EDINBURG, Texas – Memo Rodriguez scored twice as Rio Grande Valley FC took a 3-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Wednesday night, earning the Toros their first victory at H-E-B Park and second consecutive win overall. The Toros (2-2-0, 6pts) had the better chances early in the contest, and took the lead in the 18th minute when Memo Rodriguez read a back-pass to the goalkeeper to lob home a first-time finish from 15 yards. Rodriguez doubled the advantage a minute before halftime as he fired a shot into the top-left corner from just inside the penalty area. Less than a minute into the second half, though, the Switchbacks (1-1-2, 5pts) pulled a goal back as Chris James knocked home the rebound after Aaron King’s header came back off the right post. The Toros almost restored a two-goal lead when Ruben Luna’s powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Jackson 10 minutes later, but Camilo Monroy made it 3-1 in the 64th minute as his shot from the center of the penalty area deflected home. Jackson made another big save with 15 minutes to go to deny Todd Wharton’s volley, tipping his effort onto the crossbar, but the Toros' defense was rarely threatened down the stretch as the hosts earned the victory.

Scoring:

18’ – RGV – Memo Rodriguez

44’ – RGV – Memo Rodriguez

46’ – COS – Chris James

64’ – RGV – Camilo Monroy (Eric Bird)

Three Things That Matter:

1. After making his debut in Major League Soccer for the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, Memo Rodriguez looked like a man full of confidence as he notched a brace for the Toros, including the club’s first goal at H-E-B Park. Rodriguez, who had six goals and seven assists for RGVFC a season ago, showed a deft touch with his lobbed finish for the opener as he was one step ahead to intercept a back-pass, and then blasted home the second giving Switchbacks goalkeeper Dan Jackson little chance. Performances like this make it feel like Rodriguez could see more minutes with the Dynamo sooner rather than later.

2. Colorado Springs needed a quick response, and it found one immediately after the halftime break with its first really good chance of the game. Aaron King outmaneuvered his defender well to create space for a cross by Masta Kacher, and almost bagged his second goal in as many games when his header came back off the right post. The rebound was kind to the Switchbacks, though, allowing Chris James to spring forward to notch his first goal for the club.

3. As quickly as the Switchbacks got back into the game, however, the Toros wrested back control. Ruben Luna went close when he fired a shot that was well turned over the bar by Switchbacks goalkeeper, but in the 64th minute the Toros’ Camilo Monroy was rewarded with a nice slice of good fortune as his effort deflected home from 14 yards. Making his second start, the young Colombian showed a natural inclination to find one-on-one matchups out wide on the left, and while the Switchbacks defense won out more often than not, the threat he brought could bring more nervous moments as the Toros continue their home-stand next Saturday night.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Memo Rodriguez, Rio Grande Valley FC – Rodriguez’s pair of goals led the Toros to a second consecutive victory as the team continued to rebound from its slow start to the season