SD Loyal will continue road stretch with match at LA Galaxy II next Saturday
EDINBURG, Texas (May 21, 2022) – San Diego Loyal SC allowed a pair of second half goals in a 2-1 loss against host Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Saturday night at H-E-B Park Stadium.
Kyle Vassell converted a penalty kick in the 37th minute to give coach Landon Donovan’s team a 1-0 lead but it wasn’t enough as the home side found the net in the 76th and 80th minute.
Emilio Ycaza scored twice for RGVFC and his game-winner came in dramatic fashion. The ball appeared to bounce off RGVFC defender Wahab Ackwei near the goal line and made its way across. But the score was awarded to Ycaza, who had sent in the shot.
SD Loyal goalkeeper Koke Vegas and other SD Loyal players protested that the ball didn’t completely cross the line but the call by the head referee stood.
The come-from-behind win for RGVFC (5W-6L-0D, 15 points) started with Ycaza’s first goal when he took a ball and dribbled up field with space and decided to fire a left-footed blast from 25-yards out. The shot caught Vegas off guard and crashed into the SD Loyal net for a 1-1 tie.
SD Loyal (6W-3L-2D, 20 points) took an early 1-0 lead when Kyle Vassell converted from the spot in the 37th minute for his seventh goal of the season. The striker buried his shot low and to the middle past backup goalkeeper Tyler Deric. RGVFC defender Eric Pimental took down Andrew Carleton inside the box a minute earlier to set up the SD Loyal penalty kick.
Koke Vegas blocked a penalty kick early in the match to set the tone for SD Loyal. Vegas stopped a Frank Lopez shot five minutes into the game as he dove to knock the ball down with both hands.
Donovan’s team, who had not played a match since May 7 after last week’s scheduled home affair was canceled as covered members of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC tested positive for COVID-19, continue on the road next week at LA Galaxy II on Saturday, May 28. The club’s three-match road series will conclude at New York Red Bulls II on June 2 before SD Loyal makes its long-awaited return to Torero Stadium on June 11 vs. Hartford Athletic. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and match tickets are available now on sdloyal.com.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
SD Loyal – Kyle Vassell (Penalty Kick), 37th minute: Kyle Vassell converts penalty kick with a left-footed shot down the middle. RGV 0, SD 1
RGV – Emilio Ycaza (Frank Lopez), 76th minute: Ycaza blasted a left-footed shot from about 20-yards for the score. RGV 1, SD 1
RGV – Emilio Ycaza, 80th minute: Emilio Ycaza was awarded the game-winner after his shot ricocheted around and passed the goal line. RGV 2, SD 1
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Kyle Vassell scored his seventh goal of the season, the most in the USL Championship.
