Eric Bird scored in his third straight game as the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros played to a 1-1 draw with Arizona United SC Wednesday night at the UT RGV Soccer Complex. It was a bittersweet result for the Toros, who hit the crossbar moments before Arizona United counterattacked for the equalizing goal.
RGV FC (6-4-5; 23 points) is now unbeaten in five straight home games (3-0-2) and undefeated (3-0-1) following a loss this season.
Bird earned the start after scoring in the previous two games and capitalized on the opportunity, collecting a well-timed through ball from Jose Escalante and finishing from 15 yards for a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute. It was Bird’s third goal in just 272 minutes this season.
“Eric was not an option (due to injury) for a long period (this season), but little by little he’s been involved,” RGV FC head coach Wilmer Cabrera told HoustonDynamo.com by phone. “Every game we use him he’s been dangerous and he has scored. I decided to start him, as he’s in good shape and is in good form. He played 87 minutes and I was planning on only 75 minutes as we build up his fitness, but he was very good.”
The Toros were inches away from putting the game away in the 63rd minute, as Escalante was first to the endline and played a precise pass into the path of Memo Rodriguez, whose first-time finish struck the face of the crossbar as the Dynamo Academy product narrowly missed his fifth goal of the season.
Arizona United immediately counterattacked after collecting the rebound from the crossbar, as Chris Cortez played a long ball forward and RGV FC defender Ivan Magalhaes misplayed a clearance at midfield, allowing Tyler Blackwood a free run at goal, where he finished past goalkeeper Callum Irving for the tying goal.
“We were attacking and looking for the second goal,” Cabrera said. “We dominated the game, it was clear in possession and feel. They did a good job defending and were looking for the counterattack. They sent a long forward ball and it went through the defender’s leg and he finished at the near post.”
Escalante returned from red card suspension to impact the game once again, setting up Bird’s goal for his second assist of the season and creating Rodriguez’ chance that came off the crossbar. The Honduran trained with the Dynamo last week along with midfielder TJ Casner. Normally a winger, Escalante was deployed as a forward to begin Wednesday’s match.
“Jose played as a center forward and he was very good,” Cabrera said. “The first half he had good mobility and tried some long-distance shots. He had great movement and had a great combination with Eric (Bird) when he assisted on the goal. He was moved to the left wing in the second half and created the moment for the possible second goal. He’s been the same [after training with the Dynamo]. That’s a positive mentality and attitude. He has been hungry and humble and he goes on the field and tries.”
Tied for third place in the USL’s Western Conference, the Toros host Orange County Blues FC on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. CDT. Dynamo defender Abdoulie Mansally will join RGV FC on loan for the match. The game will be streamed live here.
*Note: The Dynamo and RGV FC have a hybrid affiliation, with the Dynamo in control of all technical aspects of the soccer operation, including the construction of the roster and the coaching staff. Meanwhile, the McAllen, Texas based Rio Grande Valley Vipers run the business operations, including the current construction of a 9,400 seat soccer stadium that will resemble Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium.
