Sports stats

USL San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC Defeats Real Monarchs 3-2 in Matt Cardone's 100th SAFC Match

September 2, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio FC (8-5-6) defeated Real Monarchs SLC (4-12-4) 3-2 on Wednesday night to earn the club's sixth win in their last eight matches. SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone became the second player in club history to reach 100 appearances in all competitions and Kortne Ford scored his first goal for the club to help bring home the three points.

"Matt is a great example for all aspiring players," said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. "His 100th game for the club is an incredible milestone and we are incredibly proud of him.

"We definitely controlled the game. We made it difficult on ourselves with the amount of opportunities we created; you have to put them in the back of the net. Guys earned the three points, but unfortunately, we didn't execute at the level we would have liked. At the same time, I'm proud of the guys. Its back-to-back wins which is not easy to do in this conference."

Despite the San Antonio native Cardone featuring in the spotlight in his 100th match, it was another Alamo City native who would get SAFC off and running in the match. Midfielder Jose Gallegos picked up one of Chris Lema's four key passes on the night and smartly turned in the box to finish with his left foot in the 27th minute. SAFC conceded early in the second half but got the lead right back in the 75th minute when Ford capitalized on a loose ball in the box and side-footed it calmly into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead. SAFC got its third when Marcus Epps's deflected strike in the 79th minute looped into the empty net. Despite a late own goal by SAFC, the club would go on to win its third straight match.

Cardone follows Greg Cochrane as the only two players to appear in at least 100 matches for the club. The goalkeeper will match Cochrane with two more games played and can pass him on Sept. 11 at Real Monarchs SLC. Along with his club-record 96 regular season games, Cardone has appeared in three Open Cup matches and one USL playoff match. The MacArthur and Trinity alum originally made his SAFC debut on May 7, 2016, against RGVFC.

With the win, SAFC has now defeated every single Mountain Division oppoenent in their last six wins, that have all come in the last eight matches. The Alamo City club will now prepare to face just their third Eastern Conference opponent ever this Saturday when the Pittsburgh RiverHounds visit Toyota Field at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Jose Gallegos (Chris Lema assist) 27'

SLC: 1-1, Ibrahim Bance (Malik Johnson assist) 57'

SAFC: 2-1, Kortne Ford 75'

SAFC: 3-1, Marcus Epps (Nathan assist) 79'

SLC: 3-2, own goal (Mitch Taintor) 90'

Disciplinary Summary:

SLC: Yellow Card (Julio Benitez) 1'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Nathan) 9'

SLC: Yellow Card (Ibrahim Bance) 71'

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Connor Maloney, Jasser Khmiri (Joaquin Varela 45'), Mitchell Taintor, Kortne Ford, Chris Lema; M: PC (c) (Cam Lindley 45'), Mohammed Abu, Marcus Epps (Leo Torres 84'), Jose Gallegos (Justin Dhillon 60'); F: Nathan

Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Shandon Hopeau, Ollie Wright

Postgame Notes:

SAFC won its sixth game in the last eight matches and extended their home unbeaten streak against Real Monarchs SLC to six matches...SAFC is now 4-0-2 all-time against the Monarchs at Toyota Field

Since the SAFC International Showcase, SAFC has won six of their last eight matches, beating every single Mountain Division opponent over the course of that time fame...SAFC outscored their opponents 16-6 in those six wins

SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone made his 100th appearances in all competitions for SAFC in the win...Cardone holds the record for most USL regular season appearances (96) to go with three Open Cup matches and one USL playoff match...Cardone trails former SAFC defender Greg Cochrane in all-time appearances...Cochrane amassed 102 in his SAFC career from 2016-18...if Cardone starts every game he will be on pace to match that record on 9/7 at ATX and pass it on 9/11 at Real Monarchs SLC...Cardone's first appearance for SAFC came on 5/7/16 vs. RGVFC at Toyota Field

SAFC defender Kortne Ford was named the SWBC Man of the Match after he started his second match since joining on loan and scored the first goal in his SAFC career...the goal marked his first since 2017 and second overall in his professional career...Ford also added two tackles, two clearances and one interception

SAFC midfielder Marcus Epps scored his second goal in as many games and his fourth on the season...Epps added five shots, two on target and one key pass in the victory

SAFC midfielder Jose Gallegos scored his third goal of the season to go with three key passes and eight successful dribbles...Chris Lema led the team with four key passes while adding an assist, while forward Nathan recorded his second assist of the season

San Antonio FC recorded 16 corner kicks on the night, marking the most in team recorded history and most since they recorded 15 on 3/16/19 vs. Timbers 2...SAFC also added 16 shots tonight, which is tied for the season-high

Check out the San Antonio FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 2, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent San Antonio FC Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central