Tulsa Roughnecks FC Head Coach David Vaudreuil wanted his side to approach its first road game of the season as though it was just another contest at ONEOK Field.

On Monday, after the side had returned with a 1-0 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC at H-E-B Park in the bag, Vaudreuil was delighted with how the side had performed to earn its first road win since last July.

“I think the team, you could see it in their demeanor after the game,” Vaudreuil said during the Pop & Vaud Show on the Roughnecks’ Facebook page. “They were excited, it was a real good bonding moment, one of those things as coach you take a mental note of and file away for another time.”

After having to absorb pressure in the first meeting between the clubs this season, the Roughnecks edged the Toros in possession, passes attempted and passing accuracy as the sides finished equal with 12 shots apiece at H-E-B Park. In hot conditions in South Texas, the Roughnecks were able to carry more of the play until the final 15 minutes

“I think it was a little bit of good play, but it was a lot of fitness,” said Vaudreuil. “It was in the 80s when they actually kicked off the game, but that was what we wanted. We wanted to dominate possession, we wanted to dominate field position and we just wanted to play like it was a home game, not a road game.”

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With a number of near-misses to take the lead in the first half – in particular a pair of chances that fell to forward Ian Svantesson, one of which went high and another which was saved – the Roughnecks could have taken a firmer hold on the game.

With a clearly defined approach as to the manner in which he wants his side to attack games, though, the Roughnecks are looking in good shape as they prepare for a trip to Colorado Springs after their upcoming bye this weekend.

“I was positive in the live version of the game, but then after watching the video we did a lot of things really well,” said Vaudreuil. “Even though some of it didn’t come off and get the final result you wanted it too, we always say we want to get a lot of numbers around the ball, we want to be moving off the ball, and we want to be playing in their end, and if you look at those three things, we did it.”