Sacramento Republic FC continue their road match stretch this Saturday, July 29 as they travel to face Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PDT. Republic FC will look to collect valuable road points and stay within USL Western Conference playoff spots. For their part, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros will hope to make the most of their home field advantage and continue their three-match undefeated streak.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent.
HEAD COACH
Wilmer Cabrera was appointed as the club’s head coach last December by Houston Dynamo technical staff, who oversee football operations for RGV FC. Cabrera previously served as the U.S. Men’s U-17 head coach. In 2014 he took charge of now-defunct MLS club Chivas USA in their final year in the league. He also previously served as an assistant coach for MLS club Colorado Rapids.
MLS AFFILIATE: Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo is the Toros’ MLS affiliate for the 2016 season. The Dynamo run all the technical aspects of the club’s soccer operations, including the roster and coaching staff decisions. So far this season, nine Dynamo players have made at least one appearance with the Toros. Dynamo Homegrown midfielder Christian Lucatero has made the most appearances with the Toros this season, having played in 15 matches and recording three assists.
KEY PLAYERS
Houston Dynamo Homegrown Player Jose Memo Rodriguez signed with RGV FC ahead of the club’s first season in the USL. Rodriguez leads the club offense with six goals and two assists in 19 matches played. Rodriguez has recorded two braces in the 2016 USL season. The first came in the Toros’ 4-1 win against the Swope Park Rangers, and the second in the Toros’ last match, a 4-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on July 13.
Midfielder Charlie Ward leads the club in minutes played with 1710 minutes played, starting in all 19 of his appearances this season. The English midfielder recorded his first assist of the season in the Toros’ last match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, assisting Memo Rodriguez in the third goal of the match and helping Rodriguez complete his brace in the Toros’ 4-0 win.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Rio Grande Valley FC signed forward Ruben Luna on July 13. The 24-year-old forward is no stranger to the American game, having come up through the ranks of the FC Dallas Academy. Luna signed a Homegrown Player contract with FC Dallas in 2010, going on to make 27 career MLS appearances with the club. Luna also played in the NASL for the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2013, and most recently played for Mexican third division club Inter Playa del Carmen.
2016 SEASON SO FAR
Rio Grande Valley FC are currently on a three-match unbeaten streak, having played to two scoreless draws, first at Oklahoma City Energy FC on July 2, and later at home against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
In their most recent match, the Toros defeated Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 4-0 with a brace from Jose Memo Rodriguez and goals from TJ Casner and Emilio Garcia. Goalkeeper Calle Brown recorded his fourth shutout in six games this season with the win.
RGV FC currently sit in sixth place with 28 points on the USL Western Conference Standings, just one spot and a point below Republic FC. The Toros hold a record of 7-5-7.
SATURDAY’S MATCH
This Saturday’s match between Republic FC and Rio Grande Valley FC will be at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PDT. The match will be streamed live at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday via the USL Youtube channel. Updates will be provided via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or using #RGVvSAC.
Sacramento Republic FC continue their road match stretch this Saturday, July 29 as they travel to face Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PDT. Republic FC will look to collect valuable road points and stay within USL Western Conference playoff spots. For their part, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros will hope to make the most of their home field advantage and continue their three-match undefeated streak.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent.
HEAD COACH
Wilmer Cabrera was appointed as the club’s head coach last December by Houston Dynamo technical staff, who oversee football operations for RGV FC. Cabrera previously served as the U.S. Men’s U-17 head coach. In 2014 he took charge of now-defunct MLS club Chivas USA in their final year in the league. He also previously served as an assistant coach for MLS club Colorado Rapids.
MLS AFFILIATE: Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo is the Toros’ MLS affiliate for the 2016 season. The Dynamo run all the technical aspects of the club’s soccer operations, including the roster and coaching staff decisions. So far this season, nine Dynamo players have made at least one appearance with the Toros. Dynamo Homegrown midfielder Christian Lucatero has made the most appearances with the Toros this season, having played in 15 matches and recording three assists.
KEY PLAYERS
Houston Dynamo Homegrown Player Jose Memo Rodriguez signed with RGV FC ahead of the club’s first season in the USL. Rodriguez leads the club offense with six goals and two assists in 19 matches played. Rodriguez has recorded two braces in the 2016 USL season. The first came in the Toros’ 4-1 win against the Swope Park Rangers, and the second in the Toros’ last match, a 4-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on July 13.
Midfielder Charlie Ward leads the club in minutes played with 1710 minutes played, starting in all 19 of his appearances this season. The English midfielder recorded his first assist of the season in the Toros’ last match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, assisting Memo Rodriguez in the third goal of the match and helping Rodriguez complete his brace in the Toros’ 4-0 win.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Rio Grande Valley FC signed forward Ruben Luna on July 13. The 24-year-old forward is no stranger to the American game, having come up through the ranks of the FC Dallas Academy. Luna signed a Homegrown Player contract with FC Dallas in 2010, going on to make 27 career MLS appearances with the club. Luna also played in the NASL for the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2013, and most recently played for Mexican third division club Inter Playa del Carmen.
2016 SEASON SO FAR
Rio Grande Valley FC are currently on a three-match unbeaten streak, having played to two scoreless draws, first at Oklahoma City Energy FC on July 2, and later at home against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
In their most recent match, the Toros defeated Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 4-0 with a brace from Jose Memo Rodriguez and goals from TJ Casner and Emilio Garcia. Goalkeeper Calle Brown recorded his fourth shutout in six games this season with the win.
RGV FC currently sit in sixth place with 28 points on the USL Western Conference Standings, just one spot and a point below Republic FC. The Toros hold a record of 7-5-7.
SATURDAY’S MATCH
This Saturday’s match between Republic FC and Rio Grande Valley FC will be at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PDT. The match will be streamed live at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday via the USL Youtube channel. Updates will be provided via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or using #RGVvSAC.
