USL San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC Defeats Liga Mx Champions Santos Laguna 2-1 at Toyota Field

July 9, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX - San Antonio FC beat Liga MX champions Santos Laguna 2-1 at Toyota Field on Saturday night in front of 7,041 fans. The win marks the club's first against international opposition.

"Obviously Santos is a fantastic team and top-quality opposition," SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. "They gave us problems throughout the course of the game, but when you play with that hunger, desire, and togetherness from every man on the roster, this team has shown well. I can't speak highly enough of our players, their performance, and their efforts tonight."

Santos opened the scoring in the 16th minute of the match when forward Djaniny found himself in on goal following a wall pass from Julio Furch. The Cape Verde native then slotted the ball past SAFC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo for the 1-0 lead.

SAFC then responded immediately. Just one minute later, forward Kyle Murphy found forward Mike Seth deep in the box with a cross. Seth headed it powerfully into the back of the net past goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco to equalize. The goal marks Seth's first for the club in all competitions since joining SAFC midway through the 2017 campaign. Seth also earned SWBC Man of the Match honors for the first time following his performance on the night.

The Alamo City club then earned the winning goal in the 80th minute when forward Ever Guzman buried a shot following chaos in the box after an SAFC corner kick. The goal marks the second in all competitions this season for the Mexico native. Guzman previously scored on April 27 at Las Vegas Lights FC in USL play.

San Antonio FC returns to USL action on Saturday, July 14 as they travel to face Orange County SC for the first time this season. The club is 5-4-7 in league play so far this season.

Scoring Summary:

Santos: 1-0, Djaniny (Julio Furch assist) 16'

SAFC: 1-1, Mike Seth (Kyle Murphy assist) 17'

SAFC: 2-1, Ever Guzman 80'

Disciplinary Summary:

Santos: Yellow Card (Martin Nervo 29')

Santos: Yellow Card (Javier Abella 60')

SAFC: Yellow Card (Charlie Ward 84')

Attendance: 7,041

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Diego Restrepo (Matthew Cardone 46'); D: Darnell King (Stephen McCarthy 46'), Ryan Felix, Chris Christian, Greg Cochrane (C) (Cesar Elizondo 46'); M: Mikey Lopez, Maxi Rodriguez (Charlie Ward 73'), Mike Seth, Sonny Guadarrama (Alex Bruce 46'), Ethan Bryant (Jose Escalante 46'); F: Kyle Murphy (Ever Guzman 62')

Substitutions Not Used: Lee Johnston, Ryan Roushandel, Rafa Castillo, Pecka, Omar Gordon, Cyprian Hedrick, Gianluca Cuomo, Connor Presley

Postgame Notes:

San Antonio FC earned their first win in club history over an international club opponent, defeating Santos Laguna 2-1...marked the second friendly between the two sides (also 7/8/17 at Toyota Field)

San Antonio FC forward Mike Seth scored the equalizing goal in the first half and was one of four players to play all 90 minutes...Seth earned SWBC Man of the Match for the club after scoring his first goal in all competitions for SAFC

SAFC forward Ever Guzman scored the winning goal in the 80th minute, marking his second goal for San Antonio in all competitions in 2018 for the Liga MX veteran

SAFC midfielder Sonny Guadarrama started and played in 45 minutes for SAFC...Guadarrama previously spent time with Santos Laguna from 2006-07

SAFC used 18 of its 26 rostered players on the night, including five subs to start the second half

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 9, 2018


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