EDINBURG, Texas – Didier Crettenand scored a pair of penalty kicks as Orange County Blues FC rallied to take a 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Sunday night at the UT RGV Soccer Complex. The Toros came close to an early lead when Christian Lucatero was denied by a fine save from Josh Cohen. The Blues goalkeeper got caught out on the opening goal six minutes before the break, though, as a spinning ball off a challenge at the top of the six yard area eluded him and came back to Kyle Murphy for a tap-in finish. The Blues got the goal back five minutes later from the penalty spot as Crettenand scored after a foul in the area. Neither side was able to create many chances in the second half. Toros goalkeeper Callum Irving made a pair of saves, and the Blues defended solidly as the Toros looked to attack at speed when they had the chance. But in stoppage time, the Blues were awarded a second penalty kick, and Crettenand was again ruthless from the spot for the winner.

Scoring:
39’  – RGV – Kyle Murphy
44’ – OC – Didier Crettenand (PK)
90+’ – OC – Didier Crettenand (PK)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. After falling on Thursday night in San Antonio, it was imperative for the Blues to take something from the second game of their trip to Texas. Until the closing minutes, a point would have definitely done, but Didier Crettenand’s second penalty kick of the game allowed the Blues to take a big three points back to California as it moved back into the top eight as it reached the midway point of the season.

• 2. The Toros definitely could have taken something from this contest, but a pair of defensive lapses cost them dearly after taking the lead on a fortuitous bounce in the penalty area of their own. Rio Grande Valley is an entertaining team to watch, particularly at home, and should still be a solid proposition to reach the playoffs, but they’ll have to cut out the mental errors with five consecutive home games coming after their trip to OKC next weekend that will give the team a chance to push up the Western standings.

• 3. Sometimes, a team can create its own luck. After a major blunder allowed the Toros to take the lead in the first half, Orange County goalkeeper Josh Cohen more than made up for it in the 89th minute on Sunday as he made an outstanding save from Memo Rodriguez off a corner kick to keep the game level. A handful of minutes, Cohen’s save didn’t only save a point for the Blues, but allowed them to take all three points, a fine redemption however you look at it for the goalkeeper.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Didier Crettenand, Orange County Blues FC – Crettenand kept his cool from the spot on Sunday night, particularly in stoppage time, as he gave the visitors a big three points on the road.

Upcoming Games:

Rio Grande Valley FC at OKC Energy FC – July 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium

Orange County Blues FC at LA Galaxy II – July 2, 10:30 p.m. ET, StubHub Center