Bold Defeat RGV, Secure Copa Tejas

The Austin Bold FC defeated the Rio Grande Valley Toros Sunday night by a score of 3-0 to strengthen their fourth place position in the United Soccer League Western Conference and win the Copa Tejas. 

Copa Tejas was formed by supporters of San Antonio FC (SAFC), to be awarded at the end of the 2019 USL Championship regular season to the Texas team with the best head-to-head record among the four Texas clubs.  The clubs are the SAFC, Austin Bold FC, Rio Grande Valley Toros and the El Paso Locomotive FC. 

The Bold and the Toros alternated attacks for much of the first half until Thomas de Villardi of the Bold delivered a crossing pass to Ema Twumasi who left footed a shot to the bottom left corner of the goal. Austin led 1-0. 

Controversy arose in the final minute of the first half on a breakaway by Austin Bold midfielder Ema Twumasi.  Rio Grande Valley goalkeeper Nicholas Corti left the box to intercept Twumasi and was charged with a hand ball while making a tackle.  The penalty resulted in a red card. 

Austin controlled the remainder of the match with the man-advantage. 

Forward Andre Lima extended the Bold’s lead on a picture-perfect goal shot from close range to the center of the goal in the 60thminute. 

The final goal of the match came in the 87thminute by Isaac Promise who substituted for Twumasi.  Promise fielded a corner kick deflected by George Acosta to find the back of the net from six yards out.