minutes later when RGV’s Jorginho James fired home a powerful shot from the edge of the box following a Republic FC turnover on the right wing.

Sacramento responded less than a minute later after earning a free kick on the left wing. Villyan Bijev played it short to Moffat who lobbed in a cross that Iwasa headed over the keeper and into the back of the net from a difficult angle.

With the score 2-1, the Indomitable Cub continued to push for the equalizer and broke through in the second minute of stoppage time. Moffat was once again involved, whipping in a dangerous cross from the left wing that RGV defender Conor Donovan cleared into his own goal to hand Republic FC a valuable point on the road and extend their unbeaten streak against the Texan side.

Republic FC will look to remain undefeated in league play when they return to Sacramento to take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday, April 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available via TicketMaster.com. The match will also be broadcast live on KQCA My58, Estrella TV 58.3 and SacRepublicFC.com/matchday-guide.