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USL San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC Defeats Charleston Battery 2-0 in Matthew Cardone's Final Match

July 2, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio FC defeated Charleston Battery 2-0 tonight, behind goals from Santiago Patiño and Ignacio Bailone. The win marked the final match for San Antonio native Matthew Cardone, who announced his retirement from professional soccer this week.

Patiño started the night with a goal in the 29th minute, his second of the season, to make it 1-0 at halftime. Patiño has now scored twice in just five matches played this season.

In the 66th minute, SAFC would double the lead after Bailone connected with Justin Dhillon for Bailone's second goal in as many matches. The goal was Bailone's second of the season, with his first coming on Tuesday as the game-winner against FC Tulsa.

The assist from Dhillon was his fourth of the season, tying PC for the team lead. Dhillon assisted on Bailone's goal on Tuesday as well.

In the 77th minute, Cardone subbed on for his first appearance of the season. The San Antonio native is SAFC's all-time leader in saves, appearances and minutes played, and announced tonight would be his final match before retiring from professional soccer.

Cardone and Jordan Farr kept a clean sheet, with Charleston recording only six shots and none on target.

SAFC is off next weekend, before returning to Toyota Field on July 16 to host Atlanta United FC 2. The match kicks off at 8:00 p.m. CT, with tickets on sale now at SanAntonioFC.com or the San Antonio FC app.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Santiago Patiño 29'

SAFC: 2-0, Ignacio Bailone (Assisted by Justin Dhillon) 66'

Disciplinary Summary:

CHS: Yellow Card (Geobel Perez) 24'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Jasser Khmiri) 31'

CHS: Yellow Card (Matt Sheldon) 70'

CHS: Yellow Card (Romario Piggott) 81'

CHS: Yellow Card (Enoch Kwakwa) 88'

Attendance: 7,044

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Jordan Farr (Matt Cardone 77'); D: Mitchell Taintor, Jasser Khmiri (Saad Abdul-Salaam 84'), Fabien Garcia, Shannon Gomez, Connor Maloney; M: PC (captain), Mohammed Abu; F: Samuel Adeniran (Ignacio Bailone 60'), Santiago Patiño (Nicky Hernandez 45'), Justin Dhillon

Substitutions not used: Deshane Beckford, Jordan Ayimbila, Ates Diouf

Postgame Notes:

SAFC moves to 13-3-1 on the season with 40 points, leading the USL Championship.

Santiago Patiño scored his second goal of the season in just his third start.

Ignacio Bailone's goal in the 66th minute marked his second goal in as many matches, and second of the season.

Justin Dhillon assisted on Bailone's goal, after assisting on his match-winning goal against FC Tulsa on Tuesday.

The assist was Dhillon's fourth of the season, tying PC for the team lead.

SAFC keeper Matthew Cardone made his first appearance of the season in his final professional match, after announcing on Wednesday his plans to retire after tonight's match.

SAFC remains 13-0-1 on the season when scoring.

Quotes:

Head Coach Alen Marcina

(On the win heading into the bye week

"We mentioned to the guys at the end, that we're exactly at the midpoint. 17

games in, we're number one in the Western Conference and number one overall. First team to 40 points ... That in itself is a big accomplishment. That being said, it's 50% of the season, we have 50% more to go. Guys have earned a little bit of a break, hopefully we get players healthy ... I'm excited for the group."

Forward Justin Dhillon

(On the win...)

"Obviously with the long break coming up it was really important for us to come in here and not take this game lightly. ... The goal is to get three points and we came in and achieved that so, we're ending the first half of the season on a high in first place."

Goalkeeper Matthew Cardone

(On playing his whole career in San Antonio...)

"It's been an amazing adventure ... All the guys in this league bounce around year to year, I'm so happy it's worked out for me here, getting to stay in my hometown and go up the ranks and be with this great club for so long. ... It's been so special, I reflected on it, which I've been doing a lot this week, it's been a really special experience and it means a lot to me. I'm never going to forget it."

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