USL San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC Defeats Western Conference Leaders Real Monarchs 2-1

Published on September 4, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


SALT LAKE CITY, UT - San Antonio FC (11-9-7) beat Real Monarchs SLC (17-8-2) 2-1 at Zions Bank Stadium on Monday night, handing the Western Conference leaders their first loss at home this season while completing a season sweep over the club, after goals from Ever Guzman and Lance Laing.

"We're extremely proud of the way the players applied themselves from start to finish tonight," SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. "We spoke about a few things before the game and needed to improve on both sides of the ball, and tonight I think we achieved that goal. Earning points away in this league is very valuable, and especially against a team who has gone undefeated on this field."

SAFC opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Guzman found the back of the net with a header following a corner kick from Laing. The goal marks the seventh of the season for the striker and 11th overall for the club, tying midfielder Rafa Castillo for the club all-time scoring record.

The Monarchs equalized in the 64th minute after defender Konrad Plewa slotted the ball past SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone following a set piece. The game tilted in the Alamo City club's favor yet again just two minutes later when Laing found the back of the net with a curler from the top of the box to make it 2-1.

The goal and assist mark Laing's second in both categories in as many matches and have come in just three appearances since the Jamaican midfielder joined SAFC on loan from FC Cincinnati on Aug. 23. Laing is now tied with midfielder Ethan Bryant for the third-most assists on the team this season.

The victory marks a season sweep over the Monarchs for SAFC after previously earning a 4-2 win against the club on July 21. SAFC is now 3-1-1 all-time against the club, handing it its only two losses at home since the start of the 2017 season.

SAFC look to build on its two consecutive victories as the club returns to USL action on Saturday, Sept. 8 as they host Phoenix Rising FC at Toyota Field.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Ever Guzman (Lance Laing assist) 31'

SLC: 1-1, Konrad Plewa (Justin Portillo assist) 64'

SAFC: 2-1, Lance Laing (Omar Gordon assist) 66'

Disciplinary Summary:

SLC: Yellow Card (Rhys Williams 40')

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mike Seth 63')

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Mike Seth, Darnell King, Cyprian Hedrick, Greg Cochrane (c); M: Mikey Lopez, Pecka (Maxi Rodriguez 65'), Lance Laing (Jose Escalante 79'), Connor Presley, Omar Gordon (Kyle Murphy 90'); F: Ever Guzman

Substitutions Not Used: Armando Quezada, Ryan Roushandel, Ethan Bryant, Ryan Felix

Postgame Notes:

San Antonio FC won back-to-back matches with its victory over Real Monarchs SLC...SAFC improves to 3-1-1 against the Monarchs all-time...SAFC sweeps the season series against SLC, outscoring them 6-3

Since the start of the 2017 season, Real Monarchs have lost just two home matches, both to San Antonio FC...SAFC defeated the Monarchs 2-1 on 9/2/17 at Rio Tinto Stadium before winning tonight and giving SLC their first league loss at the new Lions Bank Stadium

San Antonio FC forward Ever Guzman scored his seventh goal of the USL season tonight...his seven goals are the second-most in a single season by an SAFC player...Guzman has now scored 11 regular season goals, which is tied with Rafa Castillo for the most in SAFC history

SAFC midfielder Lance Laing earned SWBC Man of the Match honors after recording his second goal and second assist for SAFC this season...marks the second straight game with a goal and assist for Laing...Laing is now tied for the third most assists on the club and the midfielder also recorded two key passes

SAFC midfielder Omar Gordon recorded his second assist of the season and his second assist in as many games...both of Gordon's assists have come in wins

San Antonio FC is now 7-1-1 when scoring first and 7-2-2 when scoring in the first half...the club is now 6-0-0 when scoring in both halves

Check out the San Antonio FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 4, 2018


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