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USL San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC Earns First Road Win of the Season, Defeating Switchbacks 3-2

July 17, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS - San Antonio FC (3-3-6) defeated the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (5-5-2) 3-2 on the road on Saturday afternoon. Two goals from Nathan and a season-high eight saves from Matthew Cardone helped earn the first road win of the season for the Alamo City club.

"It was a very important win for us, as well as to score three goals against a very good and organized team who has some of the best attackers," said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. "We felt as a collective that our pressing actions were very good, particularly in the first half. We had moments we have to be better at, and we have to continue to press teams for 90-plus minutes. Scoring three goals is good against a strong opponent, but we also created a number of opportunities on which we have to be more clinical."

SAFC opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Nathan. After nearly scoring just minutes earlier, the forward was found by teammate Emil Cuello with a through bal before firing past the Switchbacks keeper. Colorado Springs would then equalize in the 14th minute after Hadji Barry got on the end of a loose ball in the box to just squeeze it past Cardone.

San Antonio regained the lead in the 24th minute after a shot from Jose Gallegos hit the hand of a defender in the box, giving SAFC the penalty. The midfielder and captain PC stepped up and buried the spot kick in his first game back from injury. PC recorded four tackles, one chance created and a 77.4 percent passing accuracy in 56 minutes in his first match since May 29 vs. RGV.

SAFC was awarded another panelty after defender Sam Gleadle was taken down in the box. This time, Nathan stepped up in the 43rd minute and buried the penalty past the diving goalkeeper to give SAFC the 3-2 lead and the eventual winning goal. The Switchbacks would get one back in the 73rd minute, but resolute defending and some key saves from Cardone helped earned San Antonio the win.

The club now returns home to Toyota Field where they will face New Mexico United on Wednesday, July 21 on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. The match marks the second between SAFC and New Mexico this season and first in the Alamo City.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Nathan (Emil Cuello assist) 7'

COS: 1-1, Hadji Barry 14'

SAFC: 2-1, PC (penalty) 24'

SAFC: 3-1, Nathan (penalty) 43'

COS: 3-2, Zachary Zandi (Michael Edwards assist) 73'

Disciplinary Summary:

COS: Yellow Card (Michael Edwards) 23'

SAFC: Yellow Card (PC) 36'

COS: Yellow Card () 41'

COS: Yellow Card (Jimmy Ockford) 57'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Liam Doyle) 63'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Shandon Hopeau) 88'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Matthew Cardone) 90'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Sam Gleadle) 90'

SAFC: Yellow Card (Emil Cuello) 90'

Attendance: 4,875

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Chris Lema, Axel Sjoberg, Jasser Khmiri (Liam Doyle 54'), Sam Gleadle; M: PC (c) (Justin Dhillon 54'), Cam Lindley, Marcus Epps (Shandon Hopeau 71'), Emil Cuello, Jose Gallegos (Leo Torres 81'); F: Nathan

Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Joaquin Varela

Postgame Notes:

SAFC earned its first road win of the season and first in Colorado Springs in club history...with the win, SAFC is now 4-3-4 against the Switchbacks and 1-3-2 at Weidner Field

SAFC forward Nathan was named SWBC co-Man of the Match after scoring two goals including one from the penalty spot...the goals marked his first league strikes of the season, but fourth in the last three games when you include the SAFC International Showcase...the brace was the first time an SAFC player has scored at least two goals in a game since Santiago Patino turned the trick on 5/1 vs. COS...marked the 14th brace in SAFC history

SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone was also named SWBC co-Man of the Match after making a season-high eight saves...his eight saves also mark the second-most in club history and in Cardone's career...Cardone holds the joint record with nine saves in a match that occurred on 7/30/16 at SKCII

SAFC midfielder Emil Cuello recorded an assist in the victory, his team-leading third of the season...Cuello added two key passes, seven tackles and 10 possessions gained to go with a 78.1 percent passing accuracy...the midfielder also made a team-high 25 passes in the opposition half

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